The story takes place in the Great Underground Empire, several hundred years after the last Zork game, and sees players investigating a region that is slowly falling into decay thanks to a powerful demon-like entity that targets those who oppose it.

Return to Zork proved a commercial success, with one million units sold by the end of 1995, stablizing Activision following its acquistion by a new owner.

They can be conversed with, though conversations are steered by the player using different emotional reactions to the NPC, such as acting aggressive, or making pleas to them, rather than selecting verbal topics like traditional adventure games; the choice of emotional reaction impacts how the NPC will respond, such as making them provide information or grant an item.

Four hundred years before the beginning of the game, in 1247 GUE, Zork experienced an event called the "Great Diffusion", which impact life, but is now regarded centuries later as less historical and more a myth.

The game's events take place in a region of what was once the Great Underground Empire, known as the Valley of Sparrows, which features a forest, swamp, ruins and mines, and the town of Shanbar.

The game begins with Player receiving a letter from the mailbox before Zork's iconic "White House", revealing they have won the sweepstakes for an all expenses paid holiday to the Valley of Sparrows, courtesy of Rufus Rooper, owner of a travel company.

Conversing with the inhabitants, including fellow Zork explorer Rebecca Snoot, the Player learns that Shanbar is under threat from a mysterious being known only as Morphius.

Thanks to its presences, vultures emerged in the Valley, Shanbar was separated by powerful magic, and many of the remaining inhabitant suffer frequent and disturbing nightmares, with some becoming reclusive and paranoid.

Using the artifact, the Player gains entry to Morphius stronghold, overcoming obstacles to finally battle with them, learning that their many friends they made have been turned into statues.

Playing a game they learnt about in East Shanbar, the Player defeats Morphius in their match, causing the entity to destroy itself with its own power, an event that goes on to be referred to as "The Second Great Diffusion".

The cast included a number of well-known younger actors: Robyn Lively of Twin Peaks as "The Fairy", Jason Hervey of The Wonder Years as "The Troll King", Sam J. Jones from the 1980 film Flash Gordon as "The Blind Bowman", and A.J.

[21] In April 1994 the magazine said that despite some poor acting, the game's "marvelous visual and sound presentation" and "many plot twists and engaging characters will keep most players engrossed".

The editors wrote that it "masterfully ... balances the traditions of a classic gaming series with cutting-edge graphics and CD-ROM technology.