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	Title: (Reviews) Seastalker
	Author: James Trunzo
	Source: COMPUTE!'s Gazette, v3(4)
	Date: April 1985
	Transcription by Steve Derby
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As Infocom's first junior level text adventure, *Seastalker*
deserves particular attention. Despite the "junior" label,
*Seastalker* is not "just for kids." And it doesn't compromise on
Infocom's high standards in the slightest way.

What it does is provide initial help for the user and extra
coaching along the way, and it does this in a variety of ways.

The game's theme is that of a deep sea adventure, a la
*Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea* You command a high-tech
submarine, the Scimitar, and your ultimate goal is to
save the Aquadome, which has come under attack by some type
of giant sea monster.

There are numerous subplots to be solved before the final
test of skill. To this end, Infocom provides a nautical
chart of Frobton Bay, which lies between the research lab and
the unknown sea area where the Aquadome resides. They
also give you detailed floor plans of your lab and the
Aquadome.

Obviously, this provides the gamer with quite an advantage.
However, Infocom has been very careful not to reveal too
much about these places. *Seastalker* also contains a set of
Hidden Clues cards, which are optional in game play. The
more experienced (or less frustrated) adventurer may wish to
ignore these.

What can't be ignored is the information on the back of each
card. Necessary information about the sophisticated equipment
found in the lab and aboard the Scimitar is provided
on the cards, as is equally important information about each
of the crew members.

This also provides a richer flavor for the adventure because
personalities are brought into play. Infocom has, for all intents
and purposes, created a multi-character adventure that can be
controlled by one player.

Other small areas of help are included. For example, on-screen
prompts help you use the correct syntax when inputting
commands; the first three moves are given to help you get
started. It's easy to see why the game is considered Junior Level
when compared to *Deadline* or *Sorceror*.

Otherwise, *Seastalker* contains all the elements one has
come to expect from Infocom: vividly detailed descriptions,
intriguing puzzles, and, of course, goodies inside the package (to
reveal them would be unfair). The point system employed in
other Infocom games is intact, and the adventure can be solved
in any number of ways.

It's important to reemphasize that veteran gamers should
not ignore this product. It's an excellent program that will
present numerous challenges to the gamer in spite of its billing
as a Junior Level adventure. The sea environment, fascinating to
explore, and the interaction with other characters give Seastalker a
different feel from other Infocom games.

*Infocom, Inc.<br>
55 Wheeler St.<br>
Cambridge, MA 02138<br>
$39.95 (disk)*
