Classic pirate text adventure
The name Scott Adams is not one of the best known in games design circles, but for those in the field of interactive fiction and text-based adventures, the man is legendary and highly influential and he is even credited with starting the entire gaming industry. If you've played and enjoyed games like Zork or Planetfall, then Return to Pirate's Island 2 is a great investment of your time. As the name suggests, this is a pirate-based adventure that takes players on a wonderful journey of the imagination as they explore exotic locations in their classic search for treasure, solving puzzles, interacting with various colourful characters and even getting involved with stubborn sea creatures. Of course, the game is entirely text-based so if you are after fancy graphics then steer clear of this. However, if you are prepared to take leap of faith and play something which requires you to provide the visuals then you will be rewarded heavily. Pirate's Island 2 is laced with Adams' trademark humour and sense of fun and this really is an adventure that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The puzzles are testing but never unfairly so, while the interface is sophisticated and intuitive, and understands a wide range of commands which are input in a natural sounding manner. The descriptions are vivid and delightful, creating a strong atmosphere, while the characters are well realised and full of personality, and add a lot to the fun story. The game encourages creativity in its approach to puzzle solving and this is perhaps its greatest strength and where its appeal really lies. If you're intrigued by the notion of a text adventure, then this is a great place to start. Highly recommended!
