Following the plot of James Clavell's novel, you take the role of John Blackthorne, a 17th century British sailor. After getting yourself stranded in Japan, you struggle to make it to the top of the Japanese society.
Notes
Straying from the usual Infocom design, the game is very linear, being split into 17 smaller sections, each of which must be solved in order.
According to Dave Lebling, the game was supposed to be a "collaboration with James Clavell ...which had turned out to be a pure licensing deal instead."
I seem to recall forking out an exorbitant amount for this one. A huge disappointment back then, and a recent replay only confirmed this. The writing is excellent, but the interactivity seems like an afterthought.
And don't forget that the writing wasn't Infocom's, but Clavell's - almost all of the text was (reputedly - I haven't read the book, but people who have confirm it) taken directly from his book.
I seem to recall forking out an exorbitant amount for this one. A huge disappointment back then, and a recent replay only confirmed this. The writing is excellent, but the interactivity seems like an afterthought.
And don't forget that the writing wasn't Infocom's, but Clavell's - almost all of the text was (reputedly - I haven't read the book, but people who have confirm it) taken directly from his book.