Summary
- Release Year: 1979
- Genres: Adventure, Puzzle
- Platforms: Acorn Electron, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, BBC Microcomputer System, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Dragon 32/64, FM-7, PC-8800 Series, Sharp X1, Texas Instruments TI-99, TRS-80, TRS-80 Color Computer
- Developers: Adventure International
- Publishers: Adventure International, StarCraft, Inc., Texas Instruments Incorporated
Mystery Fun House (1979): A Thrilling Text Adventure
Mystery Fun House is a text adventure game released in 1979 for the TRS-80 and Apple II computers. The game is set in a spooky fun house at an amusement park, and the player’s goal is to navigate through the fun house and find the exit before the park closes for the day.
The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player interacts with the environment by typing commands. The player can move around the fun house, examine objects, and talk to other characters. The game’s world is described in detail, and the player must use their imagination to visualize the surroundings.
Mystery Fun House is a challenging game, and the player must use their wits to solve puzzles and avoid danger. The game features a variety of puzzles, including logic puzzles, riddles, and mazes. The player must also be aware of the dangers that lurk in the fun house, including traps, monsters, and ghosts.
Despite its challenges, Mystery Fun House is a rewarding game. The game’s atmosphere is immersive and suspenseful, and the puzzles are clever and engaging. The game also has a sense of humor, and the player will often find themselves chuckling at the game’s witty dialogue.
Gameplay
The player begins the game in the lobby of the fun house. From there, the player can explore the fun house’s many rooms, including a haunted house, a circus tent, and a mirror maze. The player must find keys to unlock doors, solve puzzles to open secret passages, and avoid traps to progress through the game.
The player can interact with a variety of characters in the fun house, including a friendly clown, a grumpy old man, and a mysterious woman. The player can talk to these characters to get clues about the fun house and its secrets.
The player must be careful not to get lost in the fun house. The fun house is a labyrinthine maze, and it is easy to get turned around. The player can use a map to help them navigate the fun house, but the map is not always accurate.
The player must also be careful not to run out of time. The amusement park closes at midnight, and if the player has not found the exit by then, they will be trapped in the fun house forever.
Puzzles
The puzzles in Mystery Fun House are clever and engaging. The puzzles are varied, and they require the player to use their logic, problem-solving skills, and imagination.
Some of the puzzles in the game are simple, such as finding a key to unlock a door. Other puzzles are more complex, such as solving a riddle to open a secret passage. The player must be patient and persistent to solve the puzzles in the game.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in Mystery Fun House is immersive and suspenseful. The game’s graphics are simple, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere. The sound effects are also well-done, and they add to the game’s suspenseful atmosphere.
The game’s world is described in detail, and the player can easily imagine themselves in the fun house. The game’s writing is also excellent, and the player will often find themselves drawn into the game’s story.
Legacy
Mystery Fun House was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, clever puzzles, and immersive atmosphere. Mystery Fun House is considered to be one of the best text adventure games ever made.
Mystery Fun House has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the Commodore 64, the Atari 8-bit family, and the PC. The game has also been released on a number of compilation albums.
Mystery Fun House has inspired a number of other games, including the popular point-and-click adventure game Myst. The game has also been parodied in a number of other games, including the Simpsons game Bart’s Nightmare.
Conclusion
Mystery Fun House is a classic text adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s clever puzzles, immersive atmosphere, and sense of humor make it a timeless classic. If you are a fan of text adventure games, or if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding game to play, then I highly recommend Mystery Fun House.
Review Score
7.5/10
