The Worm in Paradise

Last updated
The Worm in Paradise
The Worm in Paradise cover.jpg
Developer(s) Level 9 Computing
Publisher(s) Level 9 Computing
Series Silicon Dreams
Platform(s) Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, MSX
Release1985
Genre(s) Interactive fiction
Spectrum screenshot from The Worm in Paradise Worm Paradise.gif
Spectrum screenshot from The Worm in Paradise

The Worm in Paradise is the third and final video game in the Silicon Dreams trilogy, a series of text adventure games in which the player takes the role of Kim Kimberly. It is the sequel to Snowball and Return to Eden . Worm in Paradise takes place generations after the first two games, when the planet Eden has been colonised. The player is an ordinary citizen in Eden's most populous city, Enoch. The game was noteworthy for having significant social commentary relative to other games of the same genre and era. The game drew inspiration from the novel 1984 .

Contents

Commodore 64 screen copy of The Worm in Paradise. TheWormInParadiseScreen.png
Commodore 64 screen copy of The Worm in Paradise.

Plot

A hundred years after the arrival of colonists aboard the Snowball 9, planet Eden has become home to half a billion people. In this paradise managed by robots there is not any crime, taxes, unemployment, or freedom. The population lives in a domed "megapolis", and, perhaps due to the war that occurred during Return to Eden, there is not any contact between the cities and the surrounding natural world. The occasional sighting of flying saucers keeps the population afraid to go outside.

The main character, a nameless citizen of Enoch, starts the game in a beautiful garden where everything seems fine. He picks an apple from a tree, a worm pops out, and the player follows it outside the garden, through the desert, and then he awakens. It was only a simulation, one of the many forms of entertainment available during the reign of the third Kim. This "Garden of Eden as a prison" allegory sets the mood for the entire game. The objective is to explore the city, and while doing so the player must gather clues to unmask the government conspiracy behind the flying saucers.

Development

The Worm in Paradise is the third and final instalment of the Silicon Dreams trilogy and is a departure from the previous games. It "evolved alongside a 12 month enhancement on Level 9's own adventure system. Standard features include a 1,000 word vocabulary, a very highly-advanced English input, memory-enhancing text compression, the now familiar and very much appreciated type-ahead, and multi-tasking so a player need never wait while a picture is drawn." [1] This was the first game using version 3 of the A-Code system. [2] It was released for four fewer platforms, excluding the Lynx, Memotech MTX, Nascom and Oric-1 compared to the two previous releases. [3]

Another difference is that the player has only seven days, within the game's clock, to complete the game. Quests are also time-based and require that the player arrive at certain locations at specific hours to achieve the desired goal. And while game play remains the same, the backdrop is no longer an action adventure, but a political thriller that resembles the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four . Similar to what happened when Snowball was released, there was certain confusion about the main character's identity and the time when the story is set. The Level 9 Fact Sheet says: "...a couple of years later, Kim Kimberley has become a legend on Eden." [4] Another article stated: "Worm in Paradise is set 100 years later. You are now Kim Kimberley III..." [5] Furthermore, Pete Austin said, "Worm is set on Eden, about 50 years in the future" and "The player is not Kim - she becomes mayor and runs the place." [6] Notice that these sources termed the game by its original name, Worm in Paradise.

Reception

John Sweeney for Page 6 said "It is an excellent adventure in its class." [7]

Colette McDermott for Sinclair Programs said "Not only does it complete an excellent set of adventures, but the graphics will stimulate your visual powers." [8]

Richard Price for Sinclair User wrote "This is the finest of Level 9's masterly adventures. It has an intricate, exciting, intelligent plot based in an equally intricate society run by baffling futuristic machines." [9]

John Ransley for Commodore User said "You'd have to spend an evening with a Roget's Thesaurus to come up with enough superlatives to do justice to The Worm in Paradise; it not offers stunning (albeit it at times disturbing) originality in the overworked realm of science fiction but also embodies state-of-the-art programming techniques which will allow you effortlessly to give full rein to your powers of creative deduction – and there are always those 200 or more colourful graphics to visually help you along the way." [10]

Derek Brewster for Crash said "The story, descriptive depth, vocabulary, and the many sophisticated features go to make Level 9's latest a really good adventure game." [11]

