The Pawn

Game review

The Pawn, released by Magnetic Scrolls in 1987, quickly became a highlight of the British interactive fiction scene. Dubbed Europe's Infocom, the game impressed with its imaginative fantasy plot set in the magical land of Kerovnia. Players find themselves with a mysterious silver band on their wrist, and their main objective is to navigate the political and mystical landscape of Kerovnia to escape.

The game features a rich cast of characters, including a dwarf running for King against the incumbent King Erik, a wise guru, and a formidable dragon. Each character is uniquely crafted, contributing to the memorable and immersive storytelling.

The Pawn is renowned for its advanced parser, capable of understanding a wide array of commands and handling complex sentences, setting a new standard in interactive fiction. The game's vocabulary exceeds 3,500 words, enabling nuanced interactions and detailed commands.

While the PC version's graphics may not match the quality seen on platforms like the Commodore and Amiga, the game's narrative, puzzles, and humor remain unaffected. Puzzles range from devilishly tricky to deceptively simple, offering a fulfilling challenge to players. Additionally, the game includes an online hint feature for when players find themselves stuck.

A testament to its quality, The Pawn comes with a comprehensive novella, Tales of Kerovnia, which enriches the game's background and lore. Despite its age, The Pawn stands as a revolutionary and enduring piece in the realm of interactive fiction, a testament to Magnetic Scrolls' legacy in gaming.