Shangri-La

Set  in 1947, this adventure inspired by the forgotten classic (1937) movie "Lost Horizon", which in turn was inspired by the James Hilton novel of the same title, ( which invented the concept of Xangri-La ( or Shangri-La ) ), puts you in the role of an english diplomat/adventurer who crash lands somewhere in the Himalaias and finds the lost green valley of Shangri-La, where time doesn´t flow in the same way as it does in the outside world. Will you be able to return home without finding yourself out of time ? And what secrets lie in that green valley ? Find out by playing this unique one part ZX Spectrum adventure game in old-school style, but written, illustrated and "programmed" in 2023 by Luis Peres from icreateworlds.net.
Have fun!

More to come. ;)

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TIPS FOR PLAYING THE GAME

As a classic ZX Spectrum text-based adventure, Shangri-La  uses a text parser to interpret your commands.  While this adds depth and complexity to the gameplay, it can occasionally lead to frustrating moments when the parser doesn’t fully recognize your input. To help you navigate this epic adventure smoothly, here are some essential tips:

1. Use Full or Longer Words in Commands The game’s parser relies on comparing your input to a large vocabulary of verbs and nouns. To minimize confusion, try to type at least 3 to 6 letters for each word in your command, especially for longer words. For instance:

    * Instead of "UNLO DOO," type "UNLOCK DOOR".

    * Instead of "GET TO," type "GET TOKEN". Typing out full words or using more characters reduces the chance of the parser confusing similar terms and responding with “You can’t”, when in reality you could.

2. Be Patient with the Parser Even if you have the right idea, the parser might not always interpret partial inputs correctly. If you receive a “You can’t do that” response, it’s often worth rephrasing your command or typing it more fully to ensure accuracy. For example:

    * If “OPEN BOX” doesn’t work, ( and you have a Key in your inventory ), try “UNLOCK BOX”  first.

3. Experiment with Synonyms The text parser recognizes many commands, but it may favor certain terms over others. If a specific action doesn’t seem to work, try synonyms. For example:

    * Instead of “PUSH BUTTON,” you might try “PRESS BUTTON”.

4. Save Progress Regularly Text adventures often involve trial and error. Save your game frequently, especially before trying risky actions or exploring new areas. This way, you can backtrack if needed without losing too much progress. Shangri-La, does not have many death-trap moments, as I always thought that is really frustrating for the player, but you may find a couple in key points of the story, so you should save your progress anyway; every two or three puzzles you solve, at least.

5. Pay Close Attention to Clues The game’s descriptions often hint at what actions are possible or necessary. Read all text carefully to pick up on key details and possible verbs or nouns to use in commands.  Shangri-La is a more complex game than you usually find for the ZX Spectrum, because in this case, there are moments where characters move from one place to the other, some can follow and track you down, others join you and travel with you and so on. So, if you are traveling with a friend,  if you are stuck in a puzzle try, "TALK TO.. *that character*” as characters sometimes give out clues and perform important actions when you speak to them in key moments of the adventure.

6. In many locations there are several hidden objects that are important. Some may be inside other objects, so make sure you examine what you find. Many times things you can collect are just that, but don´t forget to examine the environments around you. Also, some actions you do on one location,  open puzzles on another one you've already visited, or will visit. Each puzzle is not locked to each room and many puzzles affect other puzzles which are not located where you currently are.

7. Have a Notebook to note down useful commands, discovered locations, or puzzle solutions as you play. This will save time and help you track your progress across the sprawling adventure. A list with all the command verbs is provided when you download the game, along with high res versions of the maps, but nevertheless, there´s many ways to draw the maps from each chapter, and you might enjoy illustrating your own too, which I recommend because the maps I did, can be improved if you add some more details to them by making them more personal.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be better prepared to tackle the puzzles, dangers, and mysteries of Shangri-La. Remember, the key to success lies in patience, creativity, and careful input. Good luck, adventurer—the ancient world awaits! ---

A non-linear adventure for the ZX Spectrum

One of the most unique aspects of Shangri-La is its non-linear gameplay structure. While the main narrative follows a linear progression—much like reading through the chapters of a book—the way you explore the world, solve puzzles, and reach key story points is entirely up to you.  This open-ended approach creates a sense of freedom rarely seen in classic ZX Spectrum adventures. Much less in adventure games created using GAC-Graphich Adventure Creator, as reviewers back in the day even claimed this couldn´t be done. But it can. All my GAC adventure games for the Spectrum have that characteristic. Open-World Exploration

In Shangri-La, most of the time, you won’t be confined to a single path. Each game map is designed with multiple routes to progress, with 2 to ( sometimes up to ) 5 different ways to navigate through many of the story’s locations. This means that your journey can vary slightly each time you play, offering  a new possible route with every replay.  Many times, you don´t need to solve a specific puzzle in front of you to be able to progress or do something else. If you find more than one puzzle to solve in the map, it does not matter in what order you solve them. The only exceptions for this is when the story-narrative depends on you solving a specific key-narrative mystery to progress.

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Expansive Worlds

For this game, the size of the game map varies as the adventure unfolds:

* Larger, Open Map: The world of Seaview features an expansive map with over 60 rooms, allowing for a broad exploration experience and plenty of opportunities to solve puzzles in your own order.

* Tighter, Focused Maps: In each part of the game, sometimes the map becomes smaller with a couple of restrictions that will only open when you reach the next chapter, in order to emphasize a more detailed and controlled narrative. Even so, these smaller sections retain non-linear elements, ensuring no part of the game feels overly restrictive.

The open-world feel of Shangri-La gives the game a nice replay value. With multiple paths to reach the same narrative points, no two playthroughs need to be, or feel, exactly the same. Whether you’re uncovering a hidden route, solving puzzles in a new order, or discovering alternate ways to access key locations, every session can bring a fresh perspective on the story. By blending expansive maps, multi-path exploration, and a narrative that evolves organically with player choices, my goal with Shangri-La was to push the boundaries of what a ZX Spectrum adventure can offer, when designed with GAC. Prepare to lose yourself in a richly designed world, where every decision you make shapes your journey through the mysteries of Shangri-La.

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This game was designed, programmed and illustrated by Luis Peres in 2023 and it was created using the GRAPHIC ADVENTURE CREATOR - GAC , for the ZX Spectrum.

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 Visit www.icreateworlds.net for more illustration work.