User:D3tessa/sandbox

Black Crystal

"Black Crystal" is and adventure game released in 1982 for the ZX81, ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 computers by Carnell Software Ltd. It was the first in the "Third Continent Trilogy" of adventure games; followed by Volcanic Dungeon and The Wrath of Magra.

The game featured an epic story spanning many locations; Kingdom of Beroth, Castle of Shadows, The Shaggoth's Lair, The Temple of the Fire Demon, The Tower of Beroth, The Sea of Sand, The Underground Swamp, Gold Mine, Bridge Over Abyss, Temple Maze, Room of Pits, Lords of Chaos and finally The Black Crystal.

To load all of these locations on such early computers, the program employed a multi-load mechanism.

Gameplay

Darkness has descended on the kingdom of Beroth. The evil Tobias has summoned the Black Crystal in an attempt to get revenge on the Brotherhood of Wizards for refusing him entrance. With the Black Crystal in his grasp, he is able to bring down the kingdom. It is up to the player to venture through the many realms of the kingdom and recover the seven Rings of Creation, so that they can banish Tobias and his minions and destroy the Black Crystal.

To do this, the player needs to get through six maps. The first map, the player must find some rings so that they can enter the castles on that map. While exploring the map, the player will encounter beasts which they must attack in order to continue. If they are killed, the player is returned to the sanctuary where he began the map.

When you find the rings, the player is free to enter castles where they need to find more rings in the same manner. Some aspects of the game are in text adventure format, where the player is required to enter commands to proceed through the map.

The final conflict is between you and the Lords of Chaos. If you win, the Black Crystal is destroyed and peace is restored to the land. If the player fails, everyone is doomed to eternity.

Gameplay

The following instructions are from the original inlay:

Black Crystal is a multi-Program adventure. To begin your quest Load "map 1". This program is your doorway into the other map sections. When your screen display asks "Do you want to start a new adventure?" Press Key Y to answer yes. When you are successful in entering the Shaggoth's Lair, Castle, Temple or Tower you will be given a reference number and a Map number. To continue your adventure find and load the program with the file name that matches the Map number. When the next program is loaded the computer will ask you to enter your Map reference number. Now enter the reference number given to you by the previous program. Black Crystal it a delicately balanced game and interfering with the reference number could spoil your adventure. When you have a reference number for each map section you will be able to play favourite parts of your adventure over again without starting from Map 1.

At various times during the adventure you will be returning to Map 1. Each time it will ask you if you want to start a new adventure. Unlike the first time, you will now type N for no. The computer will ask you for a map reference number and you must repeat the procedure outlined above. WARNING: ZX81 owners do not use RUN. Using run will clear important variables held in Memory.

PURITY: This is an important value. When you are killed the Wizard Gora can resurrect you by bringing you back to sanctuary, but only if your purity reading is greater than zero. You lose purity points by using spells that you might find on your quest or by using the help of the Oracle Zenobie.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: You need this to use your physical weapons (Sword, Shield) SPIRITUAL STRENGTH: You need this to Cast Spells (Lightning, Power Drain etc). Using "Lightning" and "Power Drain" will not effect your purity level.

SAVE GAME ROUTINE: Each program contains a save routine. This allows you to save the game part way through. To use the save routine with single-key sections of the program (i.e. real-time sequences), you only have to press Key S on your computer. To use the save routine on Two Word Command sequences of the program you must type in "SAVE" then press "ENTER".

Reception

Due in-part to its innovative multi-load approach, the game has been frequently cited as one of the best ZX81 adventure games.

"There are only two graphics adventures which stand out in the market at the moment. The first to be produced was Black Crystal from Carnell Software..."

"Black Crystal is the most ambitious adventure game I've seen for the ZX81, with elements of Lord Of The Rings grafted on to the adventure format. You take on the role of warrior, elf or wizard, with corresponding values for physical and spiritual strength, before setting off into the valley of Beroth. Your aim is to retrieve all seven rings of light and eventually, by placing them in exact locations around the black crystal itself, to rid the valley of evil. The program is large and is divided into six segments preceded by a short load test...it takes some time to master the use of keys controlling movement and weapons, and to discover the right tactics for various monsters. Still, Black Crystal has impressed me by its sheer quantity and generally high quality of presentation. I'm afraid I've become an addict."

"...Black Crystal is a great graphic adventure that sees you traversing a variety of different environments to destroy the gem of the title. Spread across six impressive-looking maps, you’re given a variety of tasks ranging from retrieving keys to fighting dragons. It’s a very entertaining romp that plays up well to the strengths of the ZX81 and delivers a truly immersive experience that many other adventures on the machine simply can’t match. It’s a little fiddly in places, and it’s all too easy to die, but the gripping gameplay will constantly push you forward for one more go."

"...There are a few of these games that have gone down is history... 3D defender, Black Crystal, QS Scramble and Galactic Trooper are all worth a play."

Related Games

Volcanic Dungeon

The Wrath of Magra

Sorcerers Island