After what felt like a lot of aimless bumbling around and poor progress on the first streamed game of Zork, I decided to take a peek at a walkthrough solution before playing this.
The last live stream finished off with me getting frustrated with not being able to undo a bolt at the Dam, despite having a wrench. A peek at the walkthrough mentioned pushing a yellow button in the control room first. Really? Like, how was I supposed to know that? Ok, I’ll admit that I hadn’t spotted any of the buttons in the control room (there was a lot of text bombarding me as I arrived in there), but if I had, I would have probably pushed all the buttons. I don’t know if you must push only the yellow one, or if pushing them all would render the bolt still unturnable, but if this is the level of puzzle I’m supposed to solve, then it’s unlikely that I’m going to make too much progress after this part.
So, instead, I decided to print off the first couple of pages of the walkthrough, and planned to just follow along with it.
The live stream started at 7pm on Thursday evening, and the set up was the same as the previous one. The only difference was that I’ve now upgraded from the free version of Wirecast to a licence one with no interruptions. There was 5 viewers on YouTube and 4 on the text stream, although towards the end I spotted a tweet from a viewer that was unable to connect to the text stream (Sorry!), but I never found out if it was a problem at my end or his.
The first thing I wanted to do was test out the instructions on pushing the yellow button before undoing the bolt. Sure enough, this worked! However, there were a few other things that I’d missed out between the start and the dam. I could have possibly caught up with those in a different order, but decided to quit this game and start afresh.
Progress went well, and within an hour I had completed around 50% of the game. Some of the walkthrough was invaluable. I can imagine I’d have ended up stuck in the maze for ever, and probably unable to map it too, but when the walkthrough tells you to just go northwest, south, west, up, west, southwest, and northeast, it is much more enjoyable. Even following along on the map this was hard to work out.
I feel like I’ve successfully completed the Retro Challenge I set myself, and I’m happy that things went pretty well. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not much of a text adventurer, and I don’t think this experience has changed that. Zork was actually better than I thought it would be, and at some point I’ll play through the 2nd half of the walkthrough. The best part for me, however, was the technical side of things, and hooking up an ESP8266 as a wifi link for the RC2014. There seems to be a few different bits of ESP8266 software that will add value to the RC2014, so I’ll be developing a proper ESP8266 Module soon.
A big thanks to those that have followed along with this blog, via Twitter, and, of course, via YouTube and the text stream.
Transcript of this adventure here;
ZORK1 ZORK I: The Great Underground Empire Copyright (c) 1981, 1982, 1983 Infocom, Inc. All rights reserved. ZORK is a registered t >RESTORE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is ZORK1.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > ZORK1.SAV Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Failed. >RESTORE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is ZORK1.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Failed. >QUIT Your score is 0 (total of 350 points), in 0 moves. This gives you the rank of Beginner. Do you wish to leave the game? (Y iY G>DIR G: ZORK1 COM : ZORK1 DAT : ZORK2 COM : ZORK2 DAT G: ZORK3 COM : ZORK3 DAT : FIRSTGO G>L ZORK1 ZORK I: The Great Underground Empire Copyright (c) 1981, 1982, 1983 Infocom, Inc. All rights reserved. ZORK is a registered tRESTORE FIRSTGO I don't know the word "firstgo". >RESTORE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is ZORK1.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > FIRSTGO Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >LOOK Dam You are standing on the top of the Flood Control Dam #3, which was quite a tourist attraction in times far distant. Thered dam. There is a control panel here, on which a large metal bolt is mounted. Directly above the bolt is a small green plastic buLOOK Dam You are standing on the top of the Flood Control Dam #3, which was quite a tourist attraction in times far distant. There are paths to the nortThe brown sack contains: A leaflet A ZORK owner's manual A clove of garlic There is a tour guidebook here. There is a >N Dam Lobby >N Maintenance Room >LOOK Maintenance Room This is what appears to have been the maintenance room for Flood Control Dam #3. Apparently, this room has PUSH YELLOW BUTTON Click. > I beg your pardon? >S Dam Lobby >S Dam You are standing on the top of the Flood Control Dam #3, which was quite a tourist attraction in timesI