The Year Ahead – 1993

It’s again that magical time, when our community of readers gets to spend their well-earned CAPs and decide what is to be expected during another year of TAG. This time the stakes are on 1993, a year remembered fondly by all friends of good scifi TV shows, because then began the on-going search for paranormal events and alien life and government conspiracies trying to cover them up. Yes, I am talking about the truth that is out there.

Unfortunately we couldn’t pay David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson  for appearing on our blog, so here’s instead the crew of seaQuest DSV

Before getting to games themselves, let’s go through the rules. The administrators have had serious discussions on how to create the playlist and we’ve made a few changes from the previous year. We have traditionally considered as Potential candidates for inclusion on the playlist all games that are either 1) listed on MobyGames as part of the adventure genre (excluding interactive fiction games) and have at least 10 votes or that 2) appear on the Wikipedia List of Graphic Adventure Games. This proved to be problematic, because the Wikipedia list referenced a Polish adventure game – and as far as we know, we don’t have reviewers who would understand Polish. Since there’s no sense in us reviewing games we cannot read, we’ve decided to modify the rules – now any Potential game must be made in English or in another language, which is sufficiently understood by some reviewer who is willing to play the game.

We have also previously included as Potential candidates those adventure games, which belong in a series, later parts of which would be Potential games. This was a bit of a mouthful, so we’ve now decided simply to accept as Potential games all adventure games, which are parts of a notable game series. So, if Lord British ever decides to make Ultima XIV: Quest for Dry Socks as a point-and-click adventure, it has a chance to get on our playing list.

Finally, since we are anxious to try all notable adventure games in existence, we’ve decided to include as Potential candidates also those adventure games which have been officially licensed from some other media. We are not going to accept all Tolkien fan games but only games with a real licensing contract, which in our eyes makes an adventure game notable enough. For instance, the TAG community now has many high-quality games from Capstone Software to choose from (ahhh, can we reverse this decision?).

So much for finding all the Potential games. How to turn them into our playing list? Simple. A game will be automatically Accepted to the playing list, if it a) has at least 20 votes on Moby Games, b) appears on the Wikipedia List of Graphic Adventure Games and c) is clearly an adventure game (we might on occasion be lenient with this condition). Borderline game fulfills two of these criteria and Disregarded only one. Individual readers and groups of readers will then have the opportunity to use their CAPs to add Borderline and Disregarded games to the official playlist. Adding Borderline-games to the playlist costs 100 CAPs, while adding Disregarded-games costs 200. We used to have different rates for individual and group purchases of Borderline, but we decided to simplify this a bit, so that all game purchases cost in CAPs at least as much as blogging rewards for official games.

The candidate list is now set in stone, so don’t bother heading off to MobyGames to vote or to Wikipedia to edit the Adventure Games list. Any CAP trades need to occur before the introduction post for the last game of 1992 (Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Volume II), after which time 1993’s playlist will be set.

Next year’s games are to be played approximately in the chronological order wherever possible. The order can be seen in our AdventureGamer Spreadsheet. When dating the games, we have probably made many mistakes since our sources are quite unreliable, so if you know better, just speak up. All discussion on CAP trades for the 1993 playing list should be had on this post. The admins will be adjusting the CAP leaderboard and each game’s status as trades are made.

Games immediately Accepted

One of those times when garlic breath would be of use

Will we have another intervention by Jim Walls?

Looks like a quiet Miss Marple style game

Punishment or punchy?

Daryl F. Gates Police Quest: Open Season

This game has not been approved by Jim Walls

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (64)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Alex

Eric the Unready

Kissing a pig is just the thing to begin a heroic journey

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (44)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist

The brother of Larry Laffer went into a pharmacy business

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (73)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

The best Sierra adventure game ever?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (274)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Gateway II: Homeworld

Will it be as good as the first game?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (22)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Reiko

Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon

Did they have one mushroom too many?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (47)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Innocent Until Caught

One of the most despicable adventure game protagonists

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (27)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

The Legacy: Realm of Terror

A producer of classic illustrated text adventures turned in its final days into point&click survival horror

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (27)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

The Legend of Kyrandia: Hand of Fate

Is it the best Kyrandia game?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (64)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Alfred n the Fettuc

Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out!

What happened to Passionate Patti?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (101)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Alex

Lost in Time

One of Muriel Tramis’ finest hours

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (36)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Lost Secret of the Rainforest

Also known as Ecoquest II

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (37)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Reiko

Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle

A strong contender for the title of best adventure game ever

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (439)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Myst

It’s a complete mystery what some people see in this game

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (356)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Quest for Glory: Shadows of Darkness

The pinnacle of Quest for Glory series

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (179)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Return of the Phantom

A short, but intriguing mystery story

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (20)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Return to Zork

Will it be as memorable as the Infocom text adventures?

