Lost Treasures of Infocom App Reviews

...and until theyre included (within reason) I cant give it a full 5 stars, even though this app IS excellent and deserving of a 5-star rating. Now, I dont think anyones really expecting to see Shogun, due to some legal issues (although if it were to get included at some point, feelies and all, that would be worth well over 5 stars. Too bad 5s the limit). Ditto for Hitchhikers (even though its how I and many others came across Infocom and text adventures in the first place), and I guess not including Bureaucracy or even Sherlock is kind of understandable for the same reason. However, those issues are the only conceivable reason not to have Nord And Bert in the collection, and thats a stretch at best. As for the rest, except for technical issues, which could be resolved, there seems to be NO reason not to include them. Leaving Arthur and Journey out seems pointless enough, but excluding Zork Zero and Beyond Zork is flat-out INEXCUSABLE. I am expecting to see at least a few of these titles added at some point in the future, sooner rather than later. Hopefully, they will also be free to those who already bought the full library, or at the very least drastically reduced in price, and even then only if the library goes up in price and the cost just makes up the difference. As for the feelies, some of them are hard to see well, and some new scans of the game packaging would be useful (although its kind of amusing to see where price tag stickers have been scratched off and things like that). Other than that, some of the pages in the instructions are in the wrong order. Everything else in this app is pretty much prefect, though, and everyone who likes puzzles or good writing in games, or adventure games in general, should get this.

Incredible job! Its great to see these games again, and even better that such a good translation to touch was designed for it.

So the other app to compare this to is window frotz which is an open source project that plays a vast array of IF games. Pros of IF games might go towards more to frotz, but this app is just as great, if not some what better than frotz. All of the avlible goodies in this app can easily be found and downloaded online for frotz and even more games can be played on frotz. But what this app offers is a unique and creative iphone interface for IF games. My two favorite features which cannot be found on any other frotz machine are the compass for the directions and the 3D model goods from the original games. You cannot find these kind of marks for the best of infocom games. Bassically what Im saying is spen the 10$ for an impressive collection of games.

You start out with one game which is zork 1 which is the perfect game to last intill you by more games. Love zork, I remember when I got my first zork game.

The developers have created the most perfect Infocom port for a tablet computer. I thought I might have to use a Bluetooth keyboard but its been an hour already and I dont seem to need one! Amazing experience. Maps, invisiclues, everything done perfectly!

I played these games in the 80s and reviewed them for a monthly publication back then. I have been trying for a long time to find a way to import them into my ipad. Now, Activision has done it for me. This is easily the best app I have ever downloaded from the App Store. I can even change the text, change the color of the background, and change the size of the text. This will keep busy for a long time. Thank you Activision!!!

Okay Activision, Im waiting for LToI 2 to pick up the rest of the library. Cant wait for Hithhikers Guide, Sherlock, or Nord and Burt!! This app is definitely worth the investment!

I didnt understand anything about this game. How can i play? What am i supposed to do? Please help! Thanx

Simply put, there is no better collection of text adventures to be found bar none on iOS! Until now we had Frotz to fall back on. Frotz plays many more Text Adventures, but LT beats it hands down when it comes to details! Details that include being able to change the font size within the game, a graphic directional compass and many other nice touches! Easily the best $10 Ive spent on an entertainment app in the App Store! IMO there isnt a better deal anywhere on these Infocom treasures. Have you seen how much the CD and disk collections (for computers) are going for on market sites? As much as $200-$250...really? Theres no way Id pay that much for something so abstract! Heres hoping this is just the beginning of a resurgence of a genre of gaming thats been long forgotten but by a few!

Im so excited that Zork is back! Like one of the previous reviewers I wish Hitchhikers was part of this set, but maybe sometime in the future. I would have given a 5 but whenever I try to look a a map it crashes. Please fix this!

I remembered playing these text based games with family. Having a computer back in the early 80s was a big deal, and my cousins and other family would get together to try to play these text based games. Hours sitting around drawing maps and trying to figure out puzzles. I think negative reviews are probably from younger gamers who may not understand the game, and who are probably use to instant gratification. These games are not easy, very challenging. Here are a few tips for those with problems: Read the manual! Draw a map of where you are going, and what and where you drop items. (Luckily maps are included in this electronic version, so convenient. You might need dropped items later) Try everything and anything, you would be surprised by what zork can recognize. Carry the sword in Zork and if it glows blue, save the game! Your about to see a monster! Save often so you can reload if you do something wrong. And finally if you cant figure something out, try looking at the invisiclues to see if it can help. With the game, maps, manuals, and invisiclues added, this is a great buy. I think its a great way for current serious gamers to see how these classics were done.

Its great to see some of the greatest infocom games on the iTunes Store however its success could be a lot more if it included Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy

Its really hard to purchase these games, and the used versions are pricey. So I was happy that they were made available through this app. High nostalgia value for me; I remember Planetfall (Floyd!) as my favorite from way back.

I grew up with these amazing games. This is such an excellent way to explore them on the iPad. I love the manuals, maps, and feelies here. Awesome! Two wishes - that you could save files with names versus number slots (unlimited saves would be nice, too...), and that your saved files could sync from iPad to iPhone.

Nice app. Please add more text color customization -- I want retro green.

The early days of computing featured a more elegant style of game that actually required use of ones imagination. The Infocom games are absolute classics - each a wonderful interactive novel that allows your brain (not your graphics card) to do the heavy lifting. Highly recommended!!!

I agree with all the good things people have said about this app--and am genuinely stoked to be able to play all these games in one place, but Id like to add a couple things that I wish Id known before slapping down my $9.99 : 1. Once you swipe an invisiclues answer and make it visible, theres no way to re-hide it. Not a big deal I guess, if you are the only one using the app. But if someone else wants to play the game, the whole reveal-hints-bit-by-bit idea goes out the window. The only workaround Ive found is deleting the app and reinstalling it. What a pain. 2. The in-game maps are awesome, except for the one game that I bought the app to play in the first place: Suspended. As you may recall, Suspended actually came with its own map (instead of requiring you to make it as you played like in all the other games) and little markers for each of the six robots you control so that you can keep track of where each robot is. It was almost impossible to play the game without this aid. Guess what? The app has the map, but no markers or any other way to keep track of the robots. So its almost totally useless in that regard. Maybe docking two stars might be excessive, but the first seems like it would be an easy fix, and the second makes the game unplayable without a printed out map which defeats the whole point of having it on a portable tablet. If these two points get resolved my rating would be 5 out of 5.

Ive bought every version of "Treasures" and still have yet to play them all, but Id gladly give Wishbringer a 3rd try!

I cut my teeth on text adventures back in the late 70s & early 80s. It is great to revisit these and play the ones I missed or never completed. They still hold fast as quality games. My only complaint/request would be to see iCloud and/or Dropbox integrated in the save system. Not having access to my saves from iPhone to iPad is a major bummer. Id love to have the ability to continue my game while sitting around sans iPad.

If youve ever had even a passing, cursory interest in text adventures, get this app. For fans, its even closer to a book than ever before.