We’ve got far enough in our traversal of this ancient TRS-80 game that it’s time for a story update. Remember, this is blog-play-along style, so feel free to chime in as to what to do next in the comments.
This is the first “section” of the game. I suspect there will be one or two posts left to go, after which I’ll follow with an analysis. (You’ll notice immediately this is not the simplistic “deadly gauntlet” of Albino’s last game. I’m interested in the general effect interactive structures have and how much deaths should be the “player’s fault”, so to speak.)
The cover of the 80 Micro magazine in which Assignment 45 appeared.
In our story so far, Harry Flynn, Special Agent, was on the search for a kidnapped princess.
He immediately came across a cluster of huts guarded by a force field. Trying to be circumspect, he scouted around.
HARRY DRIVES UNTIL DARKNESS APPROACHES BUT FINDS NOTHING.
1) RETURN TO HUTS
2) KEEP LOOKING
Trying to be even more circumspect, he scouted even more.
HARRY DRIVES ON IN THE DARKNESS. SUDDENLY HIS SCANNER DETECTS A MAMMOTH FORM DECENDING FROM THE SKY. ATTRACTED BY THE LIGHTS, A GIANT MANTA MOTH SWALLOWS THE SLED.
Oh dear. Let’s try that again.
Harry #2 has a MEAD (“Matter Energy Amplification Diode”) which brings makes invisible things visible and decides to try it out.
Harry disembarks the sled, hides it, and goes to the barrier.
AS HE APPROACHES THE BARRIER HARRY HOLDS UP THE MEAD CELL. HE STUDIES THE COMPOSITION OF THE FORMERLY INVISIBLE FIELD. IT MAY BREAK DOWN UNDER LASER FIRE.
1) RETURN TO SLED
2) CONTINUE TO EXPLORE
3) USE HAND LASER
Since he happens to have a handy laser at hand, he tries to use it.
HARRY DRAWS HIS HAND LASER AND BLASTS THE BARRIER.
IT HAS A NEGLIGIBLE EFFECT BUT SETS OFF AN ALARM THAT BRINGS ARMOURED SENTRY ROBOTS. THE HAND LASER CANNOT STOP THEM. HARRY GETS VAPORIZED!
Alas, poor Harry #2.
…
Harry #3 materializes in a poof of light!
Harry uses his superior firepower.
HARRY FIRES THE POWERFUL TWIN LASER CANNONS POINT BLANK INTO THE BARRIER. THE BARRIER HAS BEEN WEAKENED SUBSTANTIALLY, BUT SENTRY ROBOTS OPEN FIRE ON HIM.
1) TURN ON SHIELDS
2) USE LASER CANNONS
3) GET OUT OF THERE
Followed by shields.
LASER BOLTS FLASH AGAINST THE SLED’S SHIELDS.
1) GET OUT OF THERE
2) RAM THE BARRIER
Ramming speed!
WITH FULL POWER TO FRONT SHIELDS, HARRY CHARGES THE WEAKENED BARRIER.
HE BREAKS THROUGH AND ZOOMS PAST THE SLOW MOVING ROBOTS.
HARRY QUICKLY HIDES THE SLED AMOUNG THE CLUSTER OF HUTS.
WITH LASER GUN DRAWN, HE CHARGES INTO THE NEAREST STRUCTURE
IT TURNS OUT TO BE AN ELEVATOR THAT PLUNGES DOWNWARD
HE IS IN A HUGE COMPLEX OF SILVER GLASS PANES.
EACH PANE IS SCORED INTO 5 CM SQUARES, AND EACH SQUARE IS PERFORATED BY A SMALL HOLE.
1) EXPLORE MORE
2) EXAMINE PANE
What do you do next? Please post in the comments.
Renga in Blue 
> examine pane
AS HE TOUCHES THE PANE, HE IS STUNNED UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN HE AWAKENS, HE IS SURROUNDED BY A SECURITY TEAM. A MAN WITH GOLD TEETH IS SMILING. THE MAN SPEAKS.
‘THE GREAT HARRY FLYNN. I NEVER THOUGHT I’D MEET YOU IN PERSON.’
(STANDING UP, HARRY RETORTS) ‘THE INFAMOUS DR. NON FROM KRUEL.’
‘YES, KRUEL. KIDNAPPING, REVOLT, USURPATION, EXTORTION LEAGUE.
YOU, MR. FLYNN, HAVE INVADED OUR HOSTAGE STORAGE CENTER.’
(HARRY PROBES) ‘TELL ME MORE.’
