DIAMOND TRAIL /Gilsoft/ ======================= This game depends of some random events, so at one place it is not possible to give an exact step by step solution. However, the solution will be formalized as many as possible. Here will be given two solutions. The first one is the most logical solution. But, once you finish the game using this solution, you will be challenged to find the shortest solution (in 115 moves). So, this solution is given here too (without any comments, because they are the same as those given with the first solution). Solution I: ----------- This is the most logical solution: W, N, EXAMINE PURSE, OPEN PURSE (a 1.00 pound note is in it), GET NOTE, S, S, E, N, DROP NOTE, GET COIN (a 50p coin - you need to drop the note before getting this, else this act will be treated as a stealing), S (you are hungry, so you need to find a food), GET LADDER, W, N, EXAMINE ROAD (you can see a Zebra crossing), CROSS ZEBRA, S, ENTER DELICATESSEN, USE COIN (on the vending machine), GET HAMBURGER, EAT HAMBURGER (much better), S, GET MATCH, N, E, S, GET MACKINTOSH, WEAR MACKINTOSH (a protection against a damaged fire hydrant), N, N, W, GET GUN, N, READ BOOK (a hint about how to use a laser cutter), S, E (the hydrant starts to shower acidic water, but you are protected), CROSS ZEBRA, S, CLIMB LADDER, GET KEY, D, S, E, E, CLIMB LADDER (the dustbins are in the way), DROP LADDER, CLIMB DUSTBINS, GET CUTTER, UNLOCK DOOR, DROP KEY, W, GET LAMP (now, you must not leave the museum through a regular exit, because you will be arrested for stealing the lamp), E, S, W, W, N, N, E, E (starting from this place, a man will appear at the random moment and will take a shot at you; when this happens do SHOOT MAN), S, USE CUTTER, TWIDDLE KNOBS (to cut the cover - a hint from the book), DROP CUTTER, LIGHT MATCH, LIGHT LAMP, D, E, E, E, D, GET CARD, S, N, N, N, E, U, N, E, BUY TICKET, GIVE CARD, W, W, N, GET KNIFE, S, W, S, READ NOTICE (a hint about what happens with the tube trains), D (you need a ticket), GIVE TICKET, WAIT TRAIN (do not board this train - it will crash), WAIT TRAIN (another one), ENTER TRAIN (after a while you will reach a new station somewhere in Wales; I don't know whether the name of the station "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" is a coded hint, or just a parody on Welsh language), E, EXAMINE CRATE (very interesting), OPEN CRATE (with the knife), DROP KNIFE, GET DIAMOND, EXAMINE DIAMOND (well, now you have it, but you can not bring it in the tower using a regular entrance, because you will be arrested; instead you need to use a thief's way through the sewer), W, ENTER TRAIN, U, N, E, E, S, D, E, E, E, D, S, N, E, W, U, OPEN DOOR (you are at the right place), DROP DIAMOND, GET FAKE JEWEL, D, N, N, N, CROSS ZEBRA, E (well done). Solution II: ------------ This is the shortest possible solution (in 115 moves). W, N, GET PURSE, S, S, E, N, OPEN PURSE, GET COIN, S, GET LADDER, W, N, CROSS ZEBRA, S, W, USE COIN, EAT HAMBURGER, S, GET MATCH, N, E, S, GET MACKINTOSH, WEAR MACKINTOSH, N, N, W, GET GUN, E, CROSS ZEBRA, S, CLIMB LADDER, GET KEY, D, S, E, E, DROP LADDER, CLIMB DUSTBINS, GET CUTTER, UNLOCK DOOR, DROP KEY, W, GET LAMP, E, S, W, W, N, N, E, E (starting from this place, a man will appear at the random moment and will take a shot at you; when this happens do SHOOT MAN), S, TWIDDLE KNOBS, DROP CUTTER, LIGHT MATCH, LIGHT LAMP, D, E, E, E, D, GET CARD, S, N, N, N, E, U, N, E, GIVE CARD, W, W, N, GET KNIFE, S, W, S, GIVE TICKET, WAIT TRAIN, WAIT TRAIN, ENTER TRAIN, E, OPEN CRATE, DROP KNIFE, GET DIAMOND, W, ENTER TRAIN, U, N, E, E, S, D, E, E, E, D, S, N, E, W, U, OPEN DOOR, DROP DIAMOND, GET JEWEL, D, N, N, N, CROSS ZEBRA, E. Hints: ------ - Be carefully when you get an object: there is a lot of objects which must not be simply picked up, else you will be arrested for a stealing. That's why you also need to find alternative ways to bring out some important objects (for example, the lamp from the museum, etc.). - It is impossible to use the key to unlock a door inside the museum from the regular side. Comment: -------- A relatively good text only game, written by Tim Gilberts using The Quill. The parser is a strict verb-noun parser. The game has a good atmosphere, and it is not very hard to solve, although some puzzles are not so easy. Finding the shortest solution is an interesting challenge: although it is relatively easy to find a solution in 116 moves (once the game is solved), finding a 115-moves solution was a quite hard task for me... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Game solution by Zeljko Juric If something is not clear, ask me using e-mail: zjuric@utic.net.ba ***************************************************** Displayed on the Classic Adventures Solution Archive: http://solutionarchive.com