You can play Supernova (the ZX Spectrum game I wrote in 1985, when I was fifteen) here:

  http://anthonybailey.net/supernova


I have modelled the solution to my game Supernova in Ruby as a graph of dependent goals.

My *plan* is to make an interactive solution that you can search / expand, allowing you to get a single next hint on what you can do next, or whether you are ready to use a particular object or solve a problem in a location, and/or what to do if so. So you get use it when you get stuck without anything else being spoiled. To do this on the web means I'll either have to embed the solution model in a Rails app, or (more fitting with my current learning goals) convert it to a Javascript application.

For now, I used the model to produce a solution with the minimal amount of back and forth, making best use of inventory space and the odd spare locker.

Here is a plain text walkthrough of that solution.



SPOILERS!



SPOILERS!



SPOILERS!



[1 - Administration, Main Entrance] is where you start.
100c petty cash is already carried when you start the game.
Your camera is carried at the start.
Your comb is carried at the start.
Your suitcase is carried at the start.
Your passport is carried at the start.
100c is gotten by selling your passport to an alien who says "They won't let me in", which is around the center of [1 - Administration, Main Entrance].
The robot who says "Your bill is 2000 credits" is in [1 - Administration, Accounts], which is north from the west end of [1 - Administration, Main Entrance].
Doorkey 3-B is put into a nearby locker when you talk to the receptionist robot, which is in the northmost part of [1 - Administration, Reception], which is north from [1 - Administration, Accounts].
Leaving luggage is done by dropping your suitcase in the indicated locker within [1 - Administration, Luggage Room], which is south from west end of [1 - Administration, A Security Area], which is north from [1 - Administration, Reception].
The trunks are in the west locker of [1 - Administration, Luggage Room].
Locked door to [Guest Room 3-B] is north of the east end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B], which is up from the northmost part of [1 - Administration, Reception].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 3-B] is unlocked with doorkey 3-B.
[3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant] is north from the east end of [3 - Consumer Goods, Shopping Centre], which is north from [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers], which is up from [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
The flour is in the third locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant].
The takeaway is in the fourth locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant].
The computer that says "(c) 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd, solve the equation √ + - * /" is in [4 - Entertainment, Computer Room], which is south from the east end of [4 - Entertainment, Main Lounge], which is up from [3 - Consumer Goods, Shopping Centre].
"-" (minus) is matched by dropping the takeaway into the third of the five computer lockers, which is to the left of the computer that says "(c) 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd, solve the equation √ + - * /".
Locked door to [The Cinema] is south from the west end of [4 - Entertainment, Computer Room].
[4 - Entertainment, The Cinema] is unlocked with your camera.
Locked door to [Swimming Room] is north of the centre of the northmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall], which is up from around the center of [4 - Entertainment, Main Lounge].
Chlorine is in the westmost locker of [5 - Sport, Swimming Room], which is unlocked with the trunks.
Locked door to [Teeth Specialist] is in the center of [6 - Medecine, Hospital Wards (south)], which is south from [6 - Medecine, Reception], which is up from the second southmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
The braces are in the locker of [6 - Medecine, Teeth Specialist], which is unlocked with your comb.
The (green-fingered) gloves are in the locker of [6 - Medecine, Doctor's Surgery], which is north from east end of [6 - Medecine, Hospital Wards (south)].
Locked door to [The Gardens] is north from [7 - Upper Dome, Main Observatory], which is up from [6 - Medecine, Reception].
[7 - Upper Dome, The Gardens] is unlocked with the flour.
The shovel is in the westmost locker of the south part of [7 - Upper Dome, The Gardens].
The roots are in the eastmost locker of the south part of [7 - Upper Dome, The Gardens].
The flower bed is in the locker of the middle part of [7 - Upper Dome, The Gardens].
Locked door to [The Greenhouse] is north from the center of the northmost part of [7 - Upper Dome, The Gardens].
[7 - Upper Dome, The Greenhouse] is unlocked with the (green-fingered) gloves.
The ladder is in the first locker of [7 - Upper Dome, The Greenhouse].
The worms are in the second locker of [7 - Upper Dome, The Greenhouse].
Locked door to [Snake House] is south from the east end of [7 - Upper Dome, Supernova Zoo], which is south from [7 - Upper Dome, Main Observatory].
The adder is in the locker of [7 - Upper Dome, Snake House], which is unlocked with the ladder.
Doorkey 1-A is in a locker at the east end of [7 - Upper Dome, Main Observatory].
Return to the computer that says "(c) 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd, solve the equation √ + - * /" which is in [4 - Entertainment, Computer Room].
"√" (square root) is matched by dropping the roots into the first of the five computer lockers.
