📖 Overview
Robert Foster is an American author and game writer best known for his strategy guides and gaming companion books published during the 1980s and 1990s. His most recognized work is "The Complete Guide to Middle-earth" (1971), a comprehensive reference book for J.R.R. Tolkien's works that remains a respected resource for Tolkien scholars and enthusiasts.
Foster established himself in the gaming industry by writing detailed strategy guides for Sierra On-Line adventure games, including guides for the King's Quest and Space Quest series. His guides were notable for their thoroughness and attention to detail, often including complete walkthroughs, maps, and comprehensive item lists.
The author's background in classical literature and mythology informed his analytical approach to both fantasy literature and game writing. His work on "The Complete Guide to Middle-earth" demonstrated his ability to systematically catalog and cross-reference complex fictional worlds, a skill he later applied to his game guides.
Foster's writing style combined academic precision with accessibility, making his works valuable references for both casual readers and serious researchers. His contributions to gaming literature helped establish standards for strategy guide writing during the formative years of the video game industry.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Foster's meticulous research and organization in "The Complete Guide to Middle-earth." Many cite its value as a reference while reading Tolkien's works, with multiple Amazon reviewers noting they keep it beside them during rereads of The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
His game guides receive recognition for detailed maps and step-by-step instructions. One Sierra game fan wrote, "Foster's King's Quest guides saved me countless hours of frustration with their clear solutions and hints."
Criticism focuses on dry, academic writing style in the Middle-earth guide. Some readers note outdated entries that don't incorporate information from later Tolkien publications. Gaming guide reviews mention high prices for what some considered basic information.
Ratings across platforms:
- Complete Guide to Middle-earth: 4.7/5 on Amazon (437 reviews), 4.46/5 on Goodreads (2,891 ratings)
- King's Quest Companion: 4.4/5 on Amazon (26 reviews)
- Space Quest Companion: 4.2/5 on Amazon (12 reviews)
📚 Books by Robert Foster
The Complete Guide to Middle-earth (1971)
A comprehensive alphabetical reference book covering the characters, places, events, and notable items found in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth works, including The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
King's Quest Companion Guide (1987) A detailed strategy guide providing complete solutions, maps, and background information for Sierra's King's Quest adventure game series.
Space Quest Companion Guide (1989) A thorough walkthrough manual containing maps, puzzle solutions, and gameplay tips for the Space Quest series of science fiction adventure games.
King's Quest Companion Guide (1987) A detailed strategy guide providing complete solutions, maps, and background information for Sierra's King's Quest adventure game series.
Space Quest Companion Guide (1989) A thorough walkthrough manual containing maps, puzzle solutions, and gameplay tips for the Space Quest series of science fiction adventure games.
👥 Similar authors
David Pringle created comprehensive reference guides and encyclopedias for science fiction and fantasy literature, including the Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels. His systematic approach to cataloging and analyzing genre works mirrors Foster's methodical style in game guides and Tolkien references.
Karen Wynn Fonstad specialized in creating detailed atlas books for fictional worlds, including The Atlas of Middle-earth and The Atlas of Pern. Her focus on methodical documentation and cross-referencing of fictional geography parallels Foster's approach to comprehensive world guides.
Peter Olafson wrote strategy guides during the 1990s for major game publishers and established standards for game documentation. His work for Prima Games demonstrated the same attention to detail and systematic approach that characterized Foster's Sierra guides.
Michael Andre-Driussi produced lexicons and companion guides for complex literary works like Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series. His detailed analysis and cross-referencing methods reflect Foster's academic approach to fantasy literature documentation.
Tyler Davis authored game strategy guides during the early era of video gaming and created systematic approaches to game documentation. His work for Nintendo Power showed similar dedication to thorough documentation and precise tactical instruction that Foster brought to his Sierra guides.
Karen Wynn Fonstad specialized in creating detailed atlas books for fictional worlds, including The Atlas of Middle-earth and The Atlas of Pern. Her focus on methodical documentation and cross-referencing of fictional geography parallels Foster's approach to comprehensive world guides.
Peter Olafson wrote strategy guides during the 1990s for major game publishers and established standards for game documentation. His work for Prima Games demonstrated the same attention to detail and systematic approach that characterized Foster's Sierra guides.
Michael Andre-Driussi produced lexicons and companion guides for complex literary works like Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series. His detailed analysis and cross-referencing methods reflect Foster's academic approach to fantasy literature documentation.
Tyler Davis authored game strategy guides during the early era of video gaming and created systematic approaches to game documentation. His work for Nintendo Power showed similar dedication to thorough documentation and precise tactical instruction that Foster brought to his Sierra guides.