Infocom released Lane Mastodon, the world's first "interactive comic book" in 1988 with little fanfare and even lesser reaction from the gaming public. Apart from being the first electronic comic book, Lane Mastodon and all subsequent Infocomics allows the viewer to change perspective between characters, thus providing an excellent replay value as you can replay the story from a different perspective. Three more stories followed before Infocom decided to halt the unsuccessful venture. The lackluster response was perhaps due to the fact that the comics-- with the exception of ZorkQuest, are based on original premises created by Infocom designers. Furthermore, the then-primitive graphics technology was not conducive to engaging animations. But then again, the dismal sales of Marvel Comics CD-ROM comics today may be suggesting that comics are best suited to print medium after all. ZorkQuest 2 picks up where ZorkQuest 1 left off: Egreth Castle and the land of Quendor once again found peace... but soon new troubles start brewing again after Moog, a mischievous young sorceress, stole an ancient spellbook that would give her powers unmatched by any other sorceror. It's up to a band of four brave souls, including the royal wizard Frobwit, to vanquish the evil once again. It's more captivating and longer than ZorkQuest 1. Reviewed by: Underdogs |