You are carrying: A sword A tube A wrench A matchbook A pile of plastic A nasty knife A brass lantern (prUSE WRENCH ON BOLT I don't know the word "use". >UNSCREW BOLT I don't know the word "unscrew". >UB NBOLT WRENCH I don't know the word "unbolt". >TURN BOLT What do you want to turn the bolt with? >TURN BOLT WITH WRENCH The sluice gates open and water pours through the dam. >E Dam Base >LOOK Dam Base You are at the base of Flood Control Dam #3, which looms above you and to the north. The river Frigid is flowing by here. AlonE You can't go that way. >S DIAG I don't know the word "diag". >DIAGNOSTIC You are in perfect health. You can be killed by a serious wound. >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is FIRSTGO.). Type <ENTER> to continue > FIRSTGO2 Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >RESTART Your score is 44 (total of 350 points), in 156 moves. This gives you the rank of Amateur Adventurer. Do you wish to restartY Restarting. ZORK I: The Great Underground Empire Copyright (c) 1981, 1982, 1983 Infocom, Inc. All rights reserved. ZORK iOPEN MAILBOX Opening the small mailbox reveals a leaflet. >GET LEAFLET Taken. >READ LEAFLET "WELCOME TO ZORK! ZORK is a game of adventure, danger, and low cunning. In it you will explore some of the most amazing terrN North of House You are facing the north side of a white house. There is no door here, and all the windows are boarded up. ToN Forest Path This is a path winding through a dimly lit forest. The path heads north-south here. One particularly large tree UP Up a Tree You are about 10 feet above the ground nestled among some large branches. The nearest branch above you is above yourGET EGG Taken. >OPEN EGG You have neither the tools nor the expertise. >D Forest Path >E Forest This is a dimly lit forest, with large trees all around. >W Forest Path >S North of House >E Behind House You are behind the white house. A path leads into the forest to the east. In one corner of the house there is aOPEN WINDOW With great effort, you open the window far enough to allow entry. >ENTER WINDOW Kitchen You are in the kitchen of the white house. A table seems to have been used recently for the preparation of food. A p >GET SACK Taken. >GET BOTTLE Taken. >OPEN SACK Opening the brown sack reveals a lunch, and a clove of garlic. >EAT GARLIC What the heck! You won't make friends this way, but nobody around here is too friendly anyhow. Gulp! >W Living Room You are in the living room. There is a doorway to the east, a wooden door with strange gothic lettering to the wOPEN TROPHY CASE Opened. >GET SWORD Taken. >GET LAMP Taken. >REMOVE RUG The rug is extremely heavy and cannot be carried. >PULL UP RUG With a great effort, the rug is moved to one side of the room, revealing the dusty cover of a closed trap door. >OPEN TRAPDOOR The door reluctantly opens to reveal a rickety staircase descending into darkness. >DOWN You have moved into a dark place. The trap door crashes shut, and you hear someone barring it. It is pitch black. You are >LIGHT THE LAMP The brass lantern is now on. Cellar You are in a dark and damp cellar with a narrow passageway leading north, and a crawlwaDROP EGG Dropped. >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is ZORK1.). Type <ENTER> to continue > 2NDGO.SAV Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >N The Troll Room This is a small room with passages to the east and south and a forbidding hole leading west. Bloodstains andATTACK TROLL (with the sword) A quick stroke, but the troll is on guard. The troll swings; the blade turns on your armor but crashes broadATTACK TROLL (with the sword) You are still recovering from that last blow, so your attack is ineffective. The troll swings his axe, but i >ATTACK TROLL (with the sword) The haft of your sword knocks out the troll. >ATTACK TROLL (with the sword) The unarmed troll cannot defend himself: He dies. Almost as soon as the troll breathes his last breath, a cloud of sinister blDIAGNOSTIC You are in perfect health. You can be killed by a serious wound. >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >W Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. A "lean and hungry" gentleman just wandered through, carrying a large bag. Finding nothing of value, he left disgruntled. >W Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >U You can't go that way. >W Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >U Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. A skeleton, probably the remains of a luckless adventurer, >GET COINS Taken. >GET KEY Taken. >SW Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >E Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >S Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. Your sword is glowing with a faint blue glow. >SE Cyclops Room This room has an exit on the northwest, and a staircase leading up. A cyclops, who looks prepared to eat horses (much less merI