Available Platform: Amiga
The Pawn is a text adventure created by Magnetic Scrolls initially for the Sinclair QL and published by Sinclair Research in 1985.
| Year | 1986 |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Rating | 90/100 based on 6 Editorial reviews. Add your vote |
| Publisher | Firebird |
| Developer | Magnetic Scrolls |
| OS supported | Win7 64 bit, Win8 64bit, Windows 10, MacOS 10.6+ |
| Updated | 21 February 2021 |
Game Review
The Pawn is a text adventure created by Magnetic Scrolls initially for the Sinclair QL and published by Sinclair Research in 1985.
In the Chess app on your Mac, do any of the following. Set the level of difficulty: Choose Chess Preferences, then drag the slider toward Faster or Stronger to decrease or increase the difficulty or speed (not available when you're playing another person). Change the look of a game: Choose Chess Preferences, then choose a style for the board and pieces. The New England Patriots have selected former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the No. 15 pick of the NFL draft, their biggest move to date to bring in a player to possibly be a long-term. A 3D game based on chess, in the style of Battle Chess. What makes it a unique game is its mechanic: When a Black (undead) piece captures a White piece, that White piece turns into a Black one!
The game wasn't very successful and one year later Magnetic decided to add graphics and port the adventure to several home computers including Apple II, DOS, Macintosh, Commodore 64 and Atari ST. But the platform where the game really became a masterpiece was the Amiga. The graphics (mostly the same for all 16 bit versions), was very good and state-of-the-art for 1986. But the music on the Amiga port was simply amazing. The Pawn was the first game to features digitized instrument samples, using the revolutionary Paula chipset of the Commodore 16bit computer. This was something unprecedented for the 1986.
It was not only graphics and music anyway, the Pawn had a very interesting plot and a brilliant parser, making it a very good interactive fiction. The game got amazing reviews from the magazines and it won the Golden Joystick Award as game of the year and it was voted Best Adventure of the year by the readers of Crash Magazine.
Review by: Manu
Published: 26 May 2017 2:17 pm
| The Pawn | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Magnetic Scrolls |
| Publisher(s) | Rainbird Software |
| Designer(s) | Rob Steggles |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW, Apple II, Archimedes, Atari ST, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Macintosh, Sinclair QL, ZX Spectrum[1] |
| Release | 1985: Sinclair QL 1986: Apple II, Amiga, Atari ST, C64 1987: Spectrum |
| Genre(s) | Interactive fiction |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The Pawn is an interactive fiction game for the Sinclair QL written by Rob Steggles of Magnetic Scrolls and published by Rainbird in 1985. In 1986, graphics were added and the game was released for additional home computers.
Plot[edit]
The Pawn Mac Os Download
The character controlled by the player is knocked unconscious and awakens in the fairy land of Kerovnia, a silver bracelet around their wrist that cannot be removed.[2] A general election is about to be held to decide whether King Erik will be replaced by a dwarf whose campaign promise is to 'rid dungeons of mazes of any sort.' The character must interact with others and perform tasks for them, gathering objects that will be needed for later tasks in order to escape from Kerovnia and return to reality.[2]
Development[edit]
The Pawn was written by Rob Steggles at Magnetic Scrolls in 1985, and a text-only version was first published for the Sinclair QL in 1985.[3] After Magnetic Scrolls secured a publication deal with Rainbird, a graphical version of the game was then released for other platforms in 1986.[4]
The game is written in 68000 assembler. Later versions use a cut-down 68000 virtual machine even on less powerful machines like the Z80-based Sinclair Spectrum. The Amiga version uses digitized instrument samples in its title music early in that computer's lifecycle. The peaceful title music was composed by John Molloy and it features guitar and flute sounds.[5]
Reception[edit]
By late 1987, The Pawn was Firebird's second best-selling Commodore game.[6] Reviewers complimented it for its excellent graphics (on some versions) and the opening music available in some game versions. The game itself–story and parser–got mostly positive reviews.
