Return to Long Shadows for ZX Spectrum NEXT

10 May 24.  A revision to one line of code uploaded today'

The following game is a conversion of my 2023 game of the same title for the ZX Spectrum NEXT retro computer. This version runs a lot quicker than the 2023 version. Set up is only about 15 seconds. Also, all character, denizens and location graphics are now sprites. There are also 44 monsters - 14 more than the original game.

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Back in the 1980s I wrote several games  for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. They were all published by Sinclair User Magazine, either as a type-in or cassette tape that came with the magazine. The first of these, Forest of Long Shadows is still mentioned (favourably!) in Sinclair forums today. Therefore after 37 years, I decided to write a follow-up to 'Forest...', which is the game that you see here, (now for the NEXT computer).

You are warrior/wizard, equally adept at combat and spell-casting. The game is set on three levels, the further you delve, the more dangerous the foes that you'll meet. The game map and everything else about it is randomly generated so you'll get a different  layout to the 'board' each time you play. This is not an arcade game - you have to work out your strategy taking into account the various attributes you have. These can all be enhanced or reduced in game play. Look out for Fountains, where you'll enhance your MAGic points and also Guilds, where you'll learn new spells - you'll start with seven spells already learnt, but as you'll see, these can get used (together with your MAGic points) sooner than you'd like. You'll meet up to 44 'nasties' in the game and encounter various  locations, including Towers and Portals, to name only two.

The aim of the game is to complete one of the five quests and return to the City location, which you'll have to find. The quests are:

1. Amass 500 Experience points; 2. Visit the Wight Cave; 3. Acquire the Shield of Kandos; 4. Slay the Deathfiend; 5. Visit two of the four castles in the game.

Thankfully you have five lives at the start of the game, which means four Resurrection spells have been cast on you. There is a Resurrection spell  you can learn in the game to enhance this attribute or indeed you may have been allotted one at the start of the game.

The downloadable ZIP file has the main game in it plus an 11-page rulebook, Please select RLSNEXT.BAS to run the game.

P.S. Excuse shaky video on play through...