<!--
	Title: (Micro-Reviews) Deadline
	Author: Deirdre Maloy
	Source: Computer Gaming World, v2(4)
	Date: 1982-07/08
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

<table style="font-weight: bold;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan=2 style="text-align: center;">BASIC INFORMATION</td></tr>
<tr><td>NAME:</td><td>Deadline</td></tr>
<tr><td>TYPE:</td><td>Adventure/Mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>SYSTEM:</td><td>Apple II, Atari 400/800, IBM PC, NEC PC-8000, CP/M, PDP-11</td></tr>
<tr><td>FORMAT:</td><td>Disk</td></tr>
<tr><td>PRICE:</td><td>$49.95</td></tr>
<tr><td>PUBLISHER:</td><td>Infocom<br>55 Wheeler St.<br>Cambridge, MA 02138</td></tr>
</tbody></table>

Deadline is a classic adventure program by INFOCOM, the people
currently publishing Zork and Zork II. Happily, it uses the same type of
command parser as the Zorks, and it's specialized vocabulary gives you
the feeling of really being there. It is frustrating, involved, and realistic.

The documentation for this program is excellent, taking such forms
as a lab report, police statements, coroner findings, and the like. That
gives you the basic evidence you need to proceed.

Some of the commands available are new, and are extremely useful.
You can catch someone's attention (if they are moving away from you)
by calling their name. You can interrogate them by saying something
along the lines of "Glenda, tell me about Fritz". It can either be a person
or an object you ask about. Also, the "show me" (as in "Fred, show me
the keys") is useful. There are many other questions you can ask, too.

Other commands available are: ACCUSE someone OF something,
ANALYZE something (gets police lab to check for common things),
ANALYZE something FOR something (more specific and usually
more accurate), ARREST someone(s), ASK someone ABOUT something,
FINGERPRINT something, LOOK BEHIND something (LOOK UNDER
also works), and SHOW something TO someone (usually to provoke a
reaction) all add to the flavor of the game. The command structure is
also a bit freer than that of their previous adventures, which makes
the game almost conversational.

Unfortunately, I found the solution disappointing. There are a lot of
false trails, which is understandable, and even good. A real murder
mystery would have false trails. There is a lot of evidence which isn't
needed, which would also be true of a murder mystery. Actually, a person
could stumble on the solution on their first or second try, but it will
take most people a LONG time. Four friends and I worked on it as a group
and solved it in about a month.

On the bright side, this is a thoroughly intriguing adventure. It
has some very good features that aren't apparent -- for instance, if you
arrest someone, you had better have evidence -- you won't really find out if
you have enough evidence until they are on trial. Once, I got the correct
murderer, but didn't have the right evidence, so the person got off free.
You do indeed have to prove they did it beyond a reasonable doubt, and
had a motive. This is something many detective shows on TV lack --
they don't follow up the case.

In all, I thoroughly recommend the adventure, despite my dislike of
the solution. After all, I have no say in who murdered who, it's merely
my job to find out "who done it." Much of my recommendation lies on
the excellent command parser, as well as my love for mysteries. This
made me feel like a detective, frustration and all. I'm waiting for the next
one.
