A Mind Forever Voyaging

A Mind Forever Voyaging is a 1985 Infocom text adventure written by Steve Meretzky. It’s one of the most ambitious and serious works of interactive fiction ever made, and its political themes have been described as remarkably prescient.

In 2031, you’re PRISM, an artificial intelligence. You must test Senator Richard Ryder’s “Plan for Renewed National Purpose” by simulating the future of the town of Rockvil, South Dakota.

Gameplay

A Mind Forever Voyaging is less about puzzles than exploration and observation.

• Simulations: Visit Rockvil in simulated years, from 2041 to 2081.
• Recording: Record events as evidence of the plan’s effects.
• Exploration: Walk around Rockvil and watch it change.
• Story: A powerful, political story.
• Parser: A vocabulary of over 1,800 words.

Its writing is excellent, and watching Rockvil decline over the decades is haunting. It has few traditional puzzles, which some players found disappointing.

Verdict

A Mind Forever Voyaging is a landmark of interactive fiction. Its puzzles are few, but its story and themes are unforgettable. It sold about 35,000 copies.