This file contains information about the games included in the Level 9 Compilation for the ZX Spectrum Next. For each game there is a brief description of the release and information about the year in which it was issued (original release year in parentheses), the original platform from which the files are taken, the game version used and the type of graphics in the game.
There are four main versions of the Level 9 game file format: V1 to V4. The Level 9 interpreter for Spectrum Next only supports V2-V4 games in order to minimise the interpreter size and since all V1 games were re-released as V2/V3 games anyway.
There are two types of graphics used in the Level 9 games. The earlier releases used line-drawn graphics that were memory-efficient and portable but very simple. The later games used platform-specific bitmap graphics; first, digitised pictures that were an improvement on the previous line-drawn graphics but still a bit rough, and then later hand-drawn bitmap pictures of top quality.
Note: two of the included games mix game files from IBM PC with bitmap files from Commodore Amiga. The reason for this is that the game files from the Amiga version didn't work with the walkthrough test scripts for these games, while the game files from the PC version worked fine. The graphics are better in the Amiga version, though, so the bitmap files are taken from there. This works fine since the bitmap files have the same names in both versions.
The three games comprising the Jewels of Darkness trilogy were Level 9's earliest releases. Issued as three individual games in 1982 under Level 9's own brand, they were originally known informally as the Middle Earth Trilogy. Later, the games were significantly revised and updated and published together as a formal trilogy in lavish packaging by Rainbird in 1986, under the new collective title, Jewels of Darkness.
Colossal Adventure is a complete, full-size version of the classic mainframe game "Adventure" with all the treasures, creatures, rooms and puzzles of the original. And we have added 70 bonus locations to the end-game. No one else gives you this. Visit Colossal Cavern and meet the giant snake, Chinese dragon and mercenary troll, and watch out for the knives of the evil dwarfs. No true adventurer should miss this game.
- Year: 1986 (1982)
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
Hundreds of years have passed since the time of Colossal Adventure and evil forces are invading the land. One hope remains: you must discover the old roads to the Dark Tower, fortress of the Demon Lord. Only there can you defeat him. The way is long and dangerous, through nine different regions of forest, desert, mountain, water, fire etc., but with cunning you can make it to the final confrontation with Agaliarept.
- Year: 1986 (1982)
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
Dungeon Adventure completes the Jewels of Darkness trilogy. The Demon Lord has been defeated and his Dark Tower cast down. But its dungeons remain, filled with hoarded treasure and magic. There are just two snags. Other creatures want the loot as well, and many guardians remain: skeletons, carnivorous jellies, black balls etc. Even an orc or two. Success will not come easily!
- Year: 1986 (1982)
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
In just the same way as with the Jewels of Darkness trilogy, Silicon Dreams took three formerly individual Level 9 releases, this time with a science fiction theme, and packaged together enhanced versions in a lavish box from Rainbird in 1986.
The massive starship, Snowball 9, is carrying two million hibernating colonists to Eden, fertile planet in the Eridani star system, in this top selling game with over 7000 locations. The Snowball has been hijacked and is heading into the sun in this first part of the Silicon Dreams trilogy. You'll meet Waldroids, Nightingales and other strange robots in this massive science fiction adventure. But the most baffling puzzle, according to many players, is how to use the control room computer.
- Year: 1986 (1983)
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
Return to Eden is the sequel to Snowball. Marooned in the deadly paradise of Eden's jungles, you must use the weird plant life to survive. Then tackle the strange robot city to secure the fate of the whole planet. Examine the air bush, explore the maze and maybe find your roots. Then meet Graunch the golem, Big Brother and pesky Pepsy Koala, to name just a few of the robots. This is quite a game!
- Year: 1986 (1984)
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
The Worm in Paradise concludes the Silicon Dreams trilogy and is set in the far future. Mankind rules a hundred planets and this empire is expanding throughout the galaxy. Utopia seems at hand, but one threat remains... Too many nearby planets can support human life and this cannot be by chance. It probably means mankind was intended to spread throughout the stars. But then what? Are we dealing with a benevolent God, or could mankind have been seeded by a cosmic farmer who will soon return to harvest his crop?
- Year: 1986 (1985)
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
Time and Magik was the third collection of individual Level 9 releases to be updated and repackaged as a formally titled trilogy by a new publisher, though on this occasion that publisher was Mandarin rather than Rainbird.
In Lords of Time, the evil Timelords are fighting to change world history with the aim of gaining permanent control over Time and warping eternity according to their wishes. You must travel through the eons inside an amazing grandfather clock. Visit many different time zones to search out nine essential artefacts, and combine them to protect Time and Magik and avert the evil planned by the Timelords.
- Year: 1988 (1983)
- Original platform: Amiga
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Digitised bitmap
Red Moon re-enacts a tale from the time where Magik still worked and when mythical monsters guarded fabulous treasure. You have the use of many weapons and a dozen different magical spells to help you rescue the Red Moon Crystal, the only source of Magik in the land.
- Year: 1988 (1985)
- Original platform: Amiga
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Digitised bitmap
The House of the Red Moon is a weird place, haunted by arcane powers from the mythical past. It is the only place where one might rise from Sorcerer's Apprentice to powerful Wizard, yet cheat the Price of Magik. The Price of Magik is the sequel to Red Moon.
