Zyll

Though it was at the time labeled an adventure game, it could with more justification be called an RPG. It does not have character advancement, but it does have more character creation than Diablo: you pick one out of three characters (Warrior, Thief or Wizard), then you choose your equipment (three types of armor, three weapons, two types of shields) and if you play a Wizard, you choose five spells.

Zyll is an example how dangerous it can be to incorporate hardware layout into game design. Like so many IBM applications, Zyll has a function key based interface. The menu (you can see it on the top left of the screenshot) is arranged exactly the same way as the function keys are arranged on a PC/XT keyboard. Unfortunately, in the same year IBM brought out the new AT keyboards, where the function keys are all lined up at the top, making the interface far less intuitive.

Finally Zyll should be seen as an example for the under-estimated role of IBM in the history of gaming. Despite of their reputations as suits or stuffed shirts IBM had always understood the importance of games for computer sales, and had actively developed some true gems like Alley Cat or Zyll.

Blurb

Once upon a time in the Land of Magic and Enchantment lived a young man named Zyll who dreamed of becoming a Master of Black Magic. Fortunately, all Zyll could do was fail—his potions never perked, the spells seldom worked. Still, Zyll was determined to practice the dark magic and promised to one day take over as Ruler of the Realm. The people banished Zyll from the land for his evil plans.

One day after spoiling his latest potion, Zyll hurled the flask to the ground. He watched in amazement as smoke billowed and a black orb appeared before him, suspended in air. Cautiously approaching the sphere, Zyll felt a surge of energy race through his body. This was the mystical Black Orb his ancient books of magic had described! It was written that whoever possessed the orb would have magical powers greater than any other sorcerer.

Using his new powers, Zyll took revenge against the land. He stole the magnificent Great Treasures that had been hidden in secret vaults for years and used the Black Orb to turn the once beautiful and wealthy country into a barren wasteland.

You, daring adventurer, decide to challenge the powers of Zyll. Magically, you are transported to a place near the Castle Mitain, Zyll's home. You must capture the mystical Black Orb and carry it home with you to restore the countryside to its former beauty. There is only one way to return home - the instant that four or more of the Great Treasures are brought together, you will be transported back to the Land of Magic and Enchantment.

Links

• Well worth a slot in our hallowed Hall of Belated Fame, Home of the Underdogs concludes:

  So what makes the game so revolutionary and unique? C.E. Forman said it all in his synopsis of the game: Jim Leonard of MobyGames called this one 'a MUD before MUDs existed.' It's an all-text RPG (even going so far as to include three classes of character to choose from), it's real-time, it allows two people to play at once (cooperatively or competitively), and it's highly randomized for replay value: Objects and monsters are placed differently in every game, much like the sample adventures in Delton T. Horn's excellent book Golden Flutes and Great Escapes.

  It might be added that MUDs had in fact existed for five years when Zyll was released.