Blade of Blackpoole

Name: Blade of Blackpoole
Programmer(s): Tim Wilson
Publisher: Sirius
Year: 1983

Description:

Blade of Blackpoole, released in 1982 by Sirius Software, stands as a text and graphics adventure game that challenged Apple II players to explore a mysterious underwater kingdom. The game follows an adventurer's quest to retrieve the magical Sword of Myraglym from the depths of Blackpoole.

Players navigate through various locations using simple text commands like "GO NORTH" or "TAKE SWORD" while viewing static graphics that represent each scene. The game combines traditional text adventure elements with color graphics, which was innovative for its time on the Apple II platform.

The underwater setting creates unique challenges, as players must manage their oxygen supply while solving puzzles and avoiding dangers. The game features multiple rooms, complex puzzles, and various items to collect and use. Players encounter sea creatures and other obstacles while searching for the magical sword.

What made Blade of Blackpoole stand out was its robust parser system that understood complex commands and its detailed location descriptions. The game's graphics, while simple by today's standards, pushed the Apple II's capabilities by featuring colorful underwater scenes and character illustrations.

The difficulty level is challenging, requiring careful inventory management and puzzle-solving skills. Players must use items in creative ways and pay close attention to textual clues to progress. Death comes easily in Blackpoole's waters, making save games essential.

Blade of Blackpoole received positive reviews in computer gaming magazines of the era, with particular praise for its parser system and puzzle design. It competed with other notable Apple II adventure games like Zork and The Wizard and the Princess, though it offered a unique underwater setting that set it apart.

The game represents a key moment in Apple II gaming history when developers were pushing the boundaries of what was possible with text adventures by adding graphics and more complex game mechanics. While not as well-known as some of its contemporaries, it remains a solid example of early 1980s adventure gaming.