Please help with Zork Zero?

[MacCentris]

Well before I decided to go on to play Zork 1 after several years, I decided to continue my (more recent) Zork Zero game. Unfortunately I can't get past the Double Fanucci game. Does anybody have any hints? I've followed web advice on what moves might work best. The Jester always seems to get the upper hand! Anybody?

Thanks!!!

[Chris]

If memory serves, that's one point in the game that represents a major failing on Infocom's part, regarding a lot of later software: the bright idea that if they made the packaging materials essential to beating each game, they'd stop losing profits to pirates. People illegally copied the games anyway, of course, so all it did was to make the legitimate players suffer.

This almost ruined the otherwise fantastic Spellbreaker for me. Once I learned that I needed the documentation that had been included in the original game package, I found the docs online and finally passed the silly in-game quiz about wizard names. It was always so intrusive, yanking you right out of the story and ruining the self-contained nature of the on-screen text.

In the case of Zork Zero, I believe that the calendar that came with the game was necessary for beating the jester at Double Fanucci. I had trouble with that part too, which is probably why I'm remembering it.

Okay; I've just searched through the calendar, and I think I found the month that contains the hint. Here's a link to that image, found right here at the Zork Library. Zoom-in on the image, and read the prose about Babe Flathead for the clue:

http://thezorklibrary.com/zork0/zork0-calendar14.jpg

I think you're supposed to just play any card you want during each turn, waiting until the jester makes his fatal move (see the calendar for a hint about what this should be). Then make your "indefensible gambit" triple-play that supposedly can't fail. I'm pretty sure that should do it, and allow you to grab the broom (again, that's only if my memory of the game is intact). I hope I haven't given away too much; at least you can have fun looking for the hint on the calendar!

[MacCentris]

I appreciate your help. I have now successfully passed the Fanucci game and have gotten the broom by waiting for the Trebled Fromps move and my 3 undertrumps, thanks so much for the clue. I don't understand the traditional rules of Fanucci, I am actually wondering if they make any sense at all. Unless one comes up with a move like this, does the game never end? I was looking at my Return To Zork Encyclopedia Frobozzica and the moves are not exactly explained, they just say the names of the moves and how many points they give. I've also seen throughout the web, that the Zork canon says the rules are so complicated not even the best experts know how to play perfectly! So, were the real definite rules ever mentioned? I'm beginning to believe the nerds who came up with the Zork history were over-exaggerating the card game rules to give the story more emphasis.

But, I have to say the Fanucci cards are used in an entirely different manner in Legends of Zork. They're one of the most crucial parts about the game. I love my Fanucci cards I just wonder if anyone actually ever printed Fanucci cards and played with someone.

[Siriusstar]

I appreciate your help. I have now successfully passed the Fanucci game and have gotten the broom by waiting for the Trebled Fromps move and my 3 undertrumps, thanks so much for the clue. I don't understand the traditional rules of Fanucci, I am actually wondering if they make any sense at all. Unless one comes up with a move like this, does the game never end? I was looking at my Return To Zork Encyclopedia Frobozzica and the moves are not exactly explained, they just say the names of the moves and how many points they give. I've also seen throughout the web, that the Zork canon says the rules are so complicated not even the best experts know how to play perfectly! So, were the real definite rules ever mentioned? I'm beginning to believe the nerds who came up with the Zork history were over-exaggerating the card game rules to give the story more emphasis.

But, I have to say the Fanucci cards are used in an entirely different manner in Legends of Zork. They're one of the most crucial parts about the game. I love my Fanucci cards I just wonder if anyone actually ever printed Fanucci cards and played with someone.

I was able to play and win the Fanucci game a couple of times without the Trebled Fromps a long time ago. I did it on purpose just to see if it was possible... back when I had way too much time on my hands. I, of course, do not remember how I did it now, but if you play long enough and take notes, patterns do start to emerge and the rules are mostly consistent. It would be possible to play Double Fannuci as presented in Zork Zero.

Fanucci is complicated by practically every town, season, casino, etc, having its own set of obscure rules! There was never a definitive playing guide for it or rulebook in any of the game material nor anywhere else that I know of.