"+" (plus) is matched by dropping the adder into the second of the five computer lockers.
Return to [4 - Entertainment, The Cinema] which is unlocked with your camera.
The friday 13th video is in the first locker of the southmost part of [4 - Entertainment, The Cinema].
The film is in the second locker of southmost room of [4 - Entertainment, The Cinema].
The negative is created by using the the developer machine on the the film, which is in [4 - Entertainment, Developing Room], which is south from the west end of [4 - Entertainment, Main Lounge].
Locked door to ['FishyDays' Cafe] is north of the west end of [3 - Consumer Goods, Shopping Centre].
[3 - Consumer Goods, 'FishyDays' Cafe] is unlocked with the friday 13th video.
The chips are in the centre locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, 'FishyDays' Cafe].
Locked door to [Subzero Room] is north of the center of [3 - Consumer Goods, 'FishyDays' Cafe].
The ice is in a locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, Subzero Room], which is unlocked with the negative.
Locked door to [The Casino] is south from of the east of [4 - Entertainment, Computer Room].
The fruit machine is in [4 - Entertainment, The Casino], which is unlocked with the chips.
Spades are fixed by dropping the shovel in the fourth of the four fruit machine lockers, which is to the left of the fruit machine.
The blank notes are in the locker of [4 - Entertainment, Music Room], which is north from [4 - Entertainment, Main Lounge].
Locked door to [The Dormitory] is north of the east end of [4 - Entertainment, Music Room].
The quilt is in the locker of [4 - Entertainment, The Dormitory], which is unlocked with the flower bed.
Locked door to [Book Room] is north from the west end of [4 - Entertainment, Music Room].
The novel is in the locker of [4 - Entertainment, Book Room], which is unlocked with the worms.
The sodium is bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Chemist], which is south from [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers].
The chemical reactor is in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Chemist] and tries to combine the items in its lockers.
The salt is made using the chemical reactor to combine the sodium and chlorine.
Refund for the sodium is available - return it to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Chemist] for 50c after using it for the salt.
Locked door to [A Seasons Store] is north of the center of [3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant].
The pepper is in the locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, A Seasons Store], which is unlocked with the salt.
The ink is bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Stationers], which is south from the west end of [3 - Consumer Goods, Shopping Centre].
Return to [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B] which is up from the northmost part of [1 - Administration, Reception].
The quilt is needed later - leave it in a locker, which is near the center of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
Locked door to [News Department] is north from the west end of [1 - Administration, Main Entrance].
The bulletin is in the locker of the south part of [1 - Administration, News Department], which is unlocked with the novel.
The printer is in [1 - Administration, Printing Presses] and operates on the items in its lockers, which is north from [1 - Administration, News Department].
Printing 100c is done by running the printer with the blank notes and the ink.
Doorkey 1-C is in the locker at the west of the northmost room of [1 - Administration, A Security Area].
Locked door to [Guest Room 1-C] is north of the west end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor C], which is south twice from either end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 1-C] is unlocked with doorkey 1-C.
Doorkey 3-A is in a locker at the west of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor C].
Locked door to [Guest Room 1-A] is north of the west end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor A], which is north twice from either end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 1-A] is unlocked with doorkey 1-A.
100c is gotten by selling the pepper to an alien who says "Gimme a doctor's drink", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 1-A].
Locked door to [Guest Room 3-A] is north of the east end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor A].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 3-A] is unlocked with doorkey 3-A.
100c is gotten by selling the braces to an alien who says "Got some suspenders?", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 3-A].
The jewel is bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers].
Return to [3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant] which is north from the east end of [3 - Consumer Goods, Shopping Centre].
The glasses are in the first locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant].
The tea is in the second locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, The Restaurant].
Refund for the ink is available - return it to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Stationers] for 50c after using it for printing 100c.
The valentine is bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Card Shop], which is south from [3 - Consumer Goods, The Stationers].
Return to [3 - Consumer Goods, 'FishyDays' Cafe] which is unlocked with the friday 13th video.
The batter is in the eastmost locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, 'FishyDays' Cafe].
The bad herring is in the westmost locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, 'FishyDays' Cafe].
