<!--
	Title: (MULTI-SYSTEM Software) Lane Mastodon vs. The Blubbermen
	Source: Computer Entertainer, v6(12)
	Date: March 1988
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

**LANE MASTODON VS. THE BLUBBERMEN (⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐½)**
from ***<u>Infocom</u>*** and Tom Snyder Productions is a whole new approach
to the concept of entertainment software for computers, the first in a
series of programs dubbed "Infocomics" by their creators. This is
definitely not a game, since it includes no puzzles, arcade sequences
or other game-like elements. It is simply a story, with a single ending
and no user control over the final outcome, much like a book or a
movie. Unlike a book or movie, however, Infocomics allow the user to
jump into the story in many different places to switch points of view,
suddenly seeing the development of the story through a different
character's eyes. This is the key point and probably the most powerful
hook in the program's overall concept.

## *Even for Computer Illiterates*

Even a completely computer illiterate person can enjoy an Infocomics
story, because there is nothing more complicated here than simply
booting the disk and occasionally pressing a key or two to proceed
through the story, move backward or forward, change points of view,
or set a "bookmark" for future continuation of the story. All instructions
are contained in the introduction on the disk itself, so there is no
need for a manual. It's even possible to boot the disk and do absolutely
nothing but read and enjoy the whimsical humor of this 1930s space-opera
spoof. But it would be a shame to miss the enjoyment of flipping
back and forth through the story, taking paths that let you see the
exposition of the story through the eyes of various characters.

## *Wonderfully Funny*

The story itself is wonderfully funny -- not surprising when you learn
that it was written by one of Infocom's most humorous writers, Steve
Meretzky ("Leather Goddesses of Phobos," among others). It follows
the adventures of the bumbling accountant-turned-superhero, Lane
Mastodon, as he saves Earth from the threatened invasion of the
Blubbermen of Jupiter. With far more luck than skill, Lane miraculously
survives one harrowing experience after another as he leads the
Revolutionary Thin Men against the porcine plotters. The basic story
is told from Lane's point of view, but it's great fun to step into the shoes
of his young companions, Ivory and Lambert, or those of the Thin Men,
the Blubbermen, or a number of others. The graphics are drawn in
comic-book style as lightly fleshed-out line drawings. There's plenty
of animation and sound to bring the situations to life, and cinematic
techniques such as fades and pans add further graphic interest. It's a
novel approach to computer entertainment software and one that
appears to have plenty of potential, particularly at its very low price.
Infocomics present a new direction for storytelling, one of man's
oldest pastimes. It's not difficult to see the Infocomics concept as a
peek into the future when storytelling is likely to take take further new
directions with the advent of new technologies such as Compact Disc-Interactive
(CDI) and Digital Video Interactive (DVI). (Solo play;
Keyboard.) Available for Apple II, Commodore 64/128, IBM PC &
100% compatibles.

**Recommended.** (MSR $12)
