Parsely games are an ingenious mash-up of computer text adventures, RPGs, and party games. One player acts as the “parser” - the program running the text adventure. He reads descriptions to the others, and responds to their commands. The other player or players can take turns giving the parser commands, like GET TORCH, and attempt to complete the goal of the adventure (and, optionally, collect as many victory points as possible.)

These games are a great way to get people involved in roleplaying, even if they’ve never played a regular RPG before. The adventures are much shorter than traditional text adventure games, but just about the right length for an hour or more of play. There is even a SAVE function, to prevent your character from having to start over from the beginning!

In Return to Action Castle, you return to Action Castle! There’s action! And a castle! BONUS: Includes an extra mini-adventure, Flaming Goat!

(You will probably want to also get the first of the Parsely series, Action Castle, for the rules and tips on how to run these analogue text adventures.)

Action Castle II is the sequel to the original Action Castle game. Parsely games are an homage to the text adventure games of yore. One player portrays the computer parser, the other players (1-100 of them!) input commands to control the in-game character on his quest.

Years have passed since the original Action Castle, and a new hero stars in this adventure - a humble cobbler from the village near Action Castle...

Not only has the Action Castle setting changed with time, the presentation and style of the product have developed as well. The 'Parsely engine' rules are not included in this game (experience with the original Action Castle is required). That leaves more room for a much more elaborate adventure. Action Castle II not only has more locations than its predecessor, each location is fleshed out by having multiple responses provided for the most likely player commands. The responses are a bit more sarcastic in style as well; they give the impression that, from the 'computer's' point of view, the kid gloves are now off. Action Castle II will likely end with a few senseless deaths for most groups, before the path to victory is discovered.

As a bonus, a Parsely mini-game is included with Action Castle II. Consisting of only two locations, 'Flaming Goat' is a rather surreal encounter/puzzle, ideal for introducing the techniques of Parsely play to players who haven't experienced the game before.