Prisoner 2

The ''Prisoner 2'' is a video game published in 1982 by Edu-Ware. It is a remake of the 1980 game ''The Prisoner''.

Gameplay

In 1982, Edu-Ware released a second version of the game entitled ''Prisoner 2'', with color and improved high-resolution graphics replacing the original's top-down perspective with a first-person view. In addition to the Apple II, this version was also available for the Atari 8-bit computers and MS-DOS. ''Prisoner 2'' was essentially the same as the first ''Prisoner'' game, only with updated graphics and a limited number of design changes, several of which referenced other games:

* A fence (which the player may attempt to jump over) now surrounds the Island.
* Rover's appearance was changed from a white ball to that of an entity resembling Pac-Man.
* The ''Hospital'' is now home to the Milgram Experiment, which is now a special event that occurs periodically.
* The Free Information display was moved to the ''Town Hall''; the Hall still houses the ''Run the Island'' task but only as a special event occurring periodically.
* The ''Recreation Hall'' has expanded obstacle courses.
* The ''Great Chair'' has been moved into a multi-roomed building called the ''Switchyard.'' Most rooms are identical to each other except for a single letter on the wall, which together spell out " Rubik's Cube". Three rooms are special: the Great Chair room itself, the switch room (with a switch to disable the music that accompanies the scrolling game text), and the exit.
* The ''Library'' sends the player on literary-themed quests for the Wicked Witch of the West's broomstick or Injun Joe's treasure (from ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer''), if he chooses not to burn books.
* The building that formerly housed the Milgram Experiment is renamed ''Grail Hall'' and contains items for the ''Library'' quests. It is a maze of rooms, including some that mimick the look of Scott Adams' adventure games, or that reference adventure games such as ''Colossal Cave Adventure'' (a cave with the word "PLUGH" written on the wall), '' Wizard and the Princess'' (a castle, whereupon arrival, the player is sent back to the ''Castle''), and ''Mystery House'' (whereupon arrival, the player is told "He's killed Ken!" (a reference to Ken Williams of Sierra On-Line) and is accused of murder until granted absolution in the ''Church'').

Reception

Jeff Rovin for '' Videogaming Illustrated'' said that "A great piece of computergaming from both a design point of view and as a challenge, though the lack of originality is disappointing."

C.J. Thorns for ''ANALOG Computing'' said that "''Prisoner II'' is a superb package (I dare not call it a "game") that should provide weeks of entertainment. It goes far beyond the traditional "collect the right combination of treasures" adventure, and includes some diabolical arcade-like sequences to frustrate you even more."

Jeff Hurlburt for ''SoftSide'' said that "''Prisoner 2'' is a superbly crafted adventuring experience. Surely among the more complex computer games, it will repay the involved player with hours of enjoyment in a variety of imaginative, challenging, often humorous scenarios."

''Softalk'' said that "You have been forewarned. The time and patient you devote to delving into the mysteries of the Island will be well spent. Be seeing you."

Paula Polley for ''Atari Connection'' wrote that "Eduware employees report that the CIA uses ''Prisoner 2'' both to interview applicants and train budding spies in terrorist handling techniques" and also claimed that the game had "been used in the psychiatric field to treat patients suffering from paranoia."

''Prisoner 2'' was voted the fourth most popular fantasy game in the annual ''Softalk'' reader poll in its 1982 poll.

Reviews

*''Micro 7'' - Mar, 1984
*''Computer Games'' - Nov, 1983
*'' Jeux & Stratégie'' #22

References

External links

Playable version of The Prisoner 2 at the Internet Archive
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Scans of the Prisoner 2 design documentReview
in ''Compute!''s Guide to Adventure Games

{{The Prisoner

1982 video games
Adventure games
Apple II games
Atari 8-bit computer games
DOS games
Edu-Ware games
Single-player video games
Video games based on television series
Video games developed in the United States
Video games set in prison