You are carrying: A skeleton key A leather bag of coins A brass lantern (providing light) A sword A glass bottlOPEN SACK It is already open. >TAKE LUNCH Taken. >GIVE LUNH CH TO Y\CYCLOPS I don't know the word "y\cyclops". >GIVE LUNCH TO CYCLOPS The cyclops says "Mmm Mmm. I love hot peppers! But oh, could I use a drink. Perhaps I could drink the blood of that thing." FOPEN BOTTLE Opened. The cyclops is moving about the room, looking for something. >GIVE WATER TO CYCLOPS The cyclops takes the bottle, checks that it's open, and drinks the water. A moment later, he lets out a yawn that nearly blI You are carrying: A skeleton key A leather bag of coins A brass lantern (providing light) A sword A brown sack NW Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. Your sword is glowing with a faint blue glow. >S Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. Your sword is no longer glowing. >W Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >U Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >W Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >SW Maze This is part of a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. >NE Grating Room You are in a small room near the maze. There are twisty passages in the immediate vicinity. Above you is a gra >UNLOCK GRATING (with the skeleton key) The grate is unlocked. >OPEN GRATING The grating opens to reveal trees above you. A pile of leaves falls onto your head and to the ground. >UP Clearing You are in a clearing, with a forest surrounding you on all sides. A path leads south. There is an open grating, dW Forest This is a forest, with trees in all directions. To the east, there appears to be sunlight. You hear in the distanceW You would need a machete to go further west. >LOOK Forest This is a forest, with trees in all directions. To the east, there appears to be sunlight. >E Forest Path You hear in the distance the chirping of a song bird. >LOOK Forest Path This is a path winding through a dimly lit forest. The path heads north-south here. One particularly large tree E Forest >W Forest Path >S North of House >E Behind House >ENTER WINDOW Kitchen >W Living Room >OPEN TROPHY CASE It is already open. >PUT COINS IN TROPHY CASE Done. >DROP KEY Dropped. >DROP BOTTLE You don't have that! >I You are carrying: A brass lantern (providing light) A sword A brown sack A leaflet >OPEN TRAPDOOR The door reluctantly opens to reveal a rickety staircase descending into darkness. >D Cellar There is a jewel-encrusted egg here. >S East of Chasm You are on the east edge of a chasm, the bottom of which cannot be seen. A narrow passage goes north, and theE Gallery This is an art gallery. Most of the paintings have been stolen by vandals with exceptional taste. The vandals left tGET PAINTING Taken. >W East of Chasm >N Cellar There is a jewel-encrusted egg here. >U Living Room There is a skeleton key here. Your collection of treasures consists of: A leather bag of coins >PUT PAINTING IN TROPHY CASE Done. >D Cellar There is a jewel-encrusted egg here. >N The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >E East-West Passage This is a narrow east-west passageway. There is a narrow stairway leading down at the north end of the rooE Round Room This is a circular stone room with passages in all directions. Several of them have unfortunately been blocked byE Loud Room This is a large room with a ceiling which cannot be detected from the ground. There is a narrow passage from east GET BAR bar bar ... >LOOK look look ... >GET BAR BAR BLACKSHEEP blacksheep blacksheep ... >BAR BAR BARBRANNE! barbranne! barbranne! ... >ECHO The acoustics of the room change subtly. Loud Room On the ground is a large platinum bar. >GET PLATINUM BAR Taken. >W Round Room >W East-West Passage >W The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >S Cellar There is a jewel-encrusted egg here. >U Living Room There is a skeleton key here. Your collection of treasures consists of: A painting A leather bag of coins >PUT PLATINUM BAR IN TROPHY CASE Done. >LOOK Living Room You are in the living room. There is a doorway to the east, a wooden door with strange gothic lettering to the wD Cellar There is a jewel-encrusted egg here. >N The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >E East-West Passage >E Round Room >E Loud Room >N You can't go that way. >U Deep Canyon You are on the south edge of a deep canyon. Passages lead off to the east, northwest and southwest. A stairway l >E Dam You are standing on the top of the Flood Control Dam #3, which was quite a tourist attraction in times far distant. TherN Dam Lobby This room appears to have been the waiting room for groups touring the dam. There are open doorways here to the noGET B \ MATCHBOOK Taken. >READ MATCHBOOK (Close cover before striking) YOU too can make BIG MONEY in the exciting field of PAPER SHUFFLING! Mr. Anderson of MuddREAD MATCHBOOK (Close cover before striking) YOU too