Rufus on Vacation
You're Rufus, and you're on vacation. But your mom wants you to go wake up your sister Polyana! The plot thickens from there and things are not all they seem...
Though only 9 boards long, it is crammed with detail: you can interact with most objects multiple times, and they often have unique reactions to said interactions and being shot at. In fact, the game expects you to do this several times to successfully and completely finish it. However, this translates to touching almost every object several times and maybe even shooting them, with at least one mandatory hunt-the-hidden-object puzzle. A missing board linkage also means you can softlock the game if you haven't completely explored the unlinked board. Also, you can easily get mauled by sharks at one point.
The writing is humourous with some elements that are decidedly weird, and to the player some of the gameplay elements and choices make you wonder what the author's train of thought was at the time-besides, perhaps, being in love.
The graphics are non-STK but serviceable and well-complemented by the interactive objects. And you can play a Jethro Tull record!
Which leaves me to believe it IS retro, so I won't knock it. Compared to the really old standards of ZZT games this one's a must play. If you're some elitist bastard that only cares about 1998 and newer, though, give this one a pass. Otherwise, enjoy.
Man, if only this game had some more spiffed out graffx. I thought it had all the condiments of a smooth but small adventure. Oh god, the back of the closet, and the stuffed animals having a tea party. Even the imperial soldier! and shooting the imperial soldier is great... because when you sit to have tea in his place it says "Imperial Fighters don't need tea!" I totally dig this. A MUST SEE.
-Viovis
