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The Detective Game
/ Argus Press Software
1986
Screenshots: « play/stop »
The affluent Mr. Angus McFungus has been found dead – who is set to benefit from his untimely death? You, as Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Snide, must solve this case and intervene before the assassin strikes again...
Set in London in a typically English manor house belonging to the late Mr. Angus McFungus, TDG begins in the grand wood-panelled main hall. Here, you are greeted by the snooty butler (they usually get the blame!) called Bentley, who briskly shows you up to your room. Now you are free to explore the house at your will. You must search each room carefully for evidence which will eventually help lead you to the culprit. In your room you find a set of padded envelopes which you must fill with the pieces of evidence that you find around the manor. Once the envelopes are filled you are able to name the suspect that you think is the killer.
The crime scenes are surprisingly gruesome. When entering a room that contains a new victim you are greeted with a sudden blast of what sounds like a cat being let loose on a church organ! This is in stark contrast to the silence before entering the room which ensures that you will jump out of your seat! The other sounds used in TDG are found on the opening screen. It features an atmospheric synth theme tune ranging from slow, dark and eerie, to cheery and optimistic - and back again. Here, the character profiles flash up on screen. A good mix of eccentric personalities is introduced; the aforementioned Bentley the Butler, Gabriel Gasbag the maid; Hilda Crumble the cook, Reverend Wrinklebum, Professor Bull, Major Sludgebucket, Mr. Dingle the solicitor, Cynthia Sludgebucket and Doctor Mortem.
Game play is fairly straightforward. Throughout the game you are given a choice of actions for use with objects and doors. These are; open, search, combine, drop, read, use special items. A highlight of the game is the ability to search for hidden passages found inside various rooms of the manor. Although not essential for completing the game, it is well worth searching for them.
A drawback of TDG is the lack of inventory space which can be somewhat frustrating. However, this can be rectified by using the cabinet in your room as a place to store items temporarily. Placing items in other rooms is also a possibility if you are able to remember where you left them!
TDG is filled with tongue-in-cheek humour, with a couple of classic detective clichés thrown in. During the game, the scrolling text bar documents humorous random outbursts by the Major and the other occupants of the manor. Although unhelpful to the case, they are very entertaining!
This is a game that stands out from the rest due to its colourful characters, humour and graphical style. TDG is an exceptional game for the year in which it was created. A must play for any fan of a good murder mystery, or indeed the C64 itself.
TDG has been successfully remade for the Nintendo DS by an Australian game development company: Headsoft, in 2009. However, if like me you enjoy the nostalgic feel of C64 games you should try the original first.
Good luck finding the culprit!
Reviewed by
Emily Mack.
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