1990

Loom

FROM: LucasArts

BEHIND THE MUSIC: Adventure games (mouse-driven scavenger hunts interwoven with quirky dialog and poorly-animated cut-scenes) were once huge on home computers, but largely confined to formulaic fantasy, sci-fi and tongue-in-cheek outings. At least, until genre kingpin LucasArts told the haunting tale of Bobbin Threadbare, a magical Weaver who uses combinations of notes to string together tunes that act as puzzle-solving spells. Rather than simply chat or collect items, a mystic staff was employed to craft these otherworldly ditties, which could also be played in reverse to create opposing effects (bleaching vs. dyeing clothes) and, as a result, still more haunting jingles.

WHY IT ROCKS: The first of its ilk to explore melody as a control method, as well as a best-seller and instant classic, a pair of planned sequels never materialized due to team members' preoccupation with other projects.

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