CROM
by JAS
Celerysoft
Spectrum 48
This is a long, moderately challenging game, with only a few flaws. It is
well-written, and proceeds logically from start to finish. Whatever your
liking is, this game has it – mapping, location descriptions, puzzle-
solving, etc. The biggest challenge I had was in loading the various parts
of the game that are needed. But maybe that was because of the one flaw I
noticed.
There are four separate sections which are accessed by following the
directions and resetting the emulator to the next part required. The four
venues are Crom, the City, the Cave, and the Fort. You are given passwords
as you complete each section to access the next one.
Part 1 – Crom - suffers from far too many locations where you spend too long
mapping (though there are some things to do, of course)..
Part 2 - the City - is straightforward. It describes what is facing you
and what you must do..
Part 3 – the Cave - has the most of the traditional puzzle accoutrements,
i.e. you need to find objects which you can use to solve another puzzle, to
find other objects, etc. You are not limited by the number of objects you
can carry.
Part 4 – the Fort - presents a challenge about to get to it. There appears
to be a bug here. Once you have the stone, you are told to return to the
cave with an incorrect password. Return to the City instead (logically, that
is where you should be going). The correct password is WILY. Then proceed
from there, doing what Enaxus told you.
HELP is available in some locations.
One object, the rope, is not described if you visit that Crom later. It
seems that if you want to see it, you must take it and drop it, and, I
believe, it will be there later. That is not really a problem, since you
only need it once.
Hints:
The correct order to visit the venues is:
Crom (leave by the gates);
The City (at the gates – make sure you have the assistants you need) ;
Crom (at the bandits);
The Cave (you finish this section at the beams);
Crom (As soon as you arrive, go north. Ignore the prompt to reload the Cave,
and reload City - password is WILY).
There are a few red herrings:
Part 1 – the log (and worms), the skull.
Part 2 – the ale, the bread
Part 3 – none
Part 4 – sword
Part 1:
There is no light source for the cave, so just EXAMINE CAVE.
Be friendly to the troll.
You can use the rope again at another location, but there is nothing there.
Part 2:
Need money? Sell something you find when you climb somewhere. To leave that
location, say UP OUT.
How to get back to the archivist when the alarm sounds? Use the sewers
again.
Part 3:
Your objective here is to get 5 parts of a key.
Once you throw the mattress you can jump in both directions.
Be careful at the well. Don’t break the object you need. Take the ladder as
well.
What to do at the acid? Pull the plug. Make a tool from two objects you
have. FIT one to another.
While you can use the pole at the chasm, it is better to SWIM.
Can’t get past the spider’s web? Burn it. You need to make a torch with two
objects first. The flint doesn’t work to light the torch. But you have the
makings for a fire don’t you?
It’s difficult to determine what exactly needs to go into the cauldron. The
liquid (acid?), and the stone – I think that is all. But, of course, the
fire has to be lit.
To make the charm into an amulet, DIP it (once you have all the ingredients
in the cauldron, of course).
Part 4:
How to get the key from the glass box? Evo gives you a clue. It needs to be
touched.
Solution:
Part 1:
You begin on a beach. INVENTORY (nothing), W, W, W, SW, SW (an elf maiden
drop something), REDESCRIBE, TAKE BROOCH, HELP (whose is it?), EXAMINE
BROOCH (Elena), CALL ELENA, EXAMINE ELENA, GIVE BROOCH (she gives you a
rope), INVENTORY (you have it), EXAMINE ROPE, NE, NE, NE, NE, TIE ROPE,
REDESCRIBE, DOWN, S (it’s dark), EXAMINE CAVE (there are nooks), EXAMINE
NOOKS (you get coins), EXAMINE COINS, N, UP, UNTIE ROPE, DROP ROPE, S, S, S,
SW, SW, SW (ignore the skull), S (you see a rock), TAKE ROCK, NW, N, N, N, N
(you see a hut).
IN HUT (you see a tome chained to a table), EXAMINE CHAIN, BREAK CHAIN, HELP
(someone will understand it), TAKE TOME, EXAMINE TOME, DROP ROCK, N, SW, S,
SE, W, W (you see a troll), SAY HELLO (he clobbers you and it goes dark),
HELP (grope around), GROPE, INVENTORY (you have an unrecognizable object),
EXAMINE OBJECT (you get a dagger), E (in a narrow tunnel with a back
blocking the passage north), HIT BACK (you kill the troll, unblocking the
passage), N, E, E, E, E, NE (outside the gates), KNOCK (you have to pay),
GIVE COINS (you are told to load “city” with a password.
Reset to “City” and type in the password given when you are asked for the
code.
