Very old adventure game
 

This was the first game I ever played and no matter how much I interrogate my father or google frantically I can't find out the name of it.

Basically, it was your classic Text Adventure game, although I have a vague recollection of their being some very basic pictures above the text as well. As a very young kid I mainly just went North, East, etc randomly.

The one distinguishing feature I remember is that you could pick an item to take with you at the start. Either a boat, a poison tester or a ray gun of some kind. You'd come across a place where you'd need to cross a river, eat some fruit or aliens where you'd need the ray gun.

I imagine the game was on a very old PC (pre-286) or similar (as it was my father's business machine he used at home for work).

Anyway, any suggestions/help greatly appreciated - as this has bugged me for years :)

Cheers,
Nic