This queue is poppin, and it's nearly October when the inevitable deluge of Oktrollberfest games gets uploaded as well, so it's really time to get things manageable once more.
This one has a little bit of everything! Three new worlds, one being a ...puzzle essay? that takes the top slot as the most substantial of the new releases queued up. Another being a reskin? of a 1991 world. And then a clock engine, which sounds like it should be free of confusion, but the clock doesn't run at a rate of one second per second? So I guess this is the confusing new releases update.
What I do understand however, is Sonic the Hedgehog's appeal. Hence, a number of vintage worlds with different takes on that funny lookin blue fella. That and plenty of comic book games, one which is quite literal. But not like, in the "literature" sense of the word.
And we can't forget An Ilford Conspiracy, a surprise hit of the wildcard stream series. This unusual looking game with a framing you don't usually see from a game made by a university aged developer led to a really unique game about navigating social circles, committing arson, and rescuing kidnapped ladies being held captive at fancy parties.
There's a lot here today, so let's get to it!
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“Purpose” by WiL (2024)
Program Description
"PURPOSE: A playable essay for WeaveZZT. Please see the Resource List for a link to the source material including archive.org links and pdfs where available."
Researched and created over the course of 16 months, a strangely angled dive into the nature of creativity, community, and how it relates specifically to the ZZT hobby.
“Dark Fantasy” by Allen Pilgrim, Anonymous (2024)
A rather peculiar darkening of the 1992 adventure Fantasy? Like, the game seems to be about identical, just in dark grays now and with the word "dark" added here and there. Of course, the famous ending scroll has been edited as well.
“Clock Engine” by Vacek (2024)
A Vacek engine that isn't a mini game. It isn't exactly a real time clock either, with its minutes lasting something like 4 seconds making it more fitting for a game with a time system that isn't 1:1 with actual time. Includes a togglable chime for each passing hour and uses the 24-hour format.
“Justice League International” by Steven Lyons (1996)
One of several superhero games streamed last month. The members of the Justice League have been scattered across the world, and it's up to you to find them. Rescue a hero, and then play as them to find the next one. Tour Pisa, Taipei, Brazil in all their yellow bordered glory!
“Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch” by Steven Lyons (1997)
Quicksilver's sister has been captured by an unknown villain. Fight your way through a number of creature filled rooms and see if you can survive the antagonist's onslaught long enough for them to admit defeat!
“Booster Gold” by Steven Lyons (1997)
IN THIS GAME YOU MUST GO TO ROOMS CHOCK FULL OF BAD GUYS TO SAVE SKEETS, BOOSTER GOLD'S ROBITIC SIDKICK, FROM BLACKGUARD. GOOD LUCK!
“Captain Shrunkenhead: The Game” by Pinklight
A playable comic book! Boards are divided into tiny panels that tell a little story, with the player shooting their way through the monsters scattered within. Almost like a ZZT Comix Zone.
“Elite ZZT” by J. J. Foote
No, not the early 3D space trading game. An original work where you must fight and solve puzzles on your way to the Omega Palace. The game is very trolly, with actions like reading scrolls causing obstacles to become impossible to get past, slider puzzles where you have to realize a slider is actually an object that clears a path, and touching random walls to find a bomb needed to get past some guards. The author also has quite a rivalry with another ZZTer and promises you that his games are the superior choice.
“An Ilford Conspiracy” by Toby Norfolk-Thompson (2001)
An unexpected hit. A game starring the author's friend group (though you don't play as the author himself) that differs from most by everyone being college aged rather than barely in their teen years. Save your favorite kebab shop, travel the underground, mingle at parties, rescue the damsel, and keep an eye out for any PlayStation games lying around. A bit difficult to navigate and make progress in, but a very entertaining game overall!
“An Ilford Conspiracy (earlier build)” by Toby Norfolk-Thompson
An earlier build of the above. Looks to be rather similar, though the playable board estimate suggests some passage issues.
“What do you Want?” by Matt Perrotti
If you had one chance to make a successor to ZZT, what would it contain? An author who notably makes no mention of any programming skills is soliciting your ideas. More colors? Lava? Sound Blaster support? More interesting creatures? Please tell this guy what you want to see in a new ZZT so that he can get to work making it a reality. Hopefully.
“Sonic 1” by Avery Morrow (1997)
The first of several Sonic the Hedgehog ZZT games. This one takes place in the Archie comics universe with Sonic and the freedom fighters fending off against Robotnik. In this game, there's a weird explosion, a workout room that Sonic loves, Sally dies almost immediately, and Robotnik kind of hangs around.
“Sonic #2” by Avery Morrow
In the sequel, Sonic is thrown into Robotnik's not very good labyrinth which is quickly escaped. The author discovers STK, though the visuals remain difficult to read overall. It has a shoutout to Super ZZT's lava though!
“Sonic” by Chris Schasse (2001)
Now, this here Sonic opts to go for a platformer. Just like pretty much every ZZT platformer it struggles to feel good. Sonic is rather slow and the unresponsive controls make even basic jumps difficult to land. It's not all bad though, the author does some nice invisible wall animations depicting Robotnik flying in for the boss stages which look quite nice. Features a good face Sonic on the title screen too.
“Sonic (Test World)” by Graham Peet (1997)
A collection of ZZT ideas including, but not limited to Sonic the Hedgehog. Take the player around the loop, play some Lemmings-like game, master a slot machine, and admire some rather nice art boards depicting a castle and mountains. The text file in this one adds a bit of sentimentality to the mountains as well, discussing the author's childhood backpacking trips with his father along the Sierra Nevada range.
