Everest Ascent | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Richard Shepherd Software |
Publisher(s) | Richard Shepherd Software |
Platform(s) | ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 |
Release | 1983 |
Genre(s) | Adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Everest Ascent is a text and graphics adventure game for the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 computers. It was published by Richard Shepherd Software in 1983. The goal is to reach the top of Mount Everest in 20 days. Players must allocate their limited funds to keep their sherpas well fed and supplied in order to reach the summit. [1]
Contemporary reviews of Everest Ascent in computer hobbyist magazines were frequently concerned with the game's difficulty, but considered the game positively overall. Your Computer magazine wrote of the game that it is "more of a strategy game than a straight Adventure [sic]", and joked that the significant difficulty may be due to the sherpas you hire in-game having English names, rather than Nepalese names, and thus, "not what they used to be". [2] Crash called the game "a good average." [1] Home Computing Weekly complained that the player's interface offered insufficient information, but still found the game interesting. [3]
The Quill is a game creation system for text adventures. Written by Graeme Yeandle, it was published on the ZX Spectrum by Gilsoft in December 1983. Although available to the general public, it was used by several games companies to create best-selling titles; over 450 commercially published titles for the ZX Spectrum were written using The Quill.
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You have 20 days to reach the summit of Everest, starting off from limited funds (money comes in from sponsors if you seem to be doing well, but it isn't credited to you if you've forgotten to buy a radio). You must hire Sherpas with homely names and varying strengths and the habit of deserting you if you're not fed properly. Their equipment and supplies are expensive and they eat like horses. Neat graphics and the familiar prompt menu for buying and moving about. It takes some getting into and early expeditions usually last a short time until you realise what's needed most. A good average.