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	Title: (PC Reviews in Brief) Wishbringer: When You Wish Upon a Stone
	Author: James Langdell
	Source: PC Magazine, v4(22)
	Date: October 29, 1985
	Transcription by Steve Derby
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*Wishbringer* is simpler than most of Infocom's adventure
games, which makes it a good introduction to interactive fiction
games for children. As a story, though, this game is interesting
enough to entertain — rather than embarrass — adults
and seasoned adventurers.

At the start of *Wishbringer*’s adventure you are a humble
mail clerk in Festerton, a small seaside village. Your first task
is to deliver a mysterious special-delivery letter to the Olde
Magick Shoppe. At first you might think you could find the
right address simply by searching all the town's haunts, from
the Pleasure Pier's game arcade through the spooky graveyard.
Before you can win the game, however, you’ll have seen every
familiar thing in your hometown turn nasty, and your quest
will change to rescuing platypuses and a very important
black cat.

<figure class="float-right">
	<img src="/public/img/articles/pcmag-wishbringer-review/wishbringer-screen-shot.jpg" alt="Wishbringer screen shot">
	<figcaption><strong><em>One of the many whimsical scenes in Infocom's interactive
		fiction game Wishbringer.</em></strong></figcaption>
</figure>

You're aided in your task by the magic of Wishbringer, a
stone of dreams. As you travel underground and through the
air, wise use of the stone may save you from death in a torture
chamber or a monster's lair.

In its dramatic moments, the game has an atmosphere reminiscent
of Susan Cooper's *The Dark Is Rising* novels — stories
in which children vacationing on the English coast become
participants in battles between mythical forces of good and
evil. But on the whole, *Wishbringer* has a light touch that
will inspire more laughter than fearful gasps. Its author, Bob
Moriarty, claims he was inspired by Lewis Carroll. His
Wonderland-style whimsy comes out in scenes that involve
the platypuses and a surprisingly affectionate mailbox. The
culminating scene is set in a place that might have been fascinating
to explore at length. You're thrust into action instantly,
however.

The game is straightforward, so inexperienced adventurers
are unlikely to be stuck forever at a dead end. Most
problems can be solved by using either logic or magic. The redundant
solutions not only prevent frustration while you try to
win the first time but they make it worthwhile playing *Wishbringer*
again simply to experience additional scenes that occur
only when you try the other solutions.

<div class="article-sidebar-dark float-right-narrow" style="background: #EF9F9F; border: 1px solid; font-style: italic;">
<strong>Wishbringer</strong><br>
Infocom, Inc.<br>
125 Cambridge Park Dr.<br>
Cambridge, MA 02140<br>
<strong>List Price:</strong> $39.95<br>
<strong>Requires:</strong> 48K RAM. one disk drive, monochrome or color display.
</div>

Infocom's disk is copy-protected in a way that allows you
to make one backup copy. *Wishbringer* comes in an elaborate
package that includes pieces of mail, a map of the village,
the Wishbringer stone itself, and a well illustrated booklet
that tells The Legend of Wishbringer without giving
away the solution to the game. If you’d like a few hints — or a
lot of help — you can send Infocom $7.95 for a booklet of
*Wishbringer* InvisiClues printed in invisible ink.
