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Zork: Nemesis is a 1996 graphical adventure game developed by Activision. It is the eleventh game in the Zork series, and the first such title not to appear under the Infocom label (Return to Zork was marketed with both the Infocom and Activision labels). It was released for the Apple Macintosh, MS-DOS, and Windows 95 platforms (the latter using DirectX, another first for Zork).
Plot
In the game, the player takes on the role of a nameless adventurer, charged by Vice Regent Syovar the Strong to enter the Forbidden Lands to investigate the disappearance of four prominent citizens:
- Madame Sophia Hamilton,
- Bishop Francois Malveaux,
- Doctor Erasmus Sartorius, and
- General Thaddeus Kaine.
Additionally, the player is to investigate the rumor of a curse put on the Forbidden Lands by a being known only as "Nemesis," which has already claimed as a victim the player's predecessor, Agent Karlok Bivotar.
[Stub: The game's plot probably should be expanded upon, including (with a nod toward the spoiler warning) the locations visited, the alchemical aspects, and the other two main characters.]
Gameplay
Zork: Nemesis employed technology Activision dubbed "Z-Vision Surround Technology." This gave users a simulated 360-degree view of each location visited.
[Stub: This description needs expanding upon, both from a user and technical standpoint; compare and contrast it with other games using similar attempts at simulating 360-degree views (Riven?). Also, the inventory mechanism is worth noting.]
A Mixed Reception
Zork: Nemesis was a significant departure from the rest of the Zork series. Many long-time fans of the series criticized Nemesis for its dark, sober atmosphere, which was in stark contrast to the playful, light-hearted spirit of the previous entries. Those for whom Nemesis was their first exposure to the Zork series, on the other hand, generally approved of the game's realism and found it to be a game that could stand on its own merits.
Regardless, Activision seemed to ultimately side with the long-time fans: the next game in the series, Zork: Grand Inquisitor, is more in keeping with the light, jovial atmosphere established by the earlier entries in the series.
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