One of my favorite game series from that time period would have to be the Police Quest series, developed and published by Sierra On-Line in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Police Quest games were unique in that they offered a realistic portrayal of police work, requiring players to follow proper police procedures and protocols in order to succeed. The series’ main protagonist was Sonny Bonds, a police officer in the fictional town of Lytton, California. Through the course of the series, players would accompany Bonds as he investigates various crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and even a terrorist plot.
One of the coolest moments in the Police Quest series comes early on in the first game, Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel. In this game, players must use their knowledge of proper police procedures to investigate a murder case. This includes dusting for fingerprints, analyzing evidence in a lab, and interrogating suspects. However, the coolest moment of the game comes during a high-speed car chase, as Bonds pursues the titular “Death Angel” in his police cruiser. The player must navigate through city streets, avoiding obstacles and other vehicles while attempting to catch up to the suspect. It’s an adrenaline-fueled moment that really captures the excitement of police work.
Exploring the Thrills and Realism of the Police Quest Series:
Another highlight of the series is the third game, Police Quest III: The Kindred. In this game, Bonds must go undercover in a prison in order to investigate a drug trafficking ring. Players must use their wits and cunning to gain the trust of the other inmates and gather information on the drug operation. However, the coolest moment of the game comes when Bonds must escape from the prison, using his knowledge of police tactics to evade guards and navigate through the prison’s maze-like layout. It’s a tense and thrilling sequence that really highlights the ingenuity of the game’s developers.
One of the unique aspects of the Police Quest series was its use of keyboard commands to simulate police procedures. Here are some of the most frequently used commands in the series:
- LOOK: This command was used to examine objects in the game world, such as evidence or crime scenes.
- OPEN: This command was used to open doors, containers, and other objects.
- TALK: This command was used to initiate conversations with other characters in the game.
- INVENTORY: This command allowed players to view the items they were carrying in their inventory.
- SEARCH: This command was used to search a particular area or object for clues or evidence.
- DRIVE: This command allowed players to drive the police cruiser and other vehicles in the game.
- ARREST: This command was used to arrest suspects and bring them into custody.
- READ: This command was used to read documents and other written materials in the game.
- USE: This command was used to use or interact with objects in the game world.
- MAP: This command allowed players to view a map of the game world and navigate to different locations.
These commands, along with others, were used frequently throughout the Police Quest series to simulate the various tasks and procedures involved in police work. They added an extra layer of realism to the games and required players to think and act like actual police officers in order to succeed.
Finally, no discussion of the Police Quest series would be complete without mentioning the fourth game, Police Quest: Open Season. In this game, Bonds investigates a string of murders that appear to be related to a local hunting club. Players must navigate through the club’s forested grounds, gathering clues and interviewing suspects in order to solve the case. However, the coolest moment of the game comes during a confrontation with the club’s leader, as players must use their quick reflexes and sharpshooting skills to take down the villain before he can do any more harm.
Overall, the Police Quest series is a fantastic example of the adventure game genre from the late 1980s and early 1990s. With its realistic portrayal of police work and exciting gameplay moments, it’s no wonder that the series has remained popular with fans of classic computer games for decades.