- Year: 1988 (1986)
- Original platform: Amiga
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Digitised bitmap
Fierce winds seize your aircraft over the Bermuda Triangle and hurl it to destruction. You escape by parachute, floating downwards to the lonely atoll, "Emerald Isle", from which few escape. The only way out is to solve its challenges...
- Year: 1985
- Original platform: Amstrad CPC
- Game version: V2
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
A visually dramatic adventure based on the award-winning book by Monty Python star Terry Jones. Travel as Erik the Viking, in search of the evil Dogfighters who have kidnapped your family. Explore authentic Viking settlements and seek help from Wizards, Dragons and Giants in strange lands.
- Year: 1985
- Original platform: Amstrad CPC
- Game version: V2
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
Knight Orc is Level 9's most innovative and fun-packed adventure to date. Set in three parts, it casts you as an oppressed orc in a magical world where all is not as it first seems. For generations humans have been persecuting orcs, and now it's time to get your own back. Knight Orc is a challenging game which is truly interactive. Each character leads its own life in the game, and their actions can affect you and the outcome of the adventure. Communication with other characters, learning spells and solving puzzles are all a vital part of the game if you are to escape the mystical world and take revenge on humankind.
- Year: 1987
- Original platform: PC (game files), Amiga (picture files)
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Digitised bitmap
When Ingrid the Sloane Gnome is banished to the wilderness by her exasperated family, the monsters don't know what's hit them! Gnome Ranger is a magical three-part adventure from Level 9.
- Year: 1987
- Original platform: PC (game files), Amiga (picture files)
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Digitised bitmap
Jasper Quickbuck, insider-dealing lord of Ridley's Manor, plots to steamroller the gnome-belt for yuppie housing. To the gnomes' horror, accident-prone Ingrid Bottomlow, who just escaped from her "holiday" in the wilderness, seems to be their only hope. When immovable market forces meet the irresistible Ingrid, will there be a U-turn? Or will humour be the only winner?
- Year: 1988
- Original platform: Atari ST
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Hand-drawn bitmap
Travel back to the Age of Chivalry when knights were bold, galloping across the countryside and rescuing damsels in distress. Level 9 recreates the time of wizards and the Knights of the Round Table in their greatest adventure yet. Lancelot is a three-part adventure, spanning the complete saga from the foundation of the Order to its finest hour - the quest for the Holy Grail. Guide Lancelot through his many exploits at Camelot, battle with wayward knights and win the love of Guinevere and Elaine. The challenge which has fascinated treasure hunters through the centuries is now yours - and you'll need all your strength, wits and valour to achieve your goal.
- Year: 1988
- Original platform: Amiga
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Hand-drawn bitmap
It's not easy being a ghost, betrayed to a criminal gang and falsely blamed for your own death when they escape with a hostage. Reincarnated in your old haunts, you have just three nights to clear your name. But with your detective skills and new psychic powers, a spirited revenge is a dead cert. The gangsters haven't the ghost of a chance!
- Year: 1989
- Original platform: Amiga
- Game version: V4
- Graphics type: Hand-drawn bitmap
Level 9 published three multiple choice games; they were not so much adventures as interactive stories in which the player was presented with a series of choices that could affect the progress of the game to a greater or lesser extent. The first such game was The Archers for Mosaic Publishing; the second, also for Mosaic and published in the same year (1985), was an adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, the first instalment in Sue Townsend's hugely popular series. The final game of this type was another Adrian Mole book adaptation, this time based on the similarly popular Growing Pains sequel. This was not published by Mosaic, however, but rather by Virgin.
If they put you in charge of The Archers, how would you change life in Ambridge? Here's your chance to find out. In this four-part multiple choice illustrated text game you are the story editor, taking the plot decisions for Jack Wooley, Eddie Grundy, Elizabeth Archer and Nelson Gabriel. You're in charge, but you'll have to face the consequences of your decisions. They may cause a stir in The Bull - or in Broadcasting House. Watch out for memos from the Controller of Radio 4 and see how you fare in the charts! Based on the BBC soap opera of the same name.
- Year: 1985
- Original platform: Amstrad CPC
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
I learned today that I am to be the subject of a computer game. The object of the game is to make me popular with everyone, which sounds dead brilliant. Apparently they've written an enormous programme containing 200 kilos of text, which Brainbox Henderson says is a lot. Now everyone else can have a go at coping with all the problems that beset me over an entire year of my life. This is a multiple choice illustrated text game for family entertainment and is a change from Level 9's adventure games. Based on the children's book of the same title by Sue Townsend.
- Year: 1985
- Original platform: Amstrad CPC
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
Welcome to the second computer game to feature the contents of my diary - is there no such thing as privacy? Such is the price of fame, I suppose. The aim of the game is to make decisions for me through multiple choice questions. Now I am more mature, life is even more complicated and I have even more decisions to make, so there is a lot of text in there and some very nice illustrations too. Some may think it's a game; I prefer to think of it as a sort of quest for the Meaning of Life - not easy to find in Laurel Close, Leicester! So good luck, being popular as well as an intellectual is not so easy. I should know, I have spent all my life trying! Based on the children's book of the same title by Sue Townsend.
- Year: 1987
- Original platform: Amstrad CPC
- Game version: V3
- Graphics type: Line-drawn
