The Trap Door (game)

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The Trap Door

Developer(s)	Don Priestley
Publisher(s)	Piranha Games
Release date(s)	1986
Genre(s)	Arcade adventure
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	N/A
Platform(s)	ZX Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC
Media	Cassette
Input	Keyboard, Joystick

The Trap Door is a computer game published for several 8-bit formats in 1986 by Piranha Games. It was written by Don Priestley and based on the British children's television show of the same name.

The player takes control of Berk, who must perform tasks for "him upstairs" a never-seen entity who lives in the upper floors of the castle where Berk works. In order to help him complete his task, Berk must make use of the many objects lying around his part of the castle as well as the creatures that emerge from the trap door. Berk is assisted by Boni, a talking skull, who provides hints when picked up. He is also somewhat hindered by Drutt, a spider who loves eating worms.

Gameplay is largely based around puzzle-solving and the use and manipulation of the many objects littered around Berk's chambers. Berk will also need help from some of the strange creatures that lurk in the caverns under the trap door and these creatures can often be as much a hindrance as a help (as well as downright dangerous). Once Berk has finished taking advantage of a creature's "assistance" he also has to find a way of making sure it goes back down the trap door.

The game has two different skill levels: "Learner Berk" and "Super Berk".

It was followed by a sequel in 1987 called Through The Trap Door, also written by Priestley and published by Piranha.

There is, additionally, an unofficial fan made game, made by Steven Watson at spacetimegames.co.uk The Trapdoor - Berk's Final Days[1].

[edit] Comparison to television show

In the television show, Drutt is grey and skuttles around like a typical spider. In the computer game of The Trap Door, Drutt is yellow and bounces everywhere.