Computer Entertainer, v4(12)

~2 minute read

Mar 1986

Critically Speaking...

Ballyhoo

BALLYHOO (NA / ⭐⭐⭐⭐) is a Standard-Level mystery from Infocom. In it, you are an innocent bystander, just a person attending a performance of the Traveling Circus That Time Forgot. The performance is over, and you wander around for a "backstage" look at this seedy little outfit. Incurably nosy, you wander into the Prop Tent since you haven't yet figured out how to get past the guard at the gate to Clown Alley. You hear voices and hide quickly, fearing that someone will discover you trying on a mangy gorilla suit. You overhear a shocking story: Chelsea, the daughter of circus owner, Thomas Munrab, has been kidnapped. (Ever the clever ones, these Infocom authors. Note that "Munrab" is "Barnum" spelled backwards.) Munrab is enlisting the somewhat questionable help of a local detective who appears to be a rummy. Looks as if you'll have to donate your valuable investigative talents to determine whether or not the kidnapping is an inside job. (Besides, everyone knows how you just love poking around in other people's business.) It will be tough, because these circus people are a clannish and close-mouthed lot.

The Zaniness of the Infocom Minds

For all your wonderful deductive talents, you'll have to at least gain entrance to the Midway and a few other spots on the circus lot. (Getting through the locked turnstile took us more time than we'd care to admit.) And along with solving this mystery, you'll have the pleasure of being entertained by the zaniness of the Infocom minds. They'll try to convince you that an egress is a horrible beast. You'll meet a gorilla named Mahler who doesn't know quite what to make of your gorilla suit. And wait 'til you meet Rimshaw the Incomparable -- hypnotist, palm reader, and phrenologist extraordinare. Under hypnotism, you'll re-live the pandemonium of sitting in the cheap seats at the circus performance, listening to the hawkers offering Old Coke, New Coke, tofu, yogurt, and granola bars along with the usual peanuts and popcorn! And when Rimshaw reads the bumps on your head, he comments on your intelligence by saying "I am certain you play Infocom games. Personally, I enjoyed Enchanter." It's not all light-hearted humor, though. There are some very serious moments, such as facing a gigantic elephant or a couple of hungry lions. We had a ball with this game and look forward to solving it. (Surely you didn't think that reviewers solve each adventure before they review it?) BALLYOO is typically excellent Infocom interactive fiction. Their authors have never let us down! (Solo play; Keyboard) Available for Apple II, Atari XL/XE, Commodore 64/128, IBM PC/PCjr, Macintosh. Coming soon for Amiga, Atari ST.

Recommended. (MSR $39.95)

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