<!--
	Title: (Infocomics:) ZorkQuest: Assault on Egreth Castle
	Author: Shay Addams
	Source: QuestBusters, v5(8)
	Date: August 1988
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

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<strong>Type:</strong> Illustrated Story<br>
<strong>Systems:</strong> C 64, Apple, IBM
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Egreth Castle in northwest Quendor is the setting of the second *Infocomics* title,
jointly produced by Tom Snyder Productions and Infocom. Like the first, it is an illustrated
story with no puzzles; the only "interaction" is the ability to occasionally
switch and view the action from another character's perspective. Unlike *Lane
Mastodon*, however, the story is more appealing to adventure fans.

<img class="float-right" src="/public/img/articles/questbusters-infocomics-zorkquest-review/castle.png" alt="Very pixelated clip art of a castle">

## *Accardi-by-the-Sea or Bust!*

One reason is because it's set in the Zork universe. Traveling in a caravan
bound for Accardi, each of the five key characters—two youngsters, a
young woman, a Conan-type and a Hobbit-type-has his or her own motives
for the trip. On the way, they pass Egreth Castle, now the haunt of an E.W. (see page seven) whom
you will ultimately defeat.

There are some subtle differences between *ZorkQuest* and *Lane Mastodon*.
The designers showed restraint with the "change perspective" option, which was
overworked in the first game. Here it often leads to flashbacks that fill you in on
a character's background and motivation, so the people in this tale are
more well-rounded. Humor is more sophisticated. The authors paid as much attention to
mood-setting as to action, though there is still plenty of the latter.

This time I "played" a Tandy version, which is autobooting and covers both disk
sides. Still, it is limited to four colors and the same resolution as the Apple and other
versions.<br>
**Conclusions:** If you passed on *Lane Mastodon* (or passed out on it,
as I did), you may find *ZorkQuest* more to your liking. The main characters are a
couple of kids, but it's told in a way that older fans of fantasy fiction will enjoy.
It's still not a game, though, so don't expect to do anything except turn those pages.
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**Skill Level:** Can you press a space bar?<br>
**Protection:** Program<br>
**Price:** $12<br>
**Company:** Infocom