- In the October 1986 edition of Compute!, Neil Randall described The Pawn as 'parod[ying] the entire genre of interactive fiction, showing us that much of it — even the serious stuff — has its shortcomings', giving as example a character campaigning to eliminate mazes in text adventures. Randall commented that some of the Atari ST version's graphics were 'superb' but wished that the pictures contributed to solving the game instead of being optional. He concluded that 'Firebird has given us a good adventure, one that bodes well for the company and for all of us adventurers'.[7]
- In the December 1986 edition of Computer Gaming World, Roy Wagner stated that The Pawn 'shows how well something can be done for the Amiga when one KNOWS the machine'.[8] Roy Wagner reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that 'Both humor and challenge are present here, two of the key elements of any good adventure (along with an excellent parser and outstanding presentation).'[9]
- In the January–February 1987 edition of Info, Benn Dunnington gave the Amiga version four-plus stars out of five, praising the 'excellent graphics' and text parser. Dunnington concluded, 'The Pawn's story is good, the characters are interesting, and the play is entertaining'.[10]
- In the July 1987 edition of Commodore Magazine, Shay Adams thought the game's sophisticated parser 'handily parses circles arounjd every American counterpart except Infocom's - and it's not far behind that one.' Adams was highly impressed by the game plot as well, saying, 'The Pawn also delivers well-honed prose, vivid graphics, innovative visual effects, and dozens of puzzles - some diabolically difficult, others deceptively simple - in an imaginative story.' He concluded with a strong recommendation: 'Technically and creatively, this is England's all-time best adventure game. For advanced players, The Pawn is a must whether you prefer text or graphic adventures.'[2]
Two reviews of the game appeared in Dragon:
- In the October 1986 edition, Hartley and Pattie Lesser stated that the Atari ST version's 'painted' scenes will leave you in awe'. They also praised the 'sophisticated language parser' and thought 'the intriguing plot' would be 'extremely appealing to all gamers.'[11]
- In the June 1988 edition, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser reviewed the IBM PC and PC compatible version, commenting that since their previous review The Pawn 'is steadily pushing toward the status of becoming a classic adventure.' The Lessers thought highly of the game, saying, 'The Pawn is not only great for experienced adventurers, but because of the interactivity of the scenario's characters, it also enables novice gamers to learn as they progress through the land of Kerovnia. This is certainly one offering that any computer-game library should contain.' They gave the game an above average rating of 4 out of 5 stars if played on an IBM PC or compatible equipped with an Enhanced Graphics Adapter EGA board, but only 2½ stars for systems without an EGA board.[12]
Awards[edit]
In 1988, readers of Crash voted The Pawn 'Best Adventure Game of the Year'.[13]
It was also 'Best Adventure Game of the Year' at the 1987 Golden Joystick Awards.[14]
References[edit]
- ^Meier, Stefan. 'Magnetic Scrolls Fact Sheet'. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ abcAdams, Shay (June 1987). 'The Pawn: England's Finest Hour'. Commodore Magazine. 8 (7): 47. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^'Adventure Corner'. Personal Computer Weekly. Sunshine Publications (66): 28. 10 October 1985. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^'The Pawnbrokers'. ZX Computing. Argus Press: 54–55. August 1986. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^Maher, Jimmy. 'The Pawn's Second Life (or, When Tony Met Anita)'.
- ^Ferrell, Keith (December 1987). 'The Commodore Games That Live On And On'. Compute's Gazette. pp. 18–22. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^Randall, Neil (October 1986). 'The Pawn For Atari ST'. Compute!. p. 60. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^Wagner, Roy (December 1986). 'Amiga Preferences'. Computer Gaming World (33). p. 45. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^Wagner, Roy (January–February 1987). 'Amiga Preferences'. Computer Gaming World. 1 (34): 42, 55.
- ^Dunnington, Benn; Brown, Mark R.; Malcolm, Tom (January–February 1987). 'Amiga Gallery'. Info. pp. 90–95.
- ^Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Pattie (October 1986). 'The Role of Computers'. Dragon (114): 72–76.
- ^Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (June 1988). 'The Role of Computers'. Dragon (134): 80–86.
- ^'The 1987 CRASH Readers' Awards', CRASH, Newsfield Publications (51): 57–58, April 1988Alt URL
- ^'Golden Joystick Awards'. Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing (66): 101. April 1987. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
External links[edit]
The Pawn Mac Os X
- The Pawn at Magnetic Scrolls Memorial
- The Pawn at Lemon 64
- The Pawn at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
The Pawn Mac Os 11
, with cassette inlay and links to original reviews
The Pawn Mac Os Catalina
Plot[edit]
The Pawn Mac Os Download
The character controlled by the player is knocked unconscious and awakens in the fairy land of Kerovnia, a silver bracelet around their wrist that cannot be removed.[2] A general election is about to be held to decide whether King Erik will be replaced by a dwarf whose campaign promise is to 'rid dungeons of mazes of any sort.' The character must interact with others and perform tasks for them, gathering objects that will be needed for later tasks in order to escape from Kerovnia and return to reality.[2]
Development[edit]
The Pawn was written by Rob Steggles at Magnetic Scrolls in 1985, and a text-only version was first published for the Sinclair QL in 1985.[3] After Magnetic Scrolls secured a publication deal with Rainbird, a graphical version of the game was then released for other platforms in 1986.[4]
The game is written in 68000 assembler. Later versions use a cut-down 68000 virtual machine even on less powerful machines like the Z80-based Sinclair Spectrum. The Amiga version uses digitized instrument samples in its title music early in that computer's lifecycle. The peaceful title music was composed by John Molloy and it features guitar and flute sounds.[5]
Reception[edit]
By late 1987, The Pawn was Firebird's second best-selling Commodore game.[6] Reviewers complimented it for its excellent graphics (on some versions) and the opening music available in some game versions. The game itself–story and parser–got mostly positive reviews.
