Police Quest Collection

I've been gaming for over 30 years, ever since the ripe age of 12. One of the first graphical games that was purchased for me that I played on my 486. Spent hours playing PQ1, trying to figure out how to get out of my car which it was driving, and how to subdue that crazy guy in the park without shooting him. The old school Sierra classics are such nostalgia that provided me with such memorable experiences that I often think back upon then with fondness. No identity politics, no pandemics, no problems. These games were crafted by studios that understood the intricacies and idiosyncracies of gaming that made them memoriable and appreciateD by old school gamers. Worth having to play and reminisce.

The original EGA version of 'Police Quest' was one of, if not the first, Sierra adventure games I played. Back then, I was astounded by the graphics and openness of the game world (i.e. City of Lytton) in the original 'PQ1'. Sure, I would crash my vehicle frequently, but I enjoyed seeing actual traffic on the roads! The VGA remake is more aesthetically pleasing by today's standard, but its graphics just don't seem to reflect the rising crime in Lytton well. Good thing this game collection has both versions so you can judge for yourself. The strictness with which players have to follow police procedures can be somewhat unforgiving in 'PQ1'. Seemingly in response, 'PQ2' was made to have a more Hollywood action movie feel. Player-controlled driving portion was also removed, which happened to improve the game's pacing. The changes that were made to 'PQ2' must have ruffled some feathers because 'PQ3' ended up being more like VGA version of 'PQ1', but with a Hollywood movie-esque storyline like in 'PQ2'. Then there is ‘Police Quest: Open Season’, designed by Tammy Dargen of 'America's Most Wanted' fame, and Daryl Gates, former police chief of the LAPD. Dargen and Gates' experience did not translate into good game design. 'OS' features more stringent police procedures to follow, which may provide a realistic look into police work, but not fun for players. The protagonist of 'OS' was also boring from the get-go, and became unlikeable very quickly. The digitized photos and videos of real locations and actors in 'OS' did not age well, making it the worst looking game in the collection. Mismatch in lighting, drab colour palette, and awful (physical and voice) acting made it look like a B-movie. Ironically, the pixelated and handrawn graphics in Jim Wall's trilogy made the first three games look more timeless. This game collection is a must-get for 'PQ' fans despite my dislike for 'OS'. It's great bargain especially when both EGA and VGA versions of 'PQ1' are included!

I will preface my review with a strong warning : The Police Quest games were the first PC games I was introduced to that had me "hooked". I spent years playing all 4 of