Newsgroups: rec.games.int-fiction
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From: jwj001@acad.drake.edu
Subject: Infocom Ratings
Message-ID: <1993Apr25.110125.1@acad.drake.edu>
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Organization: Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1993 17:01:25 GMT

Everyone views games differently.  Some find games labled "Expert" to be very
simple, while others struggle for weeks with a "Standard" game.  But in
evaluating the difficulty of games, remember that Infocom always wrote games to
a certain taste.  For instance, Starcross was easier if you understood how some
elements of chemistry worked, and basic symbol logic.  Some people don't
understand how that works, and consequently have a more difficult time with the
game.  Suspended was difficult, because it required the player to seperate the
senses of humans into seperate parts, and manipulate them accordingly.  It was
frustrating (to me, at least) to be able to "see" something via Iris, but not
have Waldo around to move or push it, because it was too heavy.  This also
holds true for non-science fiction games.  Border Zone required the mind of a
spy, and barring several trial-and-error type saves, it is extremely difficult
to solve quickly.  And believe it or not, some people may even have found
Spellbreaker to be less then difficult, if they figured out just how in the
hell the magic worked.  Too each their own, I say.

-- 

John Jordan
jwj001@acad.drake.edu

"Be Free With Your Tempo, Be Free..." - Queen
