Policenauts (1994)
Genres:Adventure, Shooter, Visual Novel
Themes:Action, Science fiction, Mystery
Game modes:Single player
Story:Policenauts is an interactive movie/graphic novel/adventure game with a hard science fiction storyline, written and directed by Hideo Kojima, and published by Konami. It was initially released for the PC-9821 computer platform in 1994, followed by remade versions for the 3DO in 1995, and the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996. The game has never been officially released outside Japan, despite plans for an English localization of the Saturn version. On August 24, 2009 (in honor of the 46th birthday of the game designer, Hideo Kojima), an unofficial English translation patch was released onto the internet.
The game is set in a primarily first person perspective and uses a point-and-click interface: the player can move the cursor and have the protagonist (Jonathan Ingram) analyze objects around his environment or talk to other characters in the game. Like in Snatcher, the game features shooting segments where the player must defend their character from incoming enemies. The player can use the shooting trainer at the police department to test their reflex and accuracy. There are numerous puzzles in the game, including an event where the player must dismantle a bomb by following their partner's instructions.
The console versions of the game all include support for their respective mouse peripherals. The Saturn version features light gun support for the shooting segments.
The game was notable for being an early example of extensive voice recording in video games. It also featured a theme revolving around space exploration and occasional full-motion video cut scenes. The gameplay was largely similar to Snatcher, but with the addition of a point-and-click interface and some first-person shooter segments. Policenauts also introduced summary screens, which act to refresh the player's memory of the plot upon reloading a save, an element Kojima would later use in Metal Gear Solid. The PlayStation version of Policenauts could also read the memory card and give some easter egg dialogues if a save file of Konami's dating sim Tokimeki Memorial is present, a technique Kojima would also later use in Metal Gear Solid.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.1 377
Lesser known adventure by Kojima, because unlike Snatcher, it was unreleased outside Japan - I only played because a fan-translation project version. To this day I always remember a impactful moment from this title and, to me, is a evolution of Snatcher in so many ways. It is a gem from Kojima that should be played by anyone that enyoys sci-fi and adventures games - truly a hidden gem (like many many japonese games for us).
This game is currently only available in the West through a fan made translation (a very well done one) of the PlayStation/Saturn versions, which do not feature the original pixel art of the PC98 version. That version needs to be translated and ported to the West market, a little gem by Hideo Kojima that tells a lot about his storytelling abilities and uniqueness in creating.
It is extremely sad to see this, and Snatcher have so much fewer votes than any of the other games on the list. It is a great injustice. Those two games are excellent with great story and characters. They need to become more well know known to players who know little to nothing about it and become more available. I hope regardless of the low votes, this and the other will be considered to be preserved.
I played Policenauts at a time in my life when I felt lost like I was floating, untethered, watching people move on without me. The game wasn’t just a cyber-noir story set in space. It was about broken promises, about time slipping through your fingers, about holding on to memories even when they hurt. And for me, that hit harder than I ever expected.
What stuck with me most wasn’t the action or the tech. It was the silences the long stares between friends who became strangers, the pain under Ed’s voice, the weight Jonathan carried even when he pretended he was fine. It was about how men carry grief and guilt quietly, how friendship and love don’t always survive distance or time but sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get a second chance.
The ending didn’t feel triumphant. It felt real. Bittersweet. Like life. It reminded me of my own past of friends I let drift away, of family I couldn’t save, of words I waited too long to say. And when the credits rolled, I just sat there. Quiet. Full. Changed.
Policenauts isn’t just a game I played. It’s one I carry with me.
it would be amazing if this game was here and finally translated into English somewhat officially. It's a game from one of the best game dev of all time and it's a clasic!
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