Cyborg

Cyborg is an imaginatively written, all-text science fiction adventure game. You must guess the object, which doesn't become clear until late in the game following a surprising arcade-like (and very effective) Lo-Res graphics interlude. At the outset, all you know is that you are a Cyborg, half-human, half-robot. Having an unusually cohesive plot, the game is more like a novel than an adventure.
Cyborg is big, similar in size to Michael Berlyn's first game, OO-Topos. There are 130 mappable locations, including two maze-like areas. Mapping is required; each area must be explored (in ten directions) as the text does not always indicate the exits. The text, while generally well written, is distractingly excessive in some spots. Except for the Droid, the text has little humor or sidelights. The twenty-eight or so objects are well scattered, but do not present a difficult inventory management problem. Many of them are either eaten or worn. The well laid-out screen display, obtained by entering Full Scan (one of four scan types available), clearly shows your inventory, what is being worn, and a description of your location.
One of the game's challenges is its sheer size; you must find the proper sequence to successfully attack it. To get off on the right track, consider using SW, S, D, and E as your first four moves. The actual puzzles are few-more would detract from the novel-like nature. Several, however, are difficult, and clues are limited to the remarks of the small Droid (that comes close to stealing the show), although a Help command occasionally comes through. With the exception of clearing the Cargo Hold, the puzzles are not too involved or interactive. The puzzles are usually logical, but who ever heard of a Cat's Cradle playing Iguana?
The game is disk interactive, but is a little slow for a text game. The two-word syntax is supported by a generally adequate vocabulary. A single Save-game may be written to or called from the protected disk at any time, although a three-scenario capability would have better fit the size of the game. Fortunately, with the exception of the Lo-Res area of the game, it is relatively difficult to get killed off. Should this happen, the game permits a reincarnation-not far from where you are killed, with your objects remaining at the site of your demise-which effectively adds another Save-game capability.
All in all, Cyborg is an interesting challenge, dominated by the "what, where, and why am I?" theme, and a well-developed plot with a few surprises and twists along the way. The game is highly recommended for the intermediate to advanced adventurer; the puzzles, definitely secondary to the excellent plot, are made difficult by the size of the game.

Overall rating :	A-	Difficulty:	B	Originality:	A
Puzzle quality :	B	Ease of use:	B	Documentation:	C
Text quality:	B	Vocabulary:	B-	Holds interest ?:	A
Graphics quality :	C	Save/restore:	B+	Value for money:	B+