- In the October 1986 edition of Compute!, Neil Randall described The Pawn as 'parod[ying] the entire genre of interactive fiction, showing us that much of it — even the serious stuff — has its shortcomings', giving as example a character campaigning to eliminate mazes in text adventures. Randall commented that some of the Atari ST version's graphics were 'superb' but wished that the pictures contributed to solving the game instead of being optional. He concluded that 'Firebird has given us a good adventure, one that bodes well for the company and for all of us adventurers'.[7]
- In the December 1986 edition of Computer Gaming World, Roy Wagner stated that The Pawn 'shows how well something can be done for the Amiga when one KNOWS the machine'.[8] Roy Wagner reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that 'Both humor and challenge are present here, two of the key elements of any good adventure (along with an excellent parser and outstanding presentation).'[9]
- In the January–February 1987 edition of Info, Benn Dunnington gave the Amiga version four-plus stars out of five, praising the 'excellent graphics' and text parser. Dunnington concluded, 'The Pawn's story is good, the characters are interesting, and the play is entertaining'.[10]
- In the July 1987 edition of Commodore Magazine, Shay Adams thought the game's sophisticated parser 'handily parses circles arounjd every American counterpart except Infocom's - and it's not far behind that one.' Adams was highly impressed by the game plot as well, saying, 'The Pawn also delivers well-honed prose, vivid graphics, innovative visual effects, and dozens of puzzles - some diabolically difficult, others deceptively simple - in an imaginative story.' He concluded with a strong recommendation: 'Technically and creatively, this is England's all-time best adventure game. For advanced players, The Pawn is a must whether you prefer text or graphic adventures.'[2]
Two reviews of the game appeared in Dragon:
- In the October 1986 edition, Hartley and Pattie Lesser stated that the Atari ST version's 'painted' scenes will leave you in awe'. They also praised the 'sophisticated language parser' and thought 'the intriguing plot' would be 'extremely appealing to all gamers.'[11]
- In the June 1988 edition, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser reviewed the IBM PC and PC compatible version, commenting that since their previous review The Pawn 'is steadily pushing toward the status of becoming a classic adventure.' The Lessers thought highly of the game, saying, 'The Pawn is not only great for experienced adventurers, but because of the interactivity of the scenario's characters, it also enables novice gamers to learn as they progress through the land of Kerovnia. This is certainly one offering that any computer-game library should contain.' They gave the game an above average rating of 4 out of 5 stars if played on an IBM PC or compatible equipped with an Enhanced Graphics Adapter EGA board, but only 2½ stars for systems without an EGA board.[12]
Awards[edit]
In 1988, readers of Crash voted The Pawn 'Best Adventure Game of the Year'.[13]
It was also 'Best Adventure Game of the Year' at the 1987 Golden Joystick Awards.[14]
References[edit]
- ^Meier, Stefan. 'Magnetic Scrolls Fact Sheet'. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ abcAdams, Shay (June 1987). 'The Pawn: England's Finest Hour'. Commodore Magazine. 8 (7): 47. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^'Adventure Corner'. Personal Computer Weekly. Sunshine Publications (66): 28. 10 October 1985. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^'The Pawnbrokers'. ZX Computing. Argus Press: 54–55. August 1986. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^Maher, Jimmy. 'The Pawn's Second Life (or, When Tony Met Anita)'.
- ^Ferrell, Keith (December 1987). 'The Commodore Games That Live On And On'. Compute's Gazette. pp. 18–22. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^Randall, Neil (October 1986). 'The Pawn For Atari ST'. Compute!. p. 60. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^Wagner, Roy (December 1986). 'Amiga Preferences'. Computer Gaming World (33). p. 45. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^Wagner, Roy (January–February 1987). 'Amiga Preferences'. Computer Gaming World. 1 (34): 42, 55.
- ^Dunnington, Benn; Brown, Mark R.; Malcolm, Tom (January–February 1987). 'Amiga Gallery'. Info. pp. 90–95.
- ^Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Pattie (October 1986). 'The Role of Computers'. Dragon (114): 72–76.
- ^Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (June 1988). 'The Role of Computers'. Dragon (134): 80–86.
- ^'The 1987 CRASH Readers' Awards', CRASH, Newsfield Publications (51): 57–58, April 1988Alt URL
- ^'Golden Joystick Awards'. Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing (66): 101. April 1987. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
External links[edit]
The Pawn Mac Os X
- The Pawn at Magnetic Scrolls Memorial
- The Pawn at Lemon 64
- The Pawn at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
The Pawn Mac Os 11
, with cassette inlay and links to original reviews
The Pawn Mac Os Catalina