Part 2:
You are told you can use money if you find some. INVENTORY (the dagger and
the tome), EXAMINE GUARD (he wears a red feather), N, E, S, EXAMINE GUARD
(you get keys), EXAMINE MAPS, OPEN DOOR, E, EXAMINE MAN, (he wears a red
earring), LISTEN (he is muttering Myra), W, DROP KEYS, N, W, W, EXAMINE
ARCHIVIST (he is wearing a read sash), SHOW BOOK (The archivist usher you
into the back room. He says the land is dominated by the Dark Lord who
lives in a fort on an island. He deposed the rightful king, Ablon, 10 years
ago. The archivist and the rebels have been working to overcome him. A few
years ago a powerful mage tried to defeat him, but failed. He gives you an
alarm clock and says to return to him when it rings as he will have
translated the book. The trapdoor will take you to the sewers. To get out,
go S, W, W, W, N. Only rebels were red).
Go DOWN, S, W, W, W, N, UP (at the alley), E, E, N, N, W, EXAMINE WINDOW
(vines), UP VINES, IN WINDOW (you see a necklace), HIDE (guards come in and
leave), S, TAKE NECKLACE, UP OUT, DOWN, HELP (necklaces cost money), E, N,
N, N, N, W, SELL NECKLACE (you get 99 tils), E, S, S, S, S, S, S, W, W,
DOWN, S, E, S (at the closed trap door), WAIT (until the alarm sounds and
disappears), REDESCRIBE (the trapdoor is open), UP (The archivist tells you
the mage created a huge stone which could drain the Dark Lord’s power if
placed on a certain base at the top of his tower. He hid the stone in a cave
system somewhere in the mountains, guarded by a few creatures. He was killed
before he had a chance to use it. The stone is called the Power Stone of
Arkron. You must see the rebels, whose leader is Enaxus and he is at the
Boar’s Head Inn. The rebel password is Myra).
Go DOWN, S, W, W, W, N, UP, E, E, N, E, N (you see Enaxus), EXAMINE ENAXUS
(he wears a red headband), SAY MYRA (he tells you to go into the sewers, S,
S, and E, open the grid and DOWN, S, S and shout his name), S, W, S, W, W,
DOWN, S, S, E, OPEN GRID, DOWN, S, SHOUT ENAXUS (an entrance opens up to the
south), S (in the hideout. Enaxus says there is no point in trying to get to
the island without the stone. Bandits inhabit the mountains and will kill
lone men. The boat Narcissus takes supplies to the fort, and you must stow
away in that after you have the stone. He ushers you out). Go N, UP, S, W,
N, UP, E, E, N, N, N, N, N, N, N, HELP (does Crom need some help in the
mainland?), BUY MERCENARIES (you get 10), S, S, S, S, S, S, S, S, S, S (the
guard opens the gate).
Reset until you get the first game “Crom” and use the password. You are at
the gates. INVENTORY (you have the dagger and the mercenaries) NW, NW, NW,
W, W, W, NW, N, NW, NE, N (the mercenaries dispose of the bandits), DROP
MERCENARIES, N, N.
Reset until you can load “Cave” and use the password.
Part 3:
You are in a dark cave. INVENTORY (you have your dagger), W, EXAMINE RUBBLE,
TAKE SPIKES, EXAMINE SPIKES (for climbing), E, NE, N, E, UP, N, N, EXAMINE
PUDDLE (you get a key), INVENTORY (part 1 of key), S, S, DOWN, DROP SPIKES,
IN WATER, EXAMINE BODY, TAKE WARHAMMER, EXAMINE WARHAMMER (lethal), TAKE
CHARM, EXAMINE CHARM (wolf’s head), SW, W, EXAMINE STALACMITES (you see a
nook), IN STALACMITES, EXAMINE MOSS, CLEAR MOSS (you see a trapdoor), OPEN
TRAPDOOR (it’s locked), HIT TRAPDOOR, DROP WARHAMMER, DOWN, DOWN (you see a
cauldron), EXAMINE CAULDRON (beneath it is a fireplace, but no wood), HELP
(insert logs to build a fire), W, TAKE AXE, EXAMINE AXE (heavy), TAKE HOOK,
E, N, W, EXAMINE PAINTING (you get a piece of paper).
EXAMINE PAPER (if you meet the rockman, to pass him without harm, cook up a
spell, and give him hell, by showing him your charm), E, N, TAKE BOWL,
EXAMINE TRIFLE (smells funny), S, E (you see a mirror, a curtain, and a
table), EXAMINE TABLE, (locked drawer), EXAMINE CURTAIN (supported by a
pole), TAKE POLE, EXAMINE BED, MOVE BED (you see a stairway), TAKE MATTRESS,
TAKE MIRROR, EXAMINE MIRROR, W, S, E (you see a log), CHOP LOG, DROP AXE,
REDESCRIBE, TAKE LOGS, TAKE WEDGE, TAKE TWIGS, W, INSERT LOGS, EXAMINE WEDGE
(big enough to keep a door open), N, E, DOWN (you see an open door), WEDGE
DOOR, N, N, HELP (to enchant amulet you will need magic), THROW BOWL, THROW
MATTRESS, JUMP (you get part 2 of the key and see a dead creature),
INVENTORY (you have part 2 of the key).
