History SoYouWantTo / WriteAnAdventureGame

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, VideoGame/GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, VideoGame/{{Zork}}, VideoGame/ManiacMansion, VideoGame/ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, VideoGame/{{Loom}}, VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, VideoGame/SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, VideoGame/FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, VideoGame/GrimFandango, VideoGame/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, VideoGame/TheLegendOfKyrandia.''

Writing is an essential aspect of the genre, as these games use little action. Most of the great adventure games had detailed, well-written descriptions for every object, and a wide variety of unnecessary action. Your motto should combine TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything, and HaveANiceDeath. Gamers will search for every possible option, and they should be rewarded for their curiosity with humorous results, including [[TheManyDeathsOfYou numerous amusing deaths]].

Half of the fun in an adventure game derives from finding all the ways to die. Sierra--in its glory days--and Infocom, two of the defining adventure game companies, filled their games with amusing deaths. One of the best moments in the ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest'' series was when the player could stick his face, or arm into a pit of acid, with the logical results. Lucasarts is the exception that proves you ''don't really'' need to kill off your players every five seconds. Dying, however, is not the same as making the game {{unwinnable}}.

Resist the temptation to indulge in overly sadistic design and TrialAndErrorGameplay. Consider that maybe it might be more fun for players to figure out the game for themselves instead of figuring it out by making millions of mistakes. Too [[TheManyDeathsOfYou Many Deaths of You]] can wreck your WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. As [[LucasArts David Fox]] said, unlike in Sierra games, in the real world you can successfully pick up a broken piece of mirror ''without'' dying.

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, VideoGame/GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, VideoGame/{{Zork}}, VideoGame/ManiacMansion, VideoGame/ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, VideoGame/SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, VideoGame/FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, VideoGame/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, VideoGame/TheLegendOfKyrandia.''

!!The Epic Fails

''Limbo of the Lost, Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller, Kronolog: The Nazi Paradox, Dreamweb.''

{{Unwinnable}}, though a common trope in this type of game, is to be avoided. Players hate the frustration of finding that they are trapped because of some minor mistake made hours earlier, and though many of the best games have such scenarios, that does not make the trope any less frustrating. Careful puzzle design avoids such problems.

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. An occasional MoonLogicPuzzle is acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths. As of circa ''VideoGame/Grim Fandango'', adventure games had a propensity for the player to almost solve the puzzle, demonstrating that something further needed to be done. This shows the player that they're thinking along the right lines and adds at least one additional puzzle inside of the puzzle. A straight-forward example of this from Grim Fandango is that the player is shown that they have to slow the airflow in a tube messaging system. [[spoiler:They can insert a playing card, but that stops the airflow completely and the card is blown through the tubes when the pressure builds up. The solution is to then punch holes in the card to slow the air flow down enough without pressure building up.]]

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. An occasional MoonLogicPuzzle is acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths. As of circa VideoGame/Grim Fandango, adventure games had a propensity for the player to almost solve the puzzle, demonstrating that something further needed to be done. This shows the player that they're thinking along the right lines and adds at least one additional puzzle inside of the puzzle. A straight-forward example of this from Grim Fandango is that the player is shown that they have to slow the airflow in a tube messaging system. [[spoiler:They can insert a playing card, but that stops the airflow completely and the card is blown through the tubes when the pressure builds up. The solution is to then punch holes in the card to slow the air flow down enough without pressure building up.]]

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. An occasional MoonLogicPuzzle is acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths. As of circa [[Grim Fandango]], adventure games had a propensity for the player to almost solve the puzzle, demonstrating that something further needed to be done. This shows the player that they're thinking along the right lines and adds at least one additional puzzle inside of the puzzle. A straight-forward example of this from Grim Fandango is that the player is shown that they have to slow the airflow in a tube messaging system. [[spoiler:They can insert a playing card, but that stops the airflow completely and the card is blown through the tubes when the pressure builds up. The solution is to then punch holes in the card to slow the air flow down enough without pressure building up.]]

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. An occasional MoonLogicPuzzle is acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths. As of circa Grim Fandango, adventure games had a propensity for the player to almost solve the puzzle, demonstrating that something further needed to be done. This shows the player that they're thinking along the right lines and adds at least one additional puzzle inside of the puzzle. A straight-forward example of this from Grim Fandango is that the player is shown that they have to slow the airflow in a tube messaging system. [[spoiler:They can insert a playing card, but that stops the airflow completely and the card is blown through the tubes when the pressure builds up. The solution is to then punch holes in the card to slow the air flow down enough without pressure building up.]]