Return to the fruit machine which is in [4 - Entertainment, The Casino].
Hearts are fixed by dropping the valentine in the first of the four fruit machine lockers.
Diamonds are fixed by dropping the jewel in the third of the four fruit machine lockers.
Locked door to [Shooting Range] is south from the west end of the northmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
The sights are in the locker of [5 - Sport, Shooting Range], which is unlocked with the bulletin.
Locked door to [Eye Specialist] is north from the west end of [6 - Medecine, Hospital Wards (north)], which is north from [6 - Medecine, Reception].
Locked door to [Optician] is north from [6 - Medecine, Eye Specialist], which is unlocked with the sights.
The frame is in the locker of [6 - Medecine, Optician], which is unlocked with the glasses.
Doorkey 2-B is in the westmost locker of [6 - Medecine, Hospital Wards (north)].
Doorkey 3-C is in the westmost locker in the northmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
Locked door to [Snooker Hall] is north from around the center of the northmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
The spider is in the locker of [5 - Sport, Snooker Hall], which is unlocked with the frame.
Doorkey 2-A is in the locker of the second southmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
Locked door to [The Golf Range] is north from the west end of the southmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
The 9-iron is in the locker of [5 - Sport, The Golf Range], which is unlocked with the tea.
Locked door to [Skating] is south from the center of the southmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
The skis are in the westmost locker of [5 - Sport, Skating], which is unlocked with the ice.
Locked door to [The Boxing Room] is south from the east end of the southmost part of [5 - Sport, The Great Hall].
The weight is in the locker of [5 - Sport, The Boxing Room], which is unlocked with the batter.
Locked door to [Ear Specialist] is north from the west end of [6 - Medecine, Hospital Wards (south)].
The megaphone is in the locker of [6 - Medecine, Ear Specialist], which is unlocked with the bad herring.
Locked door to [Arachnid House] is south from the west end of [7 - Upper Dome, Supernova Zoo].
The scorpion is in the locker of [7 - Upper Dome, Arachnid House], which is unlocked with the spider.
Locked door to [Waiting Room] is north from the center of [6 - Medecine, Hospital Wards (north)].
The stethoscope is in the locker of the north part of [6 - Medecine, Waiting Room], which is unlocked with the weight.
Return to the fruit machine which is in [4 - Entertainment, The Casino].
Clubs are fixed by dropping the 9-iron in the second of the four fruit machine lockers.
Fixing the fruit machine to win 200c is done by fixing the four parts of the jackpot combination and then playing the fruit machine repeatedly until it is empty of cash, which is hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades.
Doorkey 1-B is in the westmost locker of [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers].
Locked door to [Guest Room 2-B] is north of the center of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 2-B] is unlocked with doorkey 2-B.
Retrieve the quilt, which is where we left it, in a locker, which is near the center of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
100c is gotten by selling the quilt to an alien who says "Adventures can be this", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 2-B].
The wrong (misdelivered) case is delivered to the westmost locker of [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 3-B] after leaving luggage.
Locked door to [Guest Room 2-A] is north of the center of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor A].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 2-A] is unlocked with doorkey 2-A.
100c is gotten by selling the wrong (misdelivered) case to an alien who says "I've lost my luggage", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 2-A].
Locked door to [Guest Room 1-B] is north of the west end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 1-B] is unlocked with doorkey 1-B.
100c is gotten by selling the megaphone to an alien who says "Pardon?", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 1-B].
Return to [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor C] which is south twice from either end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor B].
100c is gotten by selling the skis to an alien who says "I'd like some yoghurt", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 1-C].
Locked door to [Guest Room 3-C] is north of the east end of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor C].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 3-C] is unlocked with doorkey 3-C.
100c is gotten by selling doorkey 3-C to an alien who says "I lost my doorkey", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 3-C].
The gold shares are bought for 50c from the share trading robot, which is in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Investors], which is south from [3 - Consumer Goods, The Chemist].
The gold brooch is bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers].
100c from insider trading is gotten by buying the gold shares for 50c, encouraging the market by buying the gold brooch, then returning to the share trading robot and selling back the gold shares for 150c.
Refund for the gold brooch is available - return it to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers] for 50c after using it for 100c from insider trading.
