How Would YOU Rank the First 8 Scott Adams Adventures?

In 1978 Scott Adams introduced Adventureland to the world. It would have the distinction of being possibly the very first adventure game created for the home computer and the very first in the Adventure series which would go on to span 14 games. The twelve original text adventures would be re-released with graphics as Scott Adams Graphic Adventures (SAGA) beginning in 1982. The final two games debuted with graphical versions while the first twelve were initially released purely as text adventures. Pirate Adventure was also released in 1978 and remains a fan favorite to this very day.

1979 was a busy year for Scott Adams. He formed Adventure International and over the course of that year released six additional text adventures in the Adventure series: Secret Mission, Voodoo Castle, The Count, Mystery Fun House, Strange Odyssey, and Pyramid of Doom. Scott was a pioneer in computer programming and early game design. The puzzles found in his interactive adventures would lay the groundwork for and influence many in the field. In 1990 Computer Gaming World reported a statement by a “respected designer” that it was impossible to design new and more difficult adventure puzzles, because Adams had already created them all in his early games. He was not content to copy or mimic but would constantly experiment with and push the boundaries of text adventures. You could see the growth and experimentation with each successive game produced in 1979.

Scott’s adventures first appeared on a 16 KB Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I but were subsequently released on most of the major home computers of the day such as Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, Commodore PET, VIC-20, and ZX Spectrum. Scott’s work in the field is nowhere near finished as we roll into 1980 but I thought it would be fun to rank the first eight adventures to appear in the Adventure series. I am going to share my personal list but I am really interested to hear about yours. I understand that this is subjective and it will be greatly influenced by your favorite genres and your own nostalgia with these games. I will further stipulate that each of these games are significant in their own right and would find themselves in different rankings based on the criteria or question; but I’m going to rank my list based on pure enjoyment.

I agonized over this list a bit because quite frankly the entire list comprises just about all of the best interactive fiction that 1978 and 1979 had to offer anyway. I am at this point what you might call a Scott Adams “fan boy” for a number of reasons. You could make the argument that he was the first person to create an adventure game for the personal home computer and you have to admire and respect his creation and formation of Adventure International. He was an entrepreneur and pioneer during the growth of personal home computer gaming. In those early years you would have been hard pressed to find a company that did a better job advertising their games and Scott Adams worked hard to port his games to most of the major home computers. When you add in the proliferation of games Scott created in 1979; each one advancing and experimenting with the medium how can you not be a huge fan? So by ranking these games this is not an indictment against any of them but a celebration of their creation and, once again, completely subjective. So, without further ado, here is my own ranking of the Scott Adams games up to 1980.

1. Voodoo Castle

Voodoo Castle cover art

I will forever remember this ending because it was so very different for a text adventure at the time. Maze and treasure hunting tropes had been kicked to the curb to be replaced by a game that played more like a giant puzzle box.

2. The Count

The Count cover art

This was a game that introduced the progression of time and plot where every move had to be choreographed and perfectly orchestrated. There were a small number of locations that were all tightly plotted and well thought out. I believe I had to restart this adventure more than any of them; including Strange Odyssey.

3. Pyramid of Doom

I am sucker for the Egyptian theme. There is something about exploring the dark recesses of an underground pyramid that really resonates with me. This game is more than just a treasure hunt. Like Voodoo Castle, there is a much cooler meta-plot and the heart of a dark Pharoah to destroy.

4. Pirate Adventure

The pirate theme has an irresistible allure for many and if you want to introduce someone to the Scott Adams text adventures you could make a strong argument for this one to be the place to start.

5. Mystery Fun House

This is probably in a higher position on my own list than it may find itself in other’s lists but I liked the puzzles and the quirky humor sprinkled throughout the game. While I am not a big fan of the addition of humor in my adventure games it seemed to work here. The puzzles and locations were just plain quirky, odd and unusual (pick your favorite synonym) but seemed well placed for a Mystery Fun House.

6. Secret Mission

This is not my favorite genre by any stretch however this was Adam’s first foray away from maze and treasure hunt tropes so deserves an elevated spot. There was a tight plot, a limited number of moves, and a small number of locations all densely woven together.

7. Strange Odyssey

This was Scott Adam’s first foray into the science fiction genre. It introduces teleportation and a completely disconnected map. This game was hard. It advertises itself as moderate but I’m going to respectfully disagree and is easily head & shoulders the hardest game of the first eight. Your frustration factor will be high with this one but so are the rewards when you solve the puzzles.

8. Adventureland

I imagine that many will be surprised to see this game last on the list and I am almost positive it will find itself in a different spot in other’s lists. I enjoyed this game but I saw it as a homage to Colossal Cave and the springboard by which Scott Adams would grow and progress as a game designer.

There you have it. My current ranking of the Scott Adams text adventures through 1979. It serves as both a celebration of them and a “shot across the bow”. I’d like you to share your own list and rankings and any fond memories these games may bring back. I am sure some of these games are very nostalgic for some. What is even more exciting is that as we now move into 1980 and move forward there will be even more Scott Adams offerings to experience.