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. An occasional MoonLogicPuzzle is acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths. As of circa Grim Fandango, adventure games had a propensity for the player to almost solve the puzzle demonstrating that something further needed to be done. This shows the player that they're thinking along the right lines and adds at least one additional puzzle inside of the puzzle. A straight-forward example of this from Grim Fandango is that the player is shown that they have to stop the airflow in a tube messaging system. [[spoiler:They can insert a playing card, but that stops the airflow completely and the card is blown through the tubes when the pressure builds up. The solution is to then punch holes in the card to slow the air flow down enough without pressure building up.]]

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. An occasional MoonLogicPuzzle is acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths.

''Limbo of the Lost, VideoGame/KingsQuestIII, Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller, Kronolog: The Nazi Paradox, Dreamweb.''

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, VideoGame/GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, VideoGame/{{Zork}}, VideoGame/ManiacMansion, VideoGame/ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, VideoGame/SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, VideoGame/FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, VideoGame/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, VideoGame/LegendOfKyrandia.''

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, VideoGame/GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, VideoGame/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, LegendOfKyrandia.''

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, VideoGame/GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, LegendOfKyrandia.''

Half of the fun in an adventure game derives from finding all the ways to die. Sierra--in its glory days--and Infocom, two of the defining adventure game companies, filled their games with amusing deaths. One of the best moments in the ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest'' series was when the player could stick his face, or arm into a pit of acid, with the logical results. Lucasarts is the exception that proves the rule. Dying, however, is not the same as making the game {{unwinnable}}.

!!Best examples:

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, VideoGame/GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''

!!Worst examples:

''Limbo of the Lost, VideoGame/KingsQuestIII, Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller, Myst, Legend of Kyrandia 1, 2, Kronolog: The Nazi Paradox, Dreamweb.''

''VideoGame/KingsQuestVI, VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, VideoGame/SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, VideoGame/PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''

Adventure games have a long history, one marked by many great works, though tempered by some shit, but, today, they are on the verge of death. We tropers should not let the genre die, we should encourage the renewal of this interesting forgotten style of game.

Writing is an essential aspect of the genre, as these games do not have action. Most of the best adventure games had detailed, well-written descriptions for every object, and a wide variety of unnecessary action. Your motto should combine TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything, and HaveANiceDeath. Gamers will search for every possible option, and they should be rewarded for their curiosity with humorous results, including numerous amusing deaths.

Writing is an essential aspect of the genre, as these games do not have action. Most of the best adventure games had detailed, well-written descriptions for every object, and a wide variety of unnecessary action. Your motto should combine TheDevTeamThinksofEverything, and HaveANiceDeath. Gamers will search for every possible option, and they should be rewarded for their curiosity with humorous results, including numerous amusing deaths.

Half of the fun in an adventure game derives from finding all the ways to die. Sierra--in its glory days--and Infocom, two of the defining adventure game companies, filled their games with amusing deaths. One of the best moments in the ''SpaceQuest'' series was when the player could stick his face, or arm into a pit of acid, with the logical results. Lucasarts is the exception that proves the rule. Dying, however, is not the same as making the game UnWinnable.

UnWinnable, though a common trope in this type of game, is to be avoided. Players hate the frustration of finding that they are fucked because of some minor mistake made hours earlier, and though many of the best games have such scenarios, that does not make the trope any less frustrating. Careful puzzle design avoids such problems.

Best examples:

''KingsQuest 6, LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, VideoGame/TheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''


Worst examples:

''Limbo of the Lost, King's Quest 3, Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller, Myst, Legend of Kyrandia 1, 2, Kronolog: The Nazi Paradox, Dreamweb.''

''KingsQuest 6, LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, VTheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''

''KingsQuest 6, LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, VideoGame/DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, TheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''

''KingsQuest 6, LeisureSuitLarry 1, 2, 3, 6, SpaceQuest 1, 3, 4, 5, PoliceQuest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, GabrielKnight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, ManiacMansion, ZakMcKrackenAndTheAlienMindbenders, IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis, TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland, MonkeyIsland2LeChucksRevenge, TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland, DayOfTheTentacle, SamAndMaxHitTheRoad, FullThrottle, TheDig, IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''

''King's Quest 6, Leisure Suit Larry 1, 2, 3, 6, Space Quest 1, 3, 4, 5, Police Quest 1, 2, 3, Perdition's Flames, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, Zork, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge.''

Item-manipulation puzzles, which were standard before the days of FullMotionVideo, are best: Myst-style mechanical puzzles tend to be tedious, and repetitive, and the older games that rarely used them tended to be much better than later games. Occasional MoonLogicPuzzles are acceptable, as adventure gamers think laterally, and enjoy exploring every possible option. Unsuccessful attempts to solve puzzles should be met with amusing responses, and deaths.