The dividers are bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Stationers].
The marked cards are bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Card Shop].
The Times newspaper is bought for (refundable) 50c from a tradesman robot in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Newsagent], which is south from [3 - Consumer Goods, The Card Shop].
100c from cheating at poker is won by playing the poker robot whilst holding the marked cards, which is in [4 - Entertainment, The Casino].
Retrieve the valentine, which is where we left it, in the four fruit machine lockers.
Retrieve the jewel, which is where we left it, in the four fruit machine lockers.
Return to the computer that says "(c) 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd, solve the equation √ + - * /" which is in [4 - Entertainment, Computer Room].
"*" (multiply) is matched by dropping the Times newspaper into the fourth of the five computer lockers.
"/" (divide) is matched by dropping the dividers into the fifth of the five computer lockers.
The slomo is created in the westmost locker by solving the equation on the computer that says "(c) 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd, solve the equation √ + - * /", which is solved by matching each of its five parts: "√" (square root), "+" (plus), "-" (minus), "*" (multiply) and "/" (divide).
Retrieve the Times newspaper, which is where we left it, in the five computer lockers.
Retrieve the dividers, which are where we left it, in the five computer lockers.
The high score is achieved by playing the "It's too fast!" game whilst holding the slomo, which is the first arcade machine in [4 - Entertainment, The Arcade Room], which is north from the west end of [3 - Consumer Goods, Shopping Centre].
The "Colour-zapper" game is the second arcade machine in [4 - Entertainment, The Arcade Room], you can play it just for fun.
The "Repetition" game is the third arcade machine in [4 - Entertainment, The Arcade Room], you can play it just for fun.
Doorkey 2-C is in the locker around the center of [4 - Entertainment, Main Lounge].
Refund for the dividers are available - return them to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Stationers] for 50c after using them for the slomo.
Refund for the valentine is available - return it to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Card Shop] for 50c after using it for the slomo.
Refund for the marked cards are available - return them to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Card Shop] for 50c after using them for 100c from cheating at poker.
Refund for the Times newspaper is available - return it to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Newsagent] for 50c after using it for the slomo.
Refund for the jewel is available - return it to the tradesman in [3 - Consumer Goods, The Jewellers] for 50c after using it for the slomo.
Locked door to [Guest Room 2-C] is north of the center of [2 - Guest Rooms, Corridor C].
[2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 2-C] is unlocked with doorkey 2-C.
100c is gotten by selling the scorpion to an alien who says "My birthday is 10th November", which is in [2 - Guest Rooms, Guest Room 2-C].
The safe is at the west end of [1 - Administration, The Safe Room], which is north from the west end of [1 - Administration, A Security Area].
Cracking the safe for 100c is gotten by opening the safe using the stethoscope.
Clue "Security is stronger and the code is changed - its a game!" is given after cracking the safe for 100c.
The first 100c safe combination is the high score, answering clue "Security is stronger and the code is changed - its a game!".
Clue "8 letters, starts the volume" next to "C" above "TTTTTTTTTT" is given after solving the first 100c safe combination.
The second 100c safe combination is "CONTENTS" (C on ten Ts), answering clue "8 letters, starts the volume" next to "C" above "TTTTTTTTTT".
Clue "Initially, 4385 sides is terminal" is given after solving the second 100c safe combination.
The third 100c safe combination is "STOP" (initials of square, triangle, octagon and pentagon), answering clue "Initially, 4385 sides is terminal".
Clue "B good and a saint. Muddled? Try it out" is given after solving the third 100c safe combination.
The last 100c safe combination is "TEST" (anagram of "ET" and "St"), answering the (sorry, very rubbish) clue "B good and a saint. Muddled? Try it out".
Stealing 500c from the safe is done in five steps: cracking the safe for 100c, then solving the first 100c safe combination, the second 100c safe combination, the third 100c safe combination, and the last 100c safe combination.
Return to the robot who says "Your bill is 2000 credits" which is in [1 - Administration, Accounts].
The way to complete Supernova is to pay your bill, by giving 2000c to the robot who says "Your bill is 2000 credits", which is made up of 100c petty cash, 900c from selling items (to alien tourists), 100c from insider trading, 100c from cheating at poker, printing 100c, fixing the fruit machine to win 200c, stealing 500c from the safe; and remember to get refunds on bought items;
  900c from selling items (to alien tourists) is broken into nine trades of 100c, 100c, 100c, 100c, 100c, 100c, 100c, 100c, and 100c.
  Refunds on bought items are available - refund for the sodium, refund for the ink, refund for the gold brooch, refund for the dividers, refund for the valentine, refund for the marked cards, refund for the Times newspaper, refund for the jewel.


This document is in the public domain - do with it as you will.
http://anthonybailey.net/blog/2004/04/22/public-domain-dedication