Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It (1987)

by Christopher
5 minutes read

Summary

Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It: A Pun-derful Text Adventure

Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is a 1987 text adventure game developed by Infocom and released for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. The game is a hilarious and challenging adventure that is sure to please fans of wordplay and puns.

Plot

The game takes place in the town of Punster, where idioms and clichés have become real-world objects. The player takes on the role of Nord and Bert, two detectives who are tasked with restoring order to the town.

To do this, Nord and Bert must travel through seven different scenarios, each of which is filled with puns and wordplay. In one scenario, the player must navigate a grocery store where all of the products have been replaced by nonsensical homonyms. In another scenario, the player must use a “Jack of All Traits” to construct words beginning with “Jack” in order to solve puzzles.

Gameplay

Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is a text adventure game, which means that the player interacts with the game world by typing commands. The game’s parser is very sophisticated, and it understands a wide range of commands.

The player can explore the game world, interact with objects, and solve puzzles. The game is non-linear, and the player can choose to complete the scenarios in any order.

Humor

Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is one of the funniest text adventure games ever made. The game is filled with puns, wordplay, and other humorous devices. The game’s writing is clever and witty, and it is sure to keep the player entertained from beginning to end.

Legacy

Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its clever writing, challenging puzzles, and innovative use of language. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms, and it remains a popular choice for fans of text adventure games.

Conclusion

Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is a classic text adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s clever writing, challenging puzzles, and innovative use of language make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Tips for Playing

Here are a few tips for playing Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It:

  • Pay attention to the puns and wordplay. The game’s puzzles are often based on puns, so it is important to be able to understand them.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. The game’s parser is very sophisticated, and it understands a wide range of commands.
  • Take your time. The game is non-linear, so there is no need to rush. Take your time to explore the game world and solve the puzzles.
  • Have fun! Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is a funny and challenging game. Relax and enjoy the experience.

Additional Information

  • The game was designed by Jim Lawrence and Marc Blank.
  • The game was originally released for the Commodore 64.
  • The game was ported to the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum in 1988.
  • The game was re-released for the PC in 2001.
  • The game was included in the 2015 compilation Infocom: The Lost Treasures.

Quotes

  • “Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is a masterpiece of interactive fiction.” – IGN
  • “Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is one of the funniest games I’ve ever played.” – GameSpot
  • “Nord and Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It is a must-play for fans of text adventure games.” – Adventure Gamers

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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