Questprobe featuring Spider-Man

Questprobe featuring Spider-Man
Developer(s)	Adventure International
Publisher(s)	Adventure International
Designer(s)	Scott Adams
Artist(s)	Al Milgrom Teoman Irmak
Series	Questprobe
Platform(s)	Acorn Electron Apple II Atari 8-bit BBC Micro Commodore 64 Commodore 16 Dragon 32 MS-DOS ZX Spectrum
Release	December 1984
Genre(s)	Graphic adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player

Questprobe: Featuring Spider-Man is the second video game in the Questprobe series.

Gameplay

The player takes the role of Spider-Man, with powers including super strength and the ability to climb walls.^[1] Unlike previous releases, this game was not limited to simple verb/noun input, and could accept complex sentences.^[2]

Plot

Spider-Man encounters The Lizard.

Spider-Man begins the game imprisoned in a skyscraper which he must explore.^[2] He encounters characters such as Sandman, Hydro-Man, and Ringmaster.^[1] The player must solve puzzles and collect gems.^[1] He also encounters Madame Web and Lizard.^[2]

Development and release

In 1983, Marvel Comics and Adventure International entered an agreement in which Marvel would grant Adventure a ten-year license to create a series of adventure games based on Marvel's characters.^[3][4] The first installment of the series, Questprobe featuring The Hulk, was released on May 1, 1984,^[5][6] and was accompanied by a comic of the same title.^[7] In January 1985, developer Scott Adams revealed that he was developing a second Questprobe game with Al Milgrom based on Spider-Man, and disclosed plans to release a new game every three to five months, with a projected total of twelve or thirteen games.^[3]

This was the second graphically illustrated adventure in the Questprobe series by Scott Adams.^[8] The versions for Spectrum and Commodore 64 had graphics, but the other versions did not.^[2] The game comes with a mini-comic to set the scene for the plot.^[8]

Reception

Reception

Award

Publication	Award
Crash	Smash![9]

Sinclair Programs said that "the adventure itself is excellent, with enough puzzles appearing immediately to keep any adventurer involved and intrigued".^[1]

Personal Computer Games said that "the game is initially somewhat easier than The Hulk, but rapidly becomes very challenging. The White Wizard is currently deeply involved and urges other adventurers to join him".^[2]

Home Computing Weekly wrote: "Classy, but rather over-priced: recommended for masochists and adventure freaks!"^[8]

Paul Bond for Your Computer wrote: "Spider-man is the second adventure in the Questprobe series, a combination of comics and computer adventure games that allow you to become your favourite Marvel superhero".^[10]

Reviews

• ASM (Aktueller Software Markt) - Feb, 1986
• Commodore User - Aug, 1985^[11]
• Crash! - Mar, 1985^[12]
• Commodore Computing International - Mar, 1985^[13]
• Commodore User - Feb, 1985^[14]

References

1. "QuestProbe | Sinclair Programs". us.archive.org. February 1985. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
2. "Personal Computer Games Magazine Issue 15" – via Internet Archive.
3. Jermaine, John (March 1985). "Probing Questprobe". Commodore Power/Play. Contemporary Marketing. pp. 74–77. ISSN 0739-8018.
4. Gould, Steve (August 1984). "Scott Adams Interview". Page 6. No. 10. p. 19.
5. Kalata, Kurt (July 14, 2019). "Questprobe Featuring The Hulk". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
6. "Questprobe featuring The Hulk advertisement". Page 6. No. 10. August 1984. p. 18.
7. Jermaine, John (January 1985). "Software Gallery: Questprobe: The Hulk". Run. No. 13. IDG Communications. p. 14.
8. "Home Computing Weekly Magazine Issue 096" – via Internet Archive.
9. Game review, Crash issue 14, March 1985, page 98
10. "Your Computer Magazine (April 1985)". April 16, 1985 – via Internet Archive.
11. "Commodore User Magazine Issue 23". August 1985.
12. "CRASH 14 - Spiderman".
13. "Commodore Computing International - Vol 03 No 08 (1985-03)(Croftward)(GB)". March 1985.
14. "Commodore User Magazine Issue 17". February 1985.