‘OF COURSE. EACH HOSTAGE IS KEPT FOR FUTURE POLITICAL USE. THEY ARE DATA PATTERNED AND LASER STAMPED ON THOSE SLIDES YOU CARELESSLY TOUCHED. INSERT A PELLET LIKE THIS, AND THEY ARE RECONSTRUCTED–UNHARMED.’
‘WITHOUT A PELLET, A NASTY SHOCK IS APPLIED. YOU MAY HAVE THIS ONE AS A SOUVENIR.’
(DR. NON SLIPS A PELLET INTO HARRY’S SHIRT POCKET)
‘TOO BAD YOU MUST LEAVE US NOW, MR. FLYNN… PERMANENTLY.’
HARRY IS TAKEN TO THE SOLAR MIRROR. ONE OF THE GUARDS EXPLAINS THAT DR. NON RESERVES THIS FORM OF EXECUTION FOR SPECIAL GUESTS.
HARRY IS STRAPPED TO THE MIRROR. AT SUNRISE HE WILL BE INSTANTLY TOASTED. THE GUARDS LEAVE.
1) BREAK BONDS
2) ROTATE MIRROR FROM SUN
3) USE MEAD CELL
4) PRAY
You’ve got to try “PRAY” at some point, if only for the yucks.
AS HE PRAYS, HE GETS THE IDEA OF USING THE MEAD CELL.
1) BREAK BONDS
2) ROTATE MIRROR FROM SUN
3) USE MEAD CELL
4) PRAY
(doing pray again just loops, in case any of you were thinking of that)
Rotate mirror from sun!
MIRROR BUDGES A LITTLE AS BONDS STRETCH.
SHOULD HARRY: 1) KEEP TRYING 2) TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
2 and then 3.
HARRY REMEMBERS WHAT ORR SAID ABOUT THE CELL AMPLIFYING THOUGHT WAVES. HE CONCENTRATES ON MOVING THE MIRROR’S POSITION CONTROL LEVER.
NOTHING HAPPENS.
SHOULD HARRY: 1) KEEP TRYING 2) TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
Uh, I guess since the bonds stretched after what Dee did, let’s try something else and then break the bonds?
THE MIRROR DOESN’T TURN FAR ENOUGH.
GOOD BYE HARRY!
We’re on Harry #4! Rewinding a little…
AS HE PRAYS, HE GETS THE IDEA OF USING THE MEAD CELL.
1) BREAK BONDS
2) ROTATE MIRROR FROM SUN
3) USE MEAD CELL
2?
MIRROR BUDGES A LITTLE AS BONDS STRETCH.
SHOULD HARRY: 1) KEEP TRYING 2) TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
I’m going to speed things along a little, even though it’s going to be fatal for our hero, and do #1.
THE MIRROR DOESN’T TURN FAR ENOUGH.
GOOD BYE HARRY!
On to Harry #5!
AS HE PRAYS, HE GETS THE IDEA OF USING THE MEAD CELL.
1) BREAK BONDS
2) ROTATE MIRROR FROM SUN
3) USE MEAD CELL
Let’s put that divine inspiration to good use: 3) USE MEAD CELL
Pingback: Steam Key Giveaway | Renga in Blue
From this point, the next four people who comment (who accept it) get a Steam key for To Burn in Memory.
There will be a drawing at the end for three people to choose from my Steam key pile.
re: Paul Ingerson’s choice, which did come after the Steam giveaway started:
HARRY REMEMBERS WHAT ORR SAID ABOUT THE CELL AMPLIFYING THOUGHT WAVES. HE CONCENTRATES ON MOVING THE MIRROR’S POSITION CONTROL LEVER.
NOTHING HAPPENS.
SHOULD HARRY: 1) KEEP TRYING 2) TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
(Note this was reached before, but we picked #2.)
Um, 1 I guess? (Also I played TBiM in IFComp so I don’t think I need a Steam key!)
It’s been revamped since then —
– Cardinal navigation for easier exploration.
– A fully dynamic ambient soundtrack, in addition to the memory themes.
– Major bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements.
– Completely overhauled user-interface for better readability and navigation.
(you can still pass if you want to, though)
I’ll do the update in a new message (and it’s an interesting enough choice I’m going to stall a bit and see if we can build up votes)
FINALLY THE LEVER MOVES AND ROTATES THE MIRROR AWAY FROM THE SUN. THIS GIVES HARRY THE TIME HE NEEDS TO BREAK FREE.
