Publisher: Infocom
Developer: Infocom
Year: 1985
Platform: Everything

Score: 5

Touted as an adventure game for beginners by Infocom, Wishbringer certainly fits the bill. I played this text adventure when I was fourteen and required no hints for the duration. But this romp is still enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

You play a postman with a directive from your boss to deliver a package to an old lady who lives at the north edge of town. Deliver it by 5 o’clock or you’re fired! Delivering the package is easy enough, but what’s in the package, as you later discover, triggers a series of events that unveil the secrets of your town, shrouding Festeron in darkness and terror. Of course, the fate of the town rests in your hands, but you must first discover what the hell is going on.

The wishbringer itself is a magick (sic) stone that can cast several spells if you’re carrying the proper items. While the spells can help the beginner get out of some sticky situations, solving the puzzles without the aid of the stone yields better results (and more points!). And if you never use the stone, you are rewarded with a more satisfying ending. The experienced gamer will likely never need the stone, but it does provide replay value if you want to try out alternate solutions.

As per usual with Infocom adventures, the writing is top-notch, and plenty of humor finds its way into the otherwise creepy ambiance. From the gloriously out of place arcade at the wharf to the suddenly creepy movie theater and the ominous police station, there’s always something fun to see or explore. While Wishbringer offers no surprises in its story, it should be a pleasant and rewarding experience for most players.