Maxwell Manor

[tjb]

Has anyone gotten very far playing Maxwell Manor? I was playing it this evening and I remember how frustrating the game can be. It's an interesting game but it can be very difficult IMO. Is there a map floating around anywhere? I believe there are random aspects to the game so I don't know if it's possible to map it but it would be nice.

 

tjb

 

 

[bfollett]

I never got anywhere near the end of the game back in the 80's, but thanks to the cheat features of the atari 800win emulator, I was able to finish that game a few years back. If I recall, I don't think the map itself changes from game to game, however I believe the location of objects and or traps changes from game to game, so if someone did create a map it would be of some use.

 

Bob

[tjb]

I never got anywhere near the end of the game back in the 80's, but thanks to the cheat features of the atari 800win emulator, I was able to finish that game a few years back. If I recall, I don't think the map itself changes from game to game, however I believe the location of objects and or traps changes from game to game, so if someone did create a map it would be of some use.

 

Bob

 

I've never used the cheat features of the Atari 800Win emulator. Are you referring to disabling collision detection? I may try my hand at creating a map from screenshots. I guess I'm more interested in exploring the game to see all the different areas than actually finishing it.

 

tjb

[bfollett]

 

I've never used the cheat features of the Atari 800Win emulator. Are you referring to disabling collision detection? I may try my hand at creating a map from screenshots. I guess I'm more interested in exploring the game to see all the different areas than actually finishing it.

 

tjb

 

Yeah, if you turn off collision detection, you can walk through the walls, so you can move around the whole map pretty easily. Though, there were a few areas where that can get you into trouble like falling endlessly. Also, I think I remember having to toggle collision detection back on when I needed to pick up an item like the gun or sword.

 

Bob

[graywest]

If I recall, I don't think the map itself changes from game to game, however I believe the location of objects and or traps changes from game to game, so if someone did create a map it would be of some use.

 

This is true - the basic layout of the screens is always the same. However, I think that some paths may be blocked or unblocked depending on which variation you are playing. (For example, sometimes the welcome mat is a trap, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes the doors in the foyer aren't locked.) Item locations are variable depending on the variation as well.

 

Also, the game isn't really randomized every time it starts. There is a number on the title screen that shows which variation you are playing. A random variation is selected every time you start the game, but you can choose *any* variation with the Select or Option button. Within one variation, the items and paths will be the same every time you play. I found it helpful to select one variation (think it was 810) every time until I beat it.

 

I can verify that it is possible to beat without emulator cheats, but it's just a very difficult game in general. Fun, though. I still haven't figured out all the puzzles... for example, in the variations where the coin is in the pool in front of the mansion, how do you get it out? It's not necessary to finish the game, but it's still driving me crazy.

 

There is a companion game to this one called "Mission on Thunderhead" that's space-themed and uses the same engine. Haven't beaten that one yet.

[graywest]

One more thing I just remembered - the three digit game number actually consists of two parts. One of the numbers (the first one, I think) is the "Difficulty" level from 1-9. The other two numbers are the "Variation" number. So basically, there are 100 different variations - ie., item positions, paths, etc. So 417 would be difficulty 4, variation 17. Or something like that.

 

I have no idea what effect the difficulty level has. Maybe I'll bust this game out again tonight and see if I can figure it out...

[bfollett]

I still haven't figured out all the puzzles... for example, in the variations where the coin is in the pool in front of the mansion, how do you get it out? It's not necessary to finish the game, but it's still driving me crazy.

 

Well, I'm not sure if it's the right way to play the coins in the fountain, but if you run straight into the fountain, you will usually move through it's deadly border area quickly enough to get to the safety of the solid water area before you die. At least thats what I used to do.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Bob

[bfollett]

There is a companion game to this one called "Mission on Thunderhead" that's space-themed and uses the same engine. Haven't beaten that one yet.

 

Wow, thanks I didn't know about Mission to Thunderhead. I just tried it and Yup, there's no denying that it uses the same engine as Maxwell Manor. I see many fun but frustrating hours ahead for me, because it seems tougher than Maxwell Manor, or maybe I just need to get used to it.

 

Bob

[graywest]

There is a companion game to this one called "Mission on Thunderhead" that's space-themed and uses the same engine. Haven't beaten that one yet.

 

Wow, thanks I didn't know about Mission to Thunderhead. I just tried it and Yup, there's no denying that it uses the same engine as Maxwell Manor. I see many fun but frustrating hours ahead for me, because it seems tougher than Maxwell Manor, or maybe I just need to get used to it.

 

Bob

 

No problem. Thanks for the tip on getting the coin out of the fountain. I think the "grass" or whatever it is is randomized - sometimes it kills in a short amount of time, and sometimes you can walk around on it for a bit. I guess I originally tried to walk through it to get to the fountain, got killed right away, and then gave up on that approach.

 

Anyway, yeah, Thunderhead is way harder. Especially because it's difficult to know what the items do. The "Phaser" is obvious, but then you start picking up things like "Warp Rectifier" or whatever and there's a lot of trial and error involved in figuring out what it does. Plus, there are two entirely different quests.

 

Anyone who likes adventure-style games like 2600 "Adventure" or "Galahad" for the 8-bits, give "Mission on Thunderhead" a try and share your tips. Please! I'm begging. :-)

[+therealbountybob]

Played this for 1st time yesterday after reading this thread... but it's tough trying to work out what to do, but was fun watching a friend being shot by arrows whilst trying to suss out the joystick menu controls... Interesting to note on the game's box (atarimania) it says "Complexity Level 6, where 1 is Easy and 10 is Hard"