Review Mazinkaiser 2/5 · Nov 5, 2017
Zork II: Same as the First
Whether it's an example of iterative design or not, Zork II is very much the spitting image of its predecessor, and changes nothing about its frustrations, intricacies, and obtuseness. Literally, I could copy paste the blurb in Zork I here, so feel free to see that one. The treasures are still used (to summon a demon!) and the general random-action …
Whether it's an example of iterative design or not, Zork II is very much the spitting image of its predecessor, and changes nothing about its frustrations, intricacies, and obtuseness. Literally, I could copy paste the blurb in Zork I here, so feel free to see that one. The treasures are still used (to summon a demon!) and the general random-action NPC enemy (the wizard!) is still present, albeit with a twist concerning a wand and a variety of spells.
However, regardless of new scenery, the game still has its old issues (getting lost waaaay too easily, a battery lantern and other such limited gameplay that discourages exploration) that prevent it from becoming a sequel to the story of Zork and another morbid curiosity.