CRYSTAL QUEST by C. Chadwick ([email protected])
A Graphic Adventure for the 48k ZX Spectrum


BACKGROUND
----------

Crystal Quest is a graphic adventure game I wrote back in the 80's using
PAW (Professional Adventure Writer). I actually signed a contract to have it published
by a company called CRL but - for reasons I'm still not sure about - it never did
reach the shop shelves :(
It was originally called 'The Dreamland Trial' but CRL insisted I change the name
for publication. Whatever!


WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO
-------------------

I won't repeat word-for-word the original story I wrote for the game here because,
frankly, it made me cringe with embarrassment reading it now :)

Basically, you have fallen asleep (probably from reading this!) where the sandman
has trapped you in a dream world. To escape (and finish the game), you must prove
to the sandman that you are a worthy adventurer by finding his three crystal
treasures (a ring, a staff and an hourglass). 'Simply' return these to him and the
game is complete!


SPECIAL COMMANDS
----------------

In addition to supporting all the usual adventure commands, Crystal Quest
features many other commands that should prove useful. These are listed below.

MAP - An on-screen map is displayed showing all locations visited and possible
exits leading from them. The flashing point on the map shows the location
the player is currently at. A movement key is also displayed. As Crystal
Quest is played in real time, with time passing if nothing is typed,
this command is also useful for pausing the game for thinking sessions etc.

RAMSAVE - Saves the players game position to memory.

RAMLOAD - Loads a previously RAMSAVED game position.

SAVE - Saves the players game position to tape.

LOAD - Loads a previously SAVED game position.

WORDS - Turns off the graphics so only the text description of a location is
displayed. This is kept at the top of the screen and all other text
scrolls underneath it.

PICTURES - Turns the graphics back on again.

EXAMINE ALL - Lists and examines all the objects the player is currently holding
but not wearing.

GET ALL - Picks up every available object at the current location.

DROP ALL - Drops every object the player is currently holding
but not wearing.

SCORE - Gives a percentage of the adventure completed so far.

INVENTORY - Lists what the player is currently holding and wearing.

QUIT - Ends the game.

LISTEN SHELL - May give a clue to solving some of the trickier puzzles.

WAIT TEN - Has the equivalent effect of entering the command WAIT ten times.
Useful for speeding up the process of waiting for a certain time
of day etc.


ACCEPTABLE VOCABULARY ABBREVIATIONS - Shown in brackets
-------------------------------------------------------

GET (G) NORTH (N)

PUT (P) SOUTH (S)

MAP (M) EAST (E)

INVENTORY (I) WEST (W)

EXAMINE (X) UP (U)

RAMSAVE (RS) DOWN (D)

RAMLOAD (RL) WAIT (Z)