A strange little side quest
The rules may be simple on screen, but the backstory around Al Dente is anything but tiny. The first crossword puzzle book appeared in 1924 in a cautious initial printing of 3,600 copies, complete with a free pencil. The timeline takes another interesting turn: By 1987, fantasy role-playing had become a major computer-game direction, with Zelda, licensed Dungeons & Dragons games and other story-led adventures expanding the form. That is the kind of background detail that makes another attempt at Al Dente feel a bit more connected to the history of play.
