DODGE CITY
Phoenix Software, 1983
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Hints by Exemptus - May 2020
Overview and general hints:
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Passing 12 levels of the arcade game on side 1 is needed for the password to the
adventure. In addition, every two levels we are given a clue which is relevant
to the adventure. The full list of clues is:
Level 1: THERE'S A STAR ON THE PLANET
Level 3: THIRD TIME AIN'T SO LUCKY
Level 5: IT'S SAFE TO REVERSE 23267
Level 7: CHEQUE EVERYWHERE FOR CLUES
Level 9: DON'T RELY ON DIVINE HELP
Level 11: THE LOADING CODE IS: -FORTY 2
By the way, the password is "FORTY 2", without quotes and without the dash. The
clues, although obscure, are perfectly legit and even helpful. Pity the game
itself is a bit of a mess.
Due to the random nature of the game, no deterministic walkthrough can be given.
Besides, the dispatch table for the game (located at $6292) which has all
possible outcomes for actions is buggy and several options do not have the
logical outcome. This makes for a very frustrating game where we are seemingly
killed at random (which is deliberate) and by triggering events which advance
the plot (which probably may not be). The game can be altered to improve the odds,
but that is another story and will have to be told another time.
You are charged with the murder of Dodge City's sheriff's deputy and need to
prove your innocence, lest you are found guilty and hanged (the law of the West
does not dabble in minutiae like burden of proof).
For this to work, you need to escape jail, find the real guilty party/ies and
gather the evidence that will prove your innocence. The inventory is fixed at
four objects and none of the ones you start with are needed at all; they are
just placeholders. They need to be replaced by four other objects, which are
rather obvious once the plot is clear in our head.
Specific hints:
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Q: Do I make a break for it at the start?
A: Does not make a difference. You might be killed either way, and ending in
jail is necessary.
Q: My trial has been put off. Am I on the right track?
A: Actually, no, you aren't. You are not on the wrong track either - this makes
no difference, you have just avoided death.
Q: Is Doc Holliday trustworthy?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the significance of the note under the sheriff's desk?
A: Note the planet name (clue Level 1). This is half of a note so words could
have been broken in half...
Q: Is it worth checking for clues?
A: Always (clue Level 7 - the typo suggests the Bank is a good place to do so).
Q: Does Kitty have a conflict of interests?
A: No. Actually she gives you some useful narrative.
Q: What places are useful to search?
A: The livery stable, bank, telegraph office, sheriff's house and hardware
store. You can safely ignore the others, although the Saloon can be useful
for part of the story. Just don't talk to the barman.
Q: Can Butch Cassidy's story be believed?
A: He is an outlaw and a gambler, but that does not mean he lies all the time.
Q: What is the combination to the safe?
A: Clue Level 5.
Q: I get what has happened here. What do I need to prove my innocence?
A: The murder weapon, a sales receipt, a train ticket and a receipt for a copy
cable.
Q: How can I safely search the sheriff's house?
A: It is random. Just try again and again (the game is short anyway) until you
can make it out all right.
Q: Is there any way to avoid the shootings in the street?
A: You can be killed at random, but you will be definitely killed if you repeat
certain actions more than once (clue Level 3)
Q: Is there a way to enter the church?
A: Clue Level 9.
Q: How do I win?
A: Call for help when you have the evidence.
