Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It
| Implementers |
Jeff O'Neill |
| Release Year | 1987 |
| Genre | Interactive Short Stories |
You are standing at the edge of a barren field. A steady wind, having secreted away the topsoil, is now drifting sandy dirt across the plain. A scant sign of life here is a freshly-burrowed molehill on the ground.
>MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF THE MOLEHILL
There is a tremendous rumbing in the distance, getting louder and louder, until it is deafening. The dirt around the molehill crumbles away as mighty, jagged granite peaks emerge from deep underground. The surrounding landscape transforms into a fertile valley before your very eyes.
Infocom's first collection of short stories takes you to a place where nothing is quite as it seems. It's a place where you really can make a mountain out of a molehill, where 'the fur is flying' is taken literally, and where a bow can be turned into a beau.
Each of the eight stories in Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It involves a different type of wordplay. You'll find yourself challenging your wits and your memory to come up with the clichés, spoonerisms, and other verbal trickeries needed to complete the puzzles. But don't view this as a hard row to hoe. Nord and Bert contains built-in hints, which you can call upon when the going gets rough.
All eight stories take place in the mixed-up town of Punster. However, no two contain the same people, locations, or objects. Each is played independently of the others, although you'll use passwords obtained in seven of the stories to get to the eighth. As for mapping, it's out the window. You simply type where you want to go.
The tall tales in Nord and Bert are every bit as fun and clever as Infocom's other interactive fiction stories. They can each be completed in one sitting, making them a highly entertaining way to spend an evening, alone or with friends. Nord and Bert was authored by Jeff O'Neill, whose mind is constantly working on artful new turns of phrase.
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From the Library (7 articles)
Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It Review Spoilers
NORD AND BERT COULDN'T MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF IT (NA/⭐⭐⭐⭐) is a collection of short stories by Jeff O'Neill for Infocom. In typical Infocom fashion, these are unlike any short stories you've ever encountered. All eight tales take place in and around the town of Punster, and each involves some kind of word-play, such as spoonerisms, cliches, puns, and homonyms. . . .
~2 minute read
Eight Tails of New Cryptics Review
I'll try to "hold my tongue" and get this article write, but after the "sun's gone down" (I've finished with this game) that won't be easy. I'll just shake a elbow, put my hand down, and get an arm up to tell you all about this. The game is a knee (thanks Sherlock) and time will tell. . . .
~5 minute read
Nord And Bert Couldn't Make Head Or Tail Of It Review
Since my first look at Nord and Bert, I've been chafing at the bit, wanting to let the cat out of the bag. Obviously, I can't tell you everything I've learned —- we don't do that with interactive fiction puzzles —- but I may be able to tell you enough that you won't be buying a pig in a poke. (Clichés.) . . .
~5 minute read
Nord And Bert Could Not Make Head Or Tail Of It Review
The author of Ballyhoo strikes again. Jeff O'Neill's latest for Infocom is a somewhat different style of adventure form the norm to say the least. Nord And Bert Could Not Make Head Or Tail Of It (which shall hereinafter be reffered to as Nord!) is a collection of eight short stories, the first seven of which may be tackled in any order but must be completed before entry into the last scenario is permitted. . . .
~2 minute read
Nord and Bert Review
Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head Or Tail Of It is the long-winded title to the latest offering from Infocom, the reigning masters of interactive text adventures. To put it mildly, Nord and Bert is a major departure form Infocom's previous adventures. Success in this game relies on solving word games, having total recall of cliches and believing firmly that the pun is mightier than the sword. . . .
~2 minute read
Plundered Hearts and Nord And Bert Couldn't Make Head Or Tail Of It Review
Infocom has extended its philosophy of "Something for Everyone" with the release of two new products: Plundered Hearts and Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It. Each of these programs aims at what appears to be a specific audience, although of the two, Nord and Bert is a bit more far-reaching in its scope. . . .
~3 minute read
Four more popular titles reduced to only $14.95 Marketing
We at Infocom are offering you, our most loyal fans, a special deal, the kind of deal that just makes you want to cry with joy. Well, get your hankies out, because now you can get four of our most wildly popular games -— The Lurking Horror, Stationfall, Nord & Bert Couldn’t Make Head or Tail of It, and Plundered Hearts —- for the low, low direct-mail price of $14.95! . . .
~4 minute read
In the Box (12 images)
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Historical Sales Data
Units Shipped By Year
| 87-893 |
Total units shipped: 17,043
Overall ranking: 29 of 32
Accounts for 1% of units sold
3 Data for April 1987 - March 1989
Source: Internal Infocom documents, archived by Steve Meretezky
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