The Time Machine (Spectrum English Version)

THE TIME MACHINE   

Sequentia Soft, Fran Kapilla 
Final Version 1.1
(english  & spanish version)

versión final 1.1 (5 sep 2023)

v 1.1 (20 ago 2023)
v 0.9.7 (12 mar 2022)
v 0.9.6b (15  jan 2022)
v 0.9.6  (14  jan 2022)
v 0.9.5 (13  jan 2022)
v 0.9.3 (11 jan 2022)
v 0.9.2  (25 dec 2021)
v 0.9 (22 dec 2021)
v 0.8 (19 Dec 2021) 

This game is a options adventure, ¿a visual novel?. You can play by selecting options, as if it were a game-book. It is inspired by H.G. Wells' 1895 book The Time Machine and the graphics have been redrawn from frames from George Pal's classic 1960 film. 

The rhythm of the game is very different from what is used in the arcades or more typical retro games of the Spectrum. It is somewhat close to conversational adventures (interactive fiction) but it really is a concept more in line with the new times since you can advance by choosing options (it can even be played on mobile devices with comfort because you only need three keys), you have an inventory with objects easy to use and also, if you get killed, you can continue playing in the phase you are in without having to start from the beginning. 

CONTROLS:
Q - up
A - down
ENTER - select 

I discovered this book and at the same time the movie thanks to my father, who loved this story. I have dedicated the game to our kitten Romy that although she never knows of the existence of this game, for me she is almost like a person (whoever has animals understands me). 

SIX LEVELS

At the end of each block a code appears, you must put it later, at the beginning of the next level to be able to play.  

Film, book, adaptation. 

This adaptation is quite based on the original plot, however, some things I have synthesized (for example: when the two friends come to see you in phase 1, in the book it is supposed to be a meeting of six scientists, but for space from memory, I have simplified some things), and others, like the ending, I have changed a little, to make it more original, not to be repetitive, to have another enjoyment attached to the original Wells plot. Of course, I want to recommend that you read the book and also that you watch the 1960 film, you can do it even before playing, so you can enjoy every step of the game even more without a script problem since in this version, this personal adaptation that I have made, there are differences especially in the conclusion. 

Documentation 

To make the game, I have had to document a lot about aspects of each era, 1899, 1902, 1918, 1940, etc. From the type of energy batteries that existed, the weapons, the vehicles, the fashions and even the type of hair or mustaches ... all this has been necessary to be able to create the puzzles, the plots and the graphics. It was fun. 

The Time Machine and John Titor 

I have included a detail related to John Titor, I do not want to tell it but I leave it for the player to discover for himself. I just want to comment by way of making, that in addition to this secret detail ... I have relied on the operation of Titor's machine to explain the Wells mechanism but with some steampunk elements from the 19th century. I thought about putting other time travelers into the plot (a Delorean ...) but I was running out of memory and it didn't occur to me to give it the serious touch that the plot needs. What I did include in the plot, in phase 1, is a certain book ... the first one that deals with time travel, before Wells, whom I admire but the dates must be taken into account. That book "The Anachronópete" is less well known simply because it is not English. 

Finally: donations are appreciated to anyone who wants to contribute something. It is an little incentive for the author.

Thanks to:

Aryekaix (main tester), RamonMax (rhythm tips), Ruber Eaglenest (inventory tips), Jari Komppa (Mucho engine), Juanjo Muñoz y Briefer (English translation), Sergio The Pope (creation of Mucho McChainer, who will use in future games) and Spirit003 and Jade for extra testing.