1) SNEAK BACK TO HOSTAGE STORAGE AND USE PELLET
2) ESCAPE AND RETURN WITH REINFORCEMENTS
3) CAPTURE DR. NON AND USE HIM TO BARGIN FOR THE GIRL
> escape and return with reinforcements.
I vote 1, use pellet.
1. Let’s be noble, hostages first. (Don’t put me in the giveaway… you can imagine my backlog.)
Another vote for (1) pellet.
1 wins the vote.
AS HARRY SNEAKS BACK HE IS SURPRISED BY A SECURITY TEAM.
GOOD BYE HARRY!
Will Harry #6 make it to the end?
1) SNEAK BACK TO HOSTAGE STORAGE AND USE PELLET
2) ESCAPE AND RETURN WITH REINFORCEMENTS
3) CAPTURE DR. NON AND USE HIM TO BARGIN FOR THE GIRL
AND FREEDOM
4) FAKE HIS DEATH BY TURNING MIRROR BACK INTO SUN
5) USE MIRROR AS WEAPON
(I cut and paste wrong, so you get two new options you can try this time around!)
(4) Fake his death!
> escape and return with reinforcements
I don’t think using the mirror as a weapon will work, but I’d like to see what happens!
Playing the game in the comments here is, er, confusing, but I’ll do anything for a Steam key.
Mostly I’m waiting to see all game outputs so I can make a quick and dirty HTML adaptation at http://turntopage4.blogspot.com/
Three way tie, anyone want to be a tiebreaker?
Otherwise I am throwing a die in a few hours.
I’ll break the tie for 4, Fake his death!
Success!
NO ONE WILL BE LOOKING FOR HIM NOW.
SHOULD HE: 1)ESCAPE 2)TRY TO CAPTURE DR. NON 3)GET THE GIRL
> 2. Try to capture dr, Non
I vote 3, get the girl.
Also voting (3) girl.
HARRY DASHES THROUGH THE CLUSTER OF HUTS, BUT STEPS ON A SONIC ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE.
Harry #7!
I’m going to speed things along….
NO ONE WILL BE LOOKING FOR HIM NOW.
SHOULD HE: 1)ESCAPE 2)TRY TO CAPTURE DR. NON 3)GET THE GIRL
Harry #8. Try #2 instead!
FOR THIS PLAN HARRY NEEDS A WEAPON. HE SNEAKS BACK TO THE SLED AND REMOVES A LASER CANNON. HE THEN CONFRONTS DR. NON AND A SECURITY TEAM. UNFORTUNATELY, HARRY’S LASER FAILS TO OPERATE.
Harry #9. Um… #1?
HARRY DASHES THROUGH THE CLUSTER OF HUTS, BUT STEPS ON A SONIC ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE.
So, that was a dead end. Harry #10 decides maybe faking his death wasn’t going to work. Rewind to back when he just escaped from the mirror using his MEAD device.
1) SNEAK BACK TO HOSTAGE STORAGE AND USE PELLET
2) ESCAPE AND RETURN WITH REINFORCEMENTS
3) CAPTURE DR. NON AND USE HIM TO BARGIN FOR THE GIRL AND FREEDOM
4) FAKE HIS DEATH BY TURNING MIRROR BACK INTO SUN
5) USE MIRROR AS WEAPON
(Remember, we’ve tried #1 and #4 now.)
Argh! All right, (2) reinforcements.
I’m going to vote for 5 here.
> 2. escape and return with reinforcements
HARRY MAKES IT OUT OF THE COMPLEX, BUT WITHOUT THE SLED. HE PERISHES IN THE DESERT.
1) SNEAK BACK TO HOSTAGE STORAGE AND USE PELLET
2) ESCAPE AND RETURN WITH REINFORCEMENTS
3) CAPTURE DR. NON AND USE HIM TO BARGIN FOR THE GIRL AND FREEDOM
4) FAKE HIS DEATH BY TURNING MIRROR BACK INTO SUN
5) USE MIRROR AS WEAPON
Given nobody has picked #3, I’m going to assume the vote now goes with #5.
HARRY TURNS THE MIRROR ON THE INSTALLATION AND DESTROYS IT.
DR. NON, HOWEVER, ESCAPES IN HIS PERSONAL SHUTTLE.
SHOULD HARRY: 1) GO AFTER DR. NON 2) GET THE GIRL
> (2) get the girl
(2) girl
2) girl
I’ll vote 1 just to be contrarian.
Regarding To Burn In Memory: I was intrigued by the game and bought it on Steam so I don’t need a key (if there are still any left).
A little more delay than I intended to have, but there’s now a new thread.