Go SW, EXAMINE SKELETON (the rope could be useful), UNTIE SKELETON,
REDESCRIBE, TAKE ROPE, EXAMINE SKELETON (red key in its jaw), TAKE RED KEY,
SE (you see a well), EXAMINE WELL (a ladder hangs down), DOWN, UNTIE BUCKET,
TAKE BUCKET, UP, TAKE LADDER, NW, NE, DROP LADDER, UP, S, E, E (you see a
hook), THROW ROPE, SWIM, N, NE, N, NW, TAKE THONG, NW, S, SE, SE, S, E, E,
SE, TAKE FLINT, NW, W, TAKE STONE, EXAMINE STONE (glowing orange, cold and
heavy), EXAMINE ROCKS (you reveal an entrance), IN TUNNEL, NE, NE, NE,
EXAMINE ACID (plug is out of reach), FIT HOOK, PULL PLUG, INVENTORY (you get
part 4 of the key), SW, SW, SW, SW, W, SWIM, W, W, S, UP, W, S (back at the
cauldron), LIGHT FIRE, TIE TWIGS (you make a torch), LIGHT TORCH, N, E,
DOWN, N, N, JUMP, NE, SE (spider webs block the entrance).
EXAMINE WEBS (black widow spiders), BURN WEB (you get part 5 of the key),
SE, NE, E, E, TAKE IRON KEY, OPEN DOOR (with red key), E, TAKE LIQUID, W, W,
W, SW, NW, NW, SW, UP, S, S, UP, W, S (back at the cauldron), POUR LIQUID,
DROP STONE (you create a green sludge), DIP CHARM (it glows with a white
light and you feel safer), DROP FLINT, DROP RED KEY, N, E, UNLOCK DRAWER
(you get part 3 of the key and they join together), INVENTORY (you have an
ornate key), DROP IRON KEY, DOWN, N, N, JUMP, NE, NE, E, EXAMINE GOLEM, SHOW
CHARM (the Golem crumbles), UNLOCK DOOR, E (you see the stone on a pedestal
surrounded by light beams), REFLECT BEAMS.
Reset to the “Crom” and use the password. Go N. Ignore the prompt to reload
the cave, and reload “City”. Use the password WILY.
Part 4:
You are in the city. INVENTORY (you have the dagger and the power stone), N,
N, N, N, N, N, N, N, E, S, E, E, N, N, E, HELP (you can’t swim to the
island), EXAMINE SHIPS (Narcissus is one), IN NARCISSUS, DOWN. You are told
to load Fort and a password. Reset until you have the Fort and use the
password given.
You are in the hold of a ship. EXAMINE BARREL (big enough to hold a man),
POUR WINE, IN BARREL, WAIT (until someone comes and carries the barrel out),
OUT (in a cave you see a sack), CUT SACK, REDESCRIBE, TAKE FLOUR, N, W, W
(you see a guard with a spear), THROW FLOUR (you kill the guard), EXAMINE
GUARD (he has keys), TAKE KEYS, UNLOCK DOORS, DROP KEYS, TAKE UNIFORM, WEAR
UNIFORM, SW (a fat man runs out), NE, W, EXAMINE PEASANT (dead), E, NW (you
see a warrior muttering about food), SE, N, UP, E (the cook says you can
have the cake), TAKE CAKE, W, DOWN, S, NW, GIVE CAKE (The warrior is Evo; he
can fight; he tells you the Dark Lord’s sidekick is Adom and he alone can
reach the key to the top of the tower).
EXAMINE EVO, SE, N, UP, E, E, S, TAKE CHALK, N, N, E, E, S, DOWN, NE, DOWN,
UP, UP (ignore the soaps and perfumes), W, N, E, OPEN DOOR, E, (you see Adom
and a body guard and dispatch them both), CUT HAND, EXAMINE DESK (you get a
book), EXAMINE BOOK (how to keep the spirits at bay, within a pentacle
inscribed in chalk, you will be safe from the forces of death and evil), W,
W, W, OPEN DOOR, N (you see the Dark Lord and are pulled back), W, S, S (you
see a box with a key and a plate), TOUCH PLATE, DROP HAND, TAKE KEY, S, E,
E, N, N, OPEN DOOR, W(it slams shut).
Go UP, E, TAKE HOOK, EXAMINE HOOK, TAKE MACE, W, W, DRAW PENTACLE, PULL
PRIEST, EXAMINE PRIEST (you take the rope and the body burns), EXAMINE ROPE,
E, N, EXAMINE BLANKETS (you see a stepladder), EXAMINE STEPLADDER (keeps
collapsing), TIE STEPLADDER (Evo says that after the stone is placed, there
is a limited time before the fort will self-destruct, so make sure an escape
route is prepared), TAKE BLANKETS, TAKE STEPLADDER, S, S, HIT BARS (you
create a hole), DROP MACE, TIE BLANKETS, LOWER BLANKETS (you have an escape
route), N, UP (you can see the base), PLACE STONE, S, OUT, DOWN, W, S, W, W,
DOWN, S, E, E (you see a boat), IN BOAT (the fort explodes).
You are finished.
Terri Sheehan
2010-08-09
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