There have been many attempts to recreate Douglas Adams' classic "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in every form of media- tv series, movies, radio shows- but none have been as successful as the computer adventure game of the same name from 1984. This game was a text adventure of the kind that you probably know from the Zork series, where you are given a description of a scene and had to type out what you wanted to do. It led to a lot of "I don't understand that" messages as you tried to figure out just how to communicate with the game, but Hitchhiker's Guide managed to keep the book's humor intact.
To celebrate the game's 30th Anniversary BBC Radio 4 has updated their free online version of the game, which gives you all sorts of new interface options. You've got graphics, an inventory, a save system, and even achievments.
You'll need all the help you can get. There are no grues in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but it's an absolutely brutal game. Right from the start if you can't figure out how to get out of bed and kick your hangover you're going to get bulldozed by the company trying to knock down your house. As the site itself says: "A word of warning: The game will kill you frequently. It's a bit mean like that."
But it's a great way to experience the story, death by hilarious death. There's no excuse not to play it! Check it out right here on BBC Radio 4's site and enjoy.
