I am looking for someone with a keen interest in the Phoenix / Topologika games - in particular Fyleet.
Having completed Acheton with the aid of several nudges (many hints), I am endeavouring to finish this game with the minimum amount of ‘cheating’. As this is a Phoenix game which was never released by Topologika, there are no hints available. Although I consider this a good thing, I would still appreciate some minor nudges in the right direction, since this is obviously a game which I would give a ‘severely difficult’ grading.
In addition, I have created a full and very accurate map of Acheton and wondered if there are people interested in this.
Having read many posts about Phoenix (Topologika) in this group, I would love to hear from Adam Atkinson in particular who was responsbile for the Phoenix game called Nidus. This is my first post here, so I hope I am posting to the correct board.
I can help with many but not all of the converted Phoenix games. Nidus is the only unreleased
one of those we have the source code for. I guess I should test that the current version
is finishable so we can finally release it. You are welcome to have the latest build I have
if you want.
I assume you are playing the z-code version of Fyleet from ifarchive.org.
“Avon” is the only Phoenix game I think I’ll ever be able to finish with minimal cheating. From what I read in other places, many seem to agree it’s the “easiest”, or, if you’d rather, the least obscure.
If you’re already knee-deep in Fyleet by all means stick to it (and especially if you’ve finished Acheton!), but if you want a game to play that makes you go “I sorted this mess out all on my own!” do try Avon.
When you say ‘minimal cheating’, how much is ‘minimal’ ?
You are now the second person to totally recommend Avon to me, so I will indeed be trying Avon next. In your opinion, do you think I could finish this Phoenix game without resorting to hints or a walkthrough (presuming a walkthrough exists) ? It would indeed be a first for me to complete a Phoenix game without resorting to some sort of ‘cheating’, I would count that as an achievement!
Still I’m glad to hear it’s still not easy. I hope we could maybe share moments and ideas from Avon after I have attempted it. How long ago did you play it and did you need to make a map?
I certainly did not need a map for the main game, though I did try to map a certain maze (as I recall, there was a trick to it anyway).
Avon is still cruel, mind. One of the tricks it can play on you is probably the cruelest of all (which I shan’t spoil). But it’s more approachable than the other Phoenix games. And “minimal cheating” does mean that occasionally you’ll need help, or the walkthrough (or even reading a review or other - that alone might help you catch onto the cruelest trick).
But hey. It’s manageable. And enjoyable, for those who like it (I did!).