Zork: Grand Inquisitor

Zork Grand Inquisitor
Zork Grand Inquisitor
	Zork Grand Inquisitor box coverZork Grand Inquisitor box cover
Developer(s)	Activision
Publisher(s)	Activision
Engine	Z-vision
Platform(s)	Apple Macintosh, Windows
Release	1997
Genre(s)	Adventure game
Mode(s)	Single player, 'Linked' (network) play

Zork Grand Inquisitor is a graphical adventure game, released in 1997 by Activision for the IBM compatible PC and Apple Macintosh. It builds upon the Zork and Enchanter series of interactive fiction computer games originally released by Infocom. The cast includes Erick Avari, Dirk Benedict, and Rip Taylor. It is a 'point-and-click' game on 2 CD-ROMs that allows the player to look around in a full circle of 360 degrees at each pre-rendered location (called 'Z-vision'). This visual freedom applies to the horizontal axis only; looking up and down is restricted.

Game overview

The player, known by the acronym AFGNCAAP, joins forces with the Dungeon Master Dalboz, who was imprisoned in a lantern by the Grand Inquisitor. They attempt to find three legendary objects that will restore all magic to the realm and bring about the fall of the Inquisitor. The three artifacts are one of the Cubes of Foundation, the Coconut of Quendor and the Skull of Yoruk. Zork Grand Inquisitor is set in 1067 GUE, after the events of Zork: Nemesis but before Return to Zork. Zork: The Undiscovered Underground was written and released as a promotional prequel to the game.

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The game begins in Port Foozle, which has been occupied by the Inquisition. The evening curfew has just begun. Megaphones in the streets continuously spout ridiculous propaganda, including a reminder that all residents must have standard Inquisition loudspeakers in their homes, blaring standard Inquisition propaganda at all times. Violation of any of the numerous rules of the Inquisition will result swift totemization courtesy of Frobozz Electric, formerly the Frobozz Magic company before magic was banished. The player meets the TV-star-adventurer Antharia Jack, who arrested by the Inquisition for exiting his house in response to a fire in the street. In-game cut-scenes show Antharia Jack's imprisonment throughout play.

The player eventually ends up in the Great Underground Empire itself, where a great number of magic spells are hidden. These spells are automatically added to the player's spell book as they are discovered. See Zork Magic for details on these spells, many of which originated in Infocom's original series of Zork and Enchanter games. Locations to explore include the magic university GUE Tech, the Dungeon Master's home, the Underground Underground subway, Hades and the famous Flood Control Dam #3.

Much of the humor in Zork Grand Inquisitor stems from the ludicrous Inquisition policies and propaganda. Example quotes:

'Shun magic, and shun the appearance of magic. Shun everything, and then shun shunning.' - the Grand Inquisitor (Mir Yannick), played by Erick Avari.
'This is a paid announcement: "The Grand Inquisitor rules!"' - voice of the Inquisition, played by David Lander.

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