Adventureland Saga #1 is Adventure International's re-release of its original all-text adventure game which has been spiffied up with Hi-Res graphics, and much improved documentation. Several command option keys have also been added: the "Z" key toggles the graphics mode on and off, speeding the game considerably and producing an all-text version identical to the original release. They've added a four position save-game option, as opposed to the single position on the original version. It is a bit messier to use, however. The documentation is complete with at least a partial list of recognizable key words - a major breakthrough in adventuring.

As before, the object is to resolve the puzzles so that you can find and retrieve thirteen treasures, only some of which are easy to locate. A significant novelty (not evaluated), is that the "V" key toggles a Votrax (if you have one), to provide spoken feedback from the game. The same key was used, however, to toggle a printer and get a running hardcopy of the game text. A dump of the graphics is also possible, provided you have a Grappler or Microbuffer card and an appropriate printer.

The graphics are pleasant and colorful, but are often painfully slow if a number of shape-table objects must be drawn and filled in. "Inventory" is a particularly slow process, after the novelty of watching a graphical "bag-dumping" wears off. This recalls the old expression of "Z" before "I" (or is it "I" before E"?). The two-sided disk boots off one side, and eventually plays the game there. The flip side of the protected disk, through which one must pass, carries a plethora of AI promotions, including long demos of three games and a multi-screened graphical statement against pirating/unauthorized copying, complete with a dour-visaged Scott Adams staring balefully from the CRT.

If you have played the lower priced text version, you'll find the graphics add little to the enjoyment of the game. Personally, this reviewer preferred the original, as the graphics detract from the degree of imagination that is needed to be successful. If you haven't played the classic AI text adventures, then you'll have a treat in store - graphics or no, these games are a must for any serious adventurer.

Overall rating : B Difficulty:C+Originality:B
Puzzle quality :BEase of use: B+Documentation:A
Text quality:BVocabulary:BHolds interest ?:B
Graphics quality :BSave/restore:A-Value for money:C