can make BIG MONEY in the exciting field of PAPER SHUFFLING! Mr. Anderson of M I beg your pardon? >READ MATCHBOOK (Close cover before striking) YOU too can make BIG MONEY in the exciting field of PAPER SHUFFLING! Mr. Anderson of Mupromising future and make really big Zorkmids." GUE Tech can't promise these fantastic results to everyone. But when you earN Maintenance Room This is what appears to have been the maintenance room for Flood Control Dam #3. Apparently, this room hasPUSH YELLOW BUTTON Click. >GET WRENCH Taken. >S Dam Lobby Some guidebooks entitled "Flood Control Dam #3" are on the reception desk. >S Dam You are standing on the top of the Flood Control Dam #3, which was quite a tourist attraction in times far distant. TherTURN BOLT (with the wrench) The sluice gates open and water pours through the dam. >DROP WRENCH Dropped. >W Reservoir South You are in a long room. To the north is a large lake, too deep to cross. You notice, however, that the water lLOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room. To the north is a large lake, too deep to cross. You notice, however, that the watsouthwest along the edge of a chasm, and a path leading into a canyon to the southeast. >WAIT Time passes... >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room. To the north is a large lake, too deep to cross. You notice, however, that the wat >WAIT Time passes... >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room. To the north is a large lake, too deep to cross. You notice, however, that the wateThe water level is now quite low here and you could easily cross over to the other side. >WAIT Time passes... >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level lowered, thWAIT Time passes... >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level lowered, t >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level lowered, thSA\ TATUS I don't know the word "status". >SCORE Your score is 85 (total of 350 points), in 131 moves. This gives you the rank of Novice Adventurer. >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level loweredWAIT Time passes... >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level lowered, tLOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level loweredWAIT Time passes... >LOOK Reservoir South You are in a long room, to the north of which was formerly a lake. However, witN Reservoir You are on what used to be a large lake, but which is now a large mud pile. There are "shores" to the north and sGET TRUNK Taken. >I You are carrying: A trunk of jewels A matchbook A brass lantern (providing light) A sword A brown sack A leaS Reservoir South >SW Chasm A chasm runs southwest to northeast and the path follows it. You are on the south side of the chasm, where a crack opeSW East-West Passage >W The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >S Cellar >U Living Room There is a skeleton key here. Your collection of treasures consists of: A platinum bar A painting PUT JEWELS IN TROPHY CABINET I don't know the word "cabinet". >PUT JEWELS IN TROPHY CASE Done. >SCORE Your score is 105 (total of 350 points), in 148 moves. This gives you the rank of Junior Adventurer. >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >D Cellar >N The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >E East-West Passage >N Chasm >NE Reservoir South >N Reservoir >N Reservoir North You are in a large cavernous room, the south of which was formerly a lake. However, with the water level lowerGET AIR PUMP That sentence isn't one I recognize. >GET PUMP Taken. >N Atlantis Room This is an ancient room, long under water. There is an exit to the south and a staircase leading up. On the sGET GET\ TRIDENT Taken. >U Cave This is a tiny cave with entrances west and north, and a staircase leading down. >N Mirror Room You are in a large square room with tall ceilings. On the south wall is an enormous mirror which fills the enti >LOOK IN MIRROR There is an ugly person staring back at you. >N Cold Passage This is a cold and damp corridor where a long east-west passageway turns into a southward path. >W Slide Room This is a small chamber, which appears to have been part of a coal mine. On the south wall of the chamber the let >D Cellar >U Living Room There is a skeleton key here. Your collection of treasures consists of: A trunk of jewels A platinum bPUT TRIDENT IN TROPHY CASE Done. >SCORE Your score is 120 (total of 350 points), in 166 moves. This gives you the rank of Junior Adventurer. >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >E Kitchen >U Attic This is the attic. The only exit is a stairway leading down. A large coil of rope is lying in the corner. On a table isGET ROPE Taken. >D Kitchen >W Living Room There is a skeleton key here. Your collection of treasures consists of: A crystal trident D Cellar >N The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >E East-West Passage >E Round Room >SE Engravings