~4 minute readTicket to Ride
Steps Along Infocom's "Journey"
WARNING! This article contains spoilers. Avert your eyes!
"The first step of a journey is always the longest one." —old Chinese proverb, probably attributed to Confucius.
In this case, your first step is briskly walking to your nearest computer store and ordering this exceptional game. After that, your steps become much shorter as you carefully tread through the many byways of this game.
Frequent "Save Game"s are definitely in order here (suggested number 20+). When you get to the end game, you will send money in to the magazine to renew your subscription for just this one hint alone!
Astrix Tours offers a rare treat for the jaded traveler. Instead of having to decide whether to go to the mountains or the seashore this year, go to both! Astrix Tours has booked you into the sleepy mountain town of Lavos as your first stop on the Journey. Be sure to stock up on provisions and examine the AAA guides (Astrix's Aerie Asylum) to be found inside Webba's store. Free drinks are available in the local Tavern where the friendly natives will beguile you with fierce stares and cold shoulders . . . of meat. The disreputable louse-infested fellow in the corner is your native guide. No expense has been spared (literally none!) to find such an experienced man who is willing to sacrifice his life to lead you had such a perilous trip. Why the last four trips he led never had any complaints. Of course, they still haven't been heard from, either. Without his guidance, the party is surely doomed to perish. With his help, you still have an excellent chance of messing up, but at least it wouldn't be his fault!
"You take the high road and I'll take the low and you'll be at Astrix's before me." —popular song of the mountain people.
Don't feed the roving bands of bandits. Be sure to Scout around wherever possible in your travels. If your eyes get smoke-filled, remember that "Truthfulness is next to Godliness". Our tour goes through the mineral rich streambeds which are quite dangerous in the Spring when snow is melting high in the mountains. Be sure to visit the bathing beauties around the pool and collect some of the quaint native handicrafts. The culmination of our first day's travel is dinner with your Tour Director, the famous Astrix himself. Despite all appearances to the contrary, he is IN. The party needs to learn how to see what is already in front of them.
Day two delves into the home of the friendly Dwarfs. The view from the towers is spectacular, while the subterranean vaults hold many surprises for the unwary. Through the gate, a brisk stroll will enable the party to meet some of the local fauna and talking flora. Late afternoon tea is scheduled at the elf village, although the temperature may be a little toasty. Back to Astrix's for another fine dinner and spellbinding tale of high adventure.
You must get up early for the Northern route, but take heart because the forest is fun-filled, indeed!
If you know how to get around the natives, you can have a spiritual experience that you can tell your friends about for years. A visit to the mine digging will be most illuminating. Be sure to ask the old miner for tips on prospecting. Don't scare him as he is a recluse and very shy. Be very careful to stay to the main areas or it will be the death of you.
After lunch, the Southern route winds through the woods. This is a good time for individual sidetrips. Many interesting places await the cautious traveler. At the old mill, learn to operate ancient equipment. The tattered manual reads, "Now you see it, now you don't!". The dilapidated castle is reputed to be haunted. The ghost's jokes are said to be earthy. Do be careful in the woods as this is a bad time for allergies. A must stop is a local tribal village where the dinner cuisine is four star. Join Astrix for an after dinner nightcap and hear his tall yarns about the traveling anvil salesman.
Day four brings the seashore. Your party will travel to the quaint seaside town of Zan. Along the way inclement weather may speed your travel. Zan is famous for its Curio Shop and Tavern. The Tavern is a very rowdy place, so try to be heard but not seen. The Zan Inn actually achieved an unheard of 3 stars, but the inspector was rumored to be currently vacationing on the Misty Isle. Do take care while in Zan not to run afoul of the local authorities. The Zan jail is supposed to be escapeproof. The tour party has a choice of ships available to suit any mood, so visit the wharf area and meet the different Captains. Each Captain has something quite different to offer the discerning traveler. Costs are commensurate with services!
Ah, the joys of relaxing on the high seas. Feel the zephyr winds wafting through your hair. Enjoy the gentle rock ing of the waves. A truly memorable experience! All too soon you will arrive at the Misty Isle where you will face one of the greatest challenges of your life.
Only Astrix Tours can offer such diversity of travel vistas. Sign up now for a trip that you will always be glad you had taken. Discounts are given for large groups and special musing are available for repeat clients so that they can learn to maximize their adventuring. Remember, Astrix Soars!
This article appeared in
Computer Gaming World
Sep 1989
These historical, out-of-print articles and literary works have been GNUSTOed onto InvisiClues.org for academic and research purposes.
