| Action Quest | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | JV Software |
| Publisher(s) | JV Software Roklan |
| Designer(s) | Jack Verson[2] |
| Platform(s) | Atari 8-bit |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Action Quest is a video game written by Jack Verson forAtari 8-bit computers.[2] It was published in 1982 by his company, JV Software.Action Quest combines real-time action with puzzle solving as the player explores 30 rooms in an attempt to collect 20 treasures.[3] Reviewers found the combination to be different from how puzzles in games—such asgraphic adventures—worked at the time.
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The player takes the role of a gun-carrying ghost exploring a world divided into 5 levels with 6 rooms on each.[4] Rooms contain monsters or timed-puzzles. The gun is used both to defend against monsters and to aid in puzzle solving.
The Creative Atari commented on the generic name, but found the real-time aspect to be "a rather radical departure from the format of traditional adventure games."[5] The style was also new toJohn J. Anderson ofComputer Gaming World's "Atari Arcade" column: "Rather than entering coded text commands, as one would expect with a conventional adventure program, this program is played solely with joystick and trigger."[1]
In a "B−" review, theBook of Atari Software 1983 stated, "The game's sounds and graphics are fair. The puzzle content is high enough that it will take several hours to retrieve all twenty treasures."[4] John Anderson agreed about the puzzles: "The play-value of this program won't diminish until you've reached the thirtieth room, which shall take quite some time to accomplish".[1]
Action Quest was followed by a sequel from the same author,Ghost Encounters.[6] Both games were later combined on a cartridge and published by Roklan asCastle Hassle.[7]