Cave You have entered a low cave with passages leading northwest and east. There are old engravings on the walls >E LOOK AT ENGRAVINGS The engravings were incised in the living rock of the cave wall by an unknown hand. They depict, in symbolic form, the beli >E Dome Room You are at the periphery of a large dome, which forms the ceiling of another room below. Protecting you from a precipitous drop is a wooden railing which circles the dome. >TIE ROPE TO T RAILING The rope drops over the side and comes within ten feet of the floor. >D Torch Room This is a large room with a prominent doorway leading to a down staircase. Above you is a large dome. Up around Sitting on the pedestal is a flaming torch, made of ivory. >GET FLAMING TORCH Taken. >TURN OFF LAMP The brass lantern is now off. >LOOK Torch Room This is a large room with a prominent doorway leading to a down staircase. Above you is a large dome. Up around t >S Temple This is the north end of a large temple. On the east wall is an ancient inscription, probably a prayer in a long-forThere is a brass bell here. >I You are carrying: A torch (providing light) A hand-held air pump A matchbook A brass lantern A sword A browDROP PUMP Dropped. >DROP MATCHBOOK Dropped. >DROP LANTERN Dropped. >FROP I don't know the word "frop". >DROP SWORD Dropped. >DROP SACK Dropped. >DROO P LEAFLET Dropped. >LOOK Temple This is the north end of a large temple. On the east wall is an ancient inscription, probably a prayer in a long-for >I You are carrying: A torch (providing light) >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >E Egyptian Room This is a room which looks like an Egyptian tomb. There is an ascending staircase to the west. The solid-goldLOOK AT COFFIN The gold coffin is closed. >OPEN COFFIN The gold coffin opens. A sceptre, possibly that of ancient Egypt itself, is in the coffin. The sceptre is ornamented with coloTAKE SCEPTRE Taken. >W Temple A small leaflet is on the ground. There is a brown sack here. There is a sword here. There is a brass lantern (battS Altar This is the south end of a large temple. In front of you is what appears to be an altar. In one corner is a small holePRAY Forest >E Forest Path >S North of House >E Behind House >ENTER WINDOW Kitchen >W Living Room There is a skeleton key here. Your collection of treasures consists of: A crystal trident A trunk of jPUT SCEPTE\RE IN TROPHY CASE Done. >SCORE Your score is 144 (total of 350 points), in 206 moves. This gives you the rank of Junior Adventurer. >SAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >D Cellar >N The Troll Room There is a bloody axe here. >E East-West Passage >E Round Room >SW E Engravings Cave There are old engravings on the walls here. >E Dome Room >D Torch Room >S Temple A small leaflet is on the ground. There is a brown sack here. There is a sword here. There is a brass lantern (battGET MATCHN BOOK Taken. >GET BELL Taken. >OPEN MATCHBOOK You have 5 matches. >S Altar On the two ends of the altar are burning candles. On the altar is a large black book, open to page 569. >GET CANDLES Taken. >GET BOOK Taken. >I You are carrying: A black book A pair of candles (providing light) A brass bell A matchbook A torch (providing TURN OFF CABL\ NDE LES The flame is extinguished. >D Cave This is a tiny cave with entrances west and north, and a dark, forbidding staircase leading down. Someone carrying a larD Entrance to Hades You are outside a large gateway, on which is inscribed Abandon every hope all ye who enter here! Th >RING BELL The bell suddenly becomes red hot and falls to the ground. The wraiths, as if paralyzed, stop their jeering and slowly turn expression of a long-forgotten terror takes shape. In your confusion, the candles drop to the ground (and they are out). >GET CANDLES Taken. >LIGHT MATCH One of the matches starts to burn. >LIGHT CANN DLE (with the match) The candles are lit. The flames flicker wildly and appear to dance. The earth beneath your feet trembles, I You are carrying: A pair of candles (providing light) A black book A matchbook A torch (providing light) >LOOK AT BOOK Commandment #12592 Oh ye who go about saying unto each: "Hello sailor": Dost thou know the magnitude of thy sin before thTURN OFF CAB NDLES The flame is extinguished. >DROP BOOK Dropped. >LOOK Entrance to Hades You are outside a large gateway, on which is inscribed Abandon every hope all ye who enter here! ThSAVE Load SAVE disk then enter file name. (default file name is 2NDGO.SAV). Type <ENTER> to continue > Load Game Disk if it was removed. Type <ENTER> to continue > Ok. >SCORE Your score is 144 (total of 350 points), in 233 moves. This gives you the rank of Junior Adventurer. >EXIT You can't go that way. >QUIT Your score is 144 (total of 350 points), in 234 moves. This gives you the rank of Junior Adventurer. Do you wish to leave tY G>
If you need to watch the YouTube stream, it can be found here https://youtu.be/K-Kv5saIHyE