Fool's Errand, The Download (1989 Puzzle Game)

Containing 81 puzzles that possess an enchantment on the land of Tarot, The Fool's Errand puts you in the role of The Fool as you attempt to solve each puzzle in order to save the kingdom. Puzzles are located on a 9x9 matrix called the Sun's Map, which features 80 spaces representing a different puzzle. Puzzles include filling in word blanks, arranging pieces of a picture, word finds, crosswords, mazes, and a few brainteasers thrown in for good measure. Some of the word puzzles are quite difficult, while others are more logic based. Because it is possible to become stuck on certain puzzles, you're given the option of returning to it later and tackling an unsolved one. When a puzzle is solved, a picture is revealed on the space, and new spaces can be accessed on the map. When all spaces have been filled in, the pictures must be arranged so the trail shown on each is connected, leading to the game's final puzzle.

There are also 14 treasures located on the Sun's Map that must be named, thus extending the puzzle solving gameplay. The Fool's Errand can be a frustrating at times, but is ultimately rewarding. Cliff Johnson, a one-time teaching assistant for film animation, created the game in hopes that gamers would exercise their minds by thinking out the hard puzzles.

One of the classic puzzle games. Tells the story of the Fool, who wanders throughout the land solving puzzles to break the enchantments, discover the land's treasures, and undo evil. Features word searches, cryptograms, jigsaw puzzles, anagrams, a Tarot-based card game, and lots of other bizarre puzzles. Also includes an animated intro, and extended finale animation as separate executables (but you have to win before it'll let you run the finale)

The Fool's Errand hit the gaming scene in 1989 and quickly came to be considered one of the most innovative games of its kind. This unique little puzzler is based on the esoteric mysteries surrounding the Tarot, and as such, you play the part of the Fool as he wanders his way through the land. There are four kingdoms you must explore, and predictably enough, they are the Kingdom of the Wands, the Kingdom of the Cups, the Kingdom of the Swords, and the Kingdom of the Pentacles.

Each of the four Kingdoms has lost its most precious treasures, and being the greedy Fool you are, you hope to find them and keep them for yourself. Given a mystical map by the Sun, you commence your quest for fame and fortune.

However, things are never as simple as they should be, and of course your map is corrupted by a mystical enchantment. It only tells you where you've been, and is furthermore completely jumbled up. Welcome to the first of the puzzles presented by this mind-bending game.

In order to advance, you must solve all manner of puzzles. Word scrambles, picture scrambles, logic, math, you name it, Fool's Errand has probably got it. The order in which you solve them is entirely up to you, and more puzzles become available the more you solve. Each puzzle is accompanied by a clever little blurb about the Fool's encounters with the various denizens of the realm.

In addition, each puzzle you complete will reveal a location on your map, and eventually, to beat the game, you must put all the pieces together in proper order in order to reveal its secrets.

All in all, this little game is highly addictive. You will probably weep with frustration more than a few times as you try to figure out the various solutions, some of which are maddeningly difficult. The game is on par with Solitaire and Minesweeper as a quick and easy time-killer, but it has the added benefit of a clever (though at times boggling) story to go along with it, as well as being quite a bit more mentally challenging.

If you like pushing your mind to the limit, and enjoy a good fantasy plot, this game is definitely for you.

How to run this game on modern Windows PC?

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