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I was instantly amused by the loading game and its accompanying
music (courtesy of Rob Hubbard) -- although only a basic
rendition of Space Invaders, it kept me busy
for the short time Eggcup took to load. I normally
don't stoop to playing arcade games, but it was either
this or polish my boots -- which I usually do stoop
to do.
Whilst
strolling along the M25, an irresistible urge overtakes
you to step out in front of a speeding C5 (is there
such a thing?). You subsequently die (probably of embarrassment)
and find yourself in a heavenly Golden Temple. Even
before you have time to begin your rendition of 'Open
up them pearly gates', God appears amid the traditional
but rather showy flashes of soul-searing light and plumes
of spirit-lifting smoke. He informs you that one of
his servants has stolen his Golden Eggcup (crime in
heaven?) and he charges you with finding it. Should
you be successful God promises to reincarnate you --
just in time for the start of World War III -- if you
fail he threatens to turn your soul into an egg which
he will then poach and eat. How can you refuse?
Beginning
in the Golden Temple, a thorough search of the surrounding
area reveals many an object to ponder over and an intriguing
hole in a broken fountain. This hole does not allow
you through if you arc carrying items. The solution
is fairly simple and belies the difficulty of the problems
to come.
Once
through the hole and at the base of the beanstalk, the
number of accessible locations becomes few. The problem
seems to be the Guard outside the hut. To get past him
you need to render him a has-been (or should that be
' have beans'!). Once inside the hut (hopefully armed
with the dead Sherlock you found on the train) the only
way to progress is down -- dark steps lead to the inevitable
maze, an elusive bird and a fascinating stone chair.
Graphics
abound: every location has an instant, attractive picture
to accompany it, helping the sparse text descriptions
build atmosphere. Largely reading only to verb/noun
input, any shortcomings from the parser are negated
by the logical, intelligent, user-friendly style of
writing. Humour, much like the big 'G' himself, is omnipresent
and is used in such a way as not to anger those of us
who may have a religious bent. Limited interaction is
possible with the characters who roam around heaven,
and although hardly original (Dandalf and Thoron for
example) their intermittent presence brought the odd
smile in my usually snarling mouth.
Rigel's
Revenge has gone down as one of the best budget
adventures ever, I think Eggcup will follow its
success. Une oeuf said!
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