The biggest question is who gets to play this game

The 7th Guest

The attack of Myst clones

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (152)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Simon the Sorcerer

Was this the ultimate year of classic adventuring?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (88)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Space Quest V: The Next Mutation

Space Quest goes Star Trek

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (91)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Joe

Star Trek: Judgment Rites

The finest hour of Star Trek gaming

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (35)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	Joe

Veil of Darkness

Horror seems to be a trend in this year

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (22)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Accepted
Potential reviewers	–

Borderline (100 CAPs)

The Adventures of Melvin Freebush

Who put this piece of trash in the Wikipedia list?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (0)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Cosmic Spacehead

Sonic the Hedgehog + King’s Quest = ?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (21)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Dare to Dream Part One: In a Darkened Room

This seems like a Deja Vu clone

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (7)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Dracula Unleashed

ICOM moves beyond Sherlock Holmes

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (17)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	Joe

Fatty Bear’s Birthday Surprise

“I am baking a birthday cake to Kayla’s birthday party!”

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (15)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Inca II: Nations of Immortality

Another part of an adventure-simulator hybrid series

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (16)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	Ilmari

Alone in the Dark 2 + Jack in the Dark

Since we let the first one pass, let’s give a chance for the second one

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	At least we thought first one was
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (90)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Jack in the Dark is, Alone in the Dark 2 not
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	Andy Panthro

The Journeyman Project

One of the first multimedia games

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (7)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Pepper’s Adventures in Time

Benjamin Franklin in a bubble bath?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (18)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon

I’ve always found big-eyed vehicles creepy

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (16)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. III

Will they finally meet Moriarty?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (0)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	Yes
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	Joe

Ween: The Prophecy

Sequel to Legend of Djel

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	Yes (27)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	No
Result	Borderline
Potential reviewers	–

Disregarded (200 CAPs)

An American Tail: The Computer Adventures of Fievel and His Friends

I remember seeing the film as a little child

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes, and a licensed property
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (9)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	No
Result	Disregarded
Potential reviewers	–

The Beverly Hillbillies

Another excellent game from Capstone

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes, and a licensed property
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (0)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	No
Result	Disregarded
Potential reviewers	–

Isle of the Dead

Doom + King’s Quest = ?

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (15)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	No
Result	Disregarded
Potential reviewers	–

Wayne’s World

If you are gonna spew, spew into this

Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?	Yes, and a licensed property
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?	No (9)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?	No
Result	Disregarded
Potential reviewers	–

Panthro’s Law (500 CAPs)

You probably thought we had forgotten this. Last year, we introduced Panthro’s Law – administrators have the right to introduce an arbitrary number of non-Potential games as candidates for the playing list. We’ve decided that a maximum number of games that administrators can introduce will be determined by the last digit of the game year. Thus, we now have a chance to introduce three new games. Adding these games to the official playing list will cost 500 CAPs.

Black Sect

Lankhor? That raises some memories

Remember Mortville Manor and Maupiti Island? Lankhor, the company behind these rather original detective adventures produced yet another adventure game, Black Sect. Like its predecessors, it is supposed to be a cruel game with time sensitive events, a complex interface and a small, but devoted fan base.

Curses

It won’t get high points in graphics

We’ve usually avoided plain text adventures in our main playing list, but Curses just might prove to be the first exception. Graham Nelson’s game is a classic, which began the era of modern non-commercial interactive fiction. It is not just historically important, but even today a fun game to play.

Kronolog: The Nazi Paradox

Trump’s creation?

It is somewhat surprising that Kronolog isn’t on the Wikipedia list of adventure games (at least when we consider what other “classics” the list contains). It is definitely not a gold standard game, because the interface is clunky and there are some game crashing bugs. Still, it is an interesting tale of a dystopian alternative world, where Nazis won the WW2 (or Soviet Union won the Cold War, if you are playing the German version, Red Hell).

And the reviewers…

Just like in previous years, we will also decide who’s to play what game in the comments below. Especially with continuing series, reviewers for previous parts are preferred over completely new reviewers.

As a completely new feature, commenters may use 25 CAPs to suggest a suitable reviewer for a certain game. Bear in mind that 1) the reviewer has no obligation to accept the suggestion and 2) administrators have a right to veto suggestions, if they seem to be concentrated on few persons.