<!--
	Title: (CRITICALLY SPEAKING..) Ballyhoo
	Source: Computer Entertainer, v4(12)
	Date: Mar 1986
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

**BALLYHOO (NA / ⭐⭐⭐⭐)** is a Standard-Level mystery
from ***<u>Infocom</u>***. In it, you are an innocent bystander, just a
person attending a performance of the Traveling Circus That
Time Forgot. The performance is over, and you wander around
for a "backstage" look at this seedy little outfit. Incurably nosy,
you wander into the Prop Tent since you haven't yet figured out
how to get past the guard at the gate to Clown Alley. You hear
voices and hide quickly, fearing that someone will discover you
trying on a mangy gorilla suit. You overhear a shocking story:
Chelsea, the daughter of circus owner, Thomas Munrab, has been
kidnapped. (Ever the clever ones, these Infocom authors. Note
that "Munrab" is "Barnum" spelled backwards.) Munrab is
enlisting the somewhat questionable help of a local detective who
appears to be a rummy. Looks as if you'll have to donate your
valuable investigative talents to determine whether or not the
kidnapping is an inside job. (Besides, everyone knows how you
just love poking around in other people's business.) It will be
tough, because these circus people are a clannish and
close-mouthed lot.

## The Zaniness of the Infocom Minds

For all your wonderful deductive talents, you'll have to at least
gain entrance to the Midway and a few other spots on the circus
lot. (Getting through the locked turnstile took us more time than
we'd care to admit.) And along with solving this mystery, you'll
have the pleasure of being entertained by the zaniness of the
Infocom minds. They'll try to convince you that an egress is a
horrible beast. You'll meet a gorilla named Mahler who doesn't
know quite what to make of your gorilla suit. And wait 'til you
meet Rimshaw the Incomparable -- hypnotist, palm reader, and
phrenologist extraordinare. Under hypnotism, you'll re-live the
pandemonium of sitting in the cheap seats at the circus
performance, listening to the hawkers offering Old Coke, New
Coke, tofu, yogurt, and granola bars along with the usual
peanuts and popcorn! And when Rimshaw reads the bumps on
your head, he comments on your intelligence by saying "I
am certain you play Infocom games. Personally, I enjoyed
Enchanter." It's not all light-hearted humor, though. There are
some very serious moments, such as facing a gigantic elephant or
a couple of hungry lions. We had a ball with this game and look
forward to solving it. (Surely you didn't think that reviewers
solve each adventure before they review it?) BALLYOO is
typically excellent Infocom interactive fiction. Their authors have
never let us down! (Solo play; Keyboard) Available for Apple II,
Atari XL/XE, Commodore 64/128, IBM PC/PCjr, Macintosh.
Coming soon for Amiga, Atari ST.

**Recommended.** (MSR $39.95)
