I'm committed to beating this game without using any FAQs or guides, but I think I've pretty much done all I can do and am feeling a little bit aimless. I'm SURE I'll beat it at some point in my life, but for now, I'll have to live with a mere 289/350 points. Has anyone here actually finished this game, without cheating? If so, you earn my respect forever. :)

if drawing a map is cheating, no.

I've enjoyed what bit of Zork I've played, but I've never beaten it. Arbitrary puzzles do not interest me and the story isn't good enough to make me sit through them.

I'm playing The Longest Journey right now with the same philosophy. Some of the puzzles are interesting, but I've got a guide running in the background as I just can't be bothered with them. Using it more as an interactive novel, and it's a great novel.

I never beat the game on the old Epson QX-10, but I just got it for the iphone. Can't wait to play it again.

I'm going to attempt a complete run without cheating or using a FAQ. I already started about an hour ago, and as far as I can tell, I'm pretty far in.

I never beat any Infocom game w/o help.  Remember games were new at the time  and that type of thinking wasnt as common as it is today. I dont think you, or anyone will have trouble finishing without help.
 
My 2 cents: graph paper is your best friend.

I'm going to attempt a complete run without cheating or using a FAQ. I already started about an hour ago, and as far as I can tell, I'm pretty far in.

@Claude said:

@GreggD said:

I'm going to attempt a complete run without cheating or using a FAQ. I already started about an hour ago, and as far as I can tell, I'm pretty far in.

Aw man, you should have made a new thread or blog. Good luck.

Thanks, man. All I needed was a lift from a man named Claude, y'know. It's like rubbing a Buddha statue for good luck, or something.