"The Pilgrim" for Amstrad Action said "Can it be as good as it sounds – because it sounds out of this world! Well, out of this world it certainly is." [12]

Keith Campbell for Computer and Video Games said "Here is science-fiction-based political saga which you can just sit back and enjoy, or, if you prefer, involve yourself at a more challenging level in an attempt to reach the seat of power and save the world. Play it either way — I'm sure you'll agree it's superb!" [13]

Roger Garrett for Popular Computing Weekly said "Even the more experienced player, who has a certain amount of knowledge about Level 9 games, will find it quite taxing but definitely rewarding. Congratulations, Level 9 on another imaginative hit." [14]

Your Computer said "This latest text and graphics masterpiece has all the splendid qualities we've come to expect of Level 9 – masses of locations with a colourful fast-drawn picture for every one of them (except BBC B versions), type-ahead ability (no waiting for text or picture to be completed on screen), a massive vocabulary, advanced command parser, lashings of rich prose, a plethora of puzzles, and a plot lovingly crafted, and beautifully executed." [15]

The Worm in Paradise was rated a Your Sinclair Megagame, [16] and a Sinclair User Classic. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level 9 Computing</span> Video game developer and publisher

Level 9 was a British developer of computer software, active between 1981 and 1991. Founded by Mike, Nicholas and Pete Austin, the company produced software for the BBC Micro, Nascom, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Oric, Atari, Lynx 48k, RML 380Z, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Amiga, Apple II, Memotech MTX, and Enterprise platforms and is best known for its successful text adventure games until a general decline in the text adventure market forced their closure in June 1991.

<i>Colossal Adventure</i> 1982 video game

Colossal Adventure is a text based adventure game published by Level 9 Computing in 1982. It was originally released for the Nascom.

<i>Tornado Low Level</i> 1984 video game

Tornado Low Level is a multidirectional flight game developed by Costa Panayi and published in 1984 by the company he co-founded, Vortex Software. The game was released for the ZX Spectrum in 1984, with ports for the Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 in 1985.

<i>Dun Darach</i> 1985 arcade adventure game

Dun Darach is an arcade adventure developed and published in 1985 by Gargoyle Games for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC computers. It is a prequel to the 1984 game Tir Na Nog. The plot has Celtic hero Cuchulainn on a search to find his companion Lóeg in the mysterious city of Dun Darach. Inspiration for the game came from the works of Fritz Leiber and Michael Moorcock.

<i>Basil the Great Mouse Detective</i> 1987 video game

Basil the Great Mouse Detective is a platform, action-adventure game designed by Bob Armour and published by Gremlin Graphics in 1987 for the Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 home computers. The game is based on the 1986 Disney animated film The Great Mouse Detective.

<i>Deactivators</i> 1986 action-puzzle video game

Deactivators is a 1986 puzzle video game designed by David Bishop and Chris Palmer, developed by Tigress Marketing and System Software, and published by Ariolasoft's action game imprint Reaktor. The player controls bomb disposal robots known as deactivators and must use them to deactivate bombs planted by terrorists in five research complexes. The concept for the game came from a brainstorming session between Bishop and Palmer; its design and development took five to six months to complete. It was released for the Amstrad CPC 464, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum platforms in October 1986.

<i>Gauntlet: The Deeper Dungeons</i> 1987 video game expansion pack

Gauntlet: The Deeper Dungeons is an expansion pack for Gauntlet.

<i>Blade Runner</i> (1985 video game) 1985 video game

Blade Runner is a 1985 shoot 'em up game loosely inspired by the 1982 film Blade Runner. The game was published in 1985 by CRL Group PLC for Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. Reviews of the game were mostly negative.

<i>Bugsy</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Bugsy, also known as The King of Chicago, is a 1986 graphic adventure game for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum developed by St. Bride's School and published by CRL Group exclusively in Europe. Its protagonist, Bugsy Maroon, is a rabbit gangster in 1922 Chicago.

<i>Three Weeks in Paradise</i> 1986 video game

Three Weeks in Paradise is a video game released in 1986 by Mikro-Gen for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC platforms. It is the last action-adventure platform in the Wally Week series.

<i>The Price of Magik</i> 1986 video game

The Price of Magik is the third game in the Time and Magik trilogy.

<i>Red Moon</i> (video game) 1985 video game

Red Moon is the second game in the Time and Magik trilogy.

<i>Jack the Ripper</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

Jack the Ripper is a text adventure computer game designed by St. Bride's School and released by CRL in 1987 for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum home computers. The game is based on the notorious "Jack the Ripper" murders in 1880s London.

<i>Light Force</i> 1986 shooter game

Light Force is a 1986 vertically scrolling shooter designed by Greg Follis and Roy Carter, developed by their company Gargoyle Games, and published under their Faster Than Light imprint. It was released for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum platforms.

<i>Boulder Dash Construction Kit</i> 1986 video game

Boulder Dash Construction Kit is the fourth game in the Boulder Dash series. It published for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit family in 1986 by Epyx. Ports were released for the Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and MS-DOS. The Spectrum version was rereleased as Boulder Dash IV: The Game. Boulder Dash Construction Kit includes new levels and a level editor.

<i>Formula One</i> (1985 video game) 1985 video game

Formula One is a Formula One racing management video game published in 1985 by CRL Group PLC. It was developed by G.B. Munday and B.P. Wheelhouse for the ZX Spectrum, and converted to Amstrad CPC by Richard Taylor.

<i>Silicon Dreams</i> 1983 video game

Silicon Dreams is a trilogy of interactive fiction games developed by Level 9 Computing during the 1980s. The first game was Snowball, released during 1983, followed a year later by Return to Eden, and then by The Worm in Paradise during 1985. The next year they were vended together as the first, second and last of the Silicon Dreams.

<i>Legend of the Sword</i> 1988 video game

Legend of the Sword is a 1988 fantasy interactive fiction video game developed by Silicon Soft and published by Rainbird Software for the Atari ST. Ports for the Amiga and MS-DOS were released later. A Macintosh version was expected to release shortly after the Atari ST version but was never released. A sequel, The Final Battle, was released in 1990.

<i>Questprobe featuring Human Torch and the Thing</i> 1985 video game

Questprobe featuring Human Torch and the Thing is the third and final video game in the Questprobe series.

<i>Joe Blade</i> 1987 video game

Joe Blade is a game published by Interceptor Micros on their Players budget label for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC in 1987. It reached the top of the UK game charts, replacing Renegade. In Germany, the game peaked at number 7. It was later ported to the Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, Atari 8-bit, MSX, Amiga and ST and a sequel, Joe Blade 2, was published in 1988. Another sequel, Joe Blade 3, was released in 1989.

References

  1. ↑ Brewster, Derek (March 1986). "The Worm in Paradise". CRASH (26): 91–92. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  2. ↑ Hewison, Richard (July 2004). "The Next Level - part 1". Retro Gamer (6). Live Publishing: 53–57.
  3. ↑ Meier, Stefan; Persson, Hans. "Level 9 Computing". Adventureland. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  4. ↑ Schmidt, Miron; Schulz, Manuel (1999-01-25). "Level 9 Fact Sheet". The Interactive Fiction Archive. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
  5. ↑ Manor, John (August 1988). "8-bit product reviews: Silicon Dreams". ANTIC . 7 (4): 41. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  6. ↑ Bourne, Chris (May 1985). "Hit Squad: On the level". Sinclair User (38): 60–62. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
  7. ↑ "Page 6 - Issue 21 (1986-05)(ABACUS)(GB)". May 11, 1986 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ "Sinclair Programs 35". September 11, 1985 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ↑ "Sinclair User 048" – via Internet Archive.
  10. ↑ "Commodore User Magazine Issue 028" – via Internet Archive.
  11. ↑ "Crash Magazine 026" – via Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ "Amstrad Action Issue 005" – via Internet Archive.
  13. ↑ "Computer and Video Games Issue 0052" – via Internet Archive.
  14. ↑ "Popular Computing Weekly (1986-01-09)". January 9, 1986 – via Internet Archive.
  15. ↑ "Your Computer Magazine (February 1986)". February 11, 1986 – via Internet Archive.
  16. ↑ Wilson, John (February 1986). "Beast of Eden" (JPEG). Your Sinclair (2): 80–81. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  17. ↑ Price, Richard (March 1986). "Adventure review: Worm in Paradise". Sinclair User (48): 70–71. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.