Shadowgate

(ICOM Simulations/Mindscape, 1987, Mac)

A revolution in gaming, this graphic adventure had a unique inventory system; just click on any object from the game window, and drag it into the inventory window, anywhere you wanted. The puzzle here was truly sinister; you could take practically everything seen on the screen --everything-- including what was found in drawers, cabinets, closets, and small sacks! What you really needed --and where, and when-- was up to you to discover. In addition, there was an amusing sub-puzzle, where torches needed to be found to light your way, every few turns or so, or else the torch would extinguish and the game would end (a nice salute to the classic adventure game, Zork). This game was so popular --and so cool-- it was ported to every game system under the sun, even to this very day. There's a version of the game for the Gameboy, and even Windows CE! However, it's the original 1987 Macintosh version that was the most fun, and, like many of Techtite's choices for Top 50 Multimedia Classics, it was years ahead of its time.

Rating : Deep Impact.

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