Ballyhoo (Infocom, 1985)

A different type of Infocom mystery, Ballyhoo, takes place entirely at a circus. Complete with tight-rope walking, wild animals, clowns, magicians, and other circus-like elements, Ballyhoo is very flavorful, and the usual Infocom descriptiveness shows up well in this game, which really brings a circus to life. The most unfortunate part of the game is the plot, which is quite confusing and hard to follow, and ends with a silly and unnecessary plot twist that is more of a letdown than an exciting ending, though, I suppose, fitting for the type of mystery story this game tells. All in all, an interesting game, but certainly not one of Infocom's more intense or defined.

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