Worlds Apart

Worlds Apart is a novel-length work of interactive fiction by Suzanne Britton, set in an alternate universe she calls The Higher World. Built on the TADS engine in the tradition of classic Infocom adventures, it casts the player as the protagonist of a sprawling personal tale rather than a puzzle-box.

The Higher World

The author spent more than twenty years dreaming about The Higher World before pouring three years of creative effort into the game itself. The setting is dense with lore, geography, and characters whose lives extend well beyond the central plotline.

Interactive fiction, not a novel

Players progress by typing parser commands such as "sit on the chair" or "ask the wizard about magic." The emphasis falls on conversation, observation, and self-discovery rather than inventory puzzles or scored objectives.

Optional exploration

A central narrative drives the story forward, but the author notes that "the majority of Worlds Apart is optional." Curious players who wander off the critical path will uncover side characters, hidden rooms, and additional layers of backstory.

System compatibility

The Macintosh release runs under System 7.0 through 7.6 and Mac OS 9, packaged with a TADS interpreter suitable for Classic Mac hardware. A 2000 release date places it near the end of the Classic Mac IF community's most active period.