The game was a basic bitmap graphics/multiple choice first-person adventure, written by game designer Al Lowe. Often cited as a simplified version of the original Dark Crystal computer game intended for a younger audience. It featured many of the same graphics and storyline as the original, but the puzzles and options were more simplified and menu oriented. In 1985 an "abridged edition" for the Apple II and DOS 3.3 was released by Encyclopaedia Britannica. The "abridged edition" was targeted for in-school use and the bundle included a special student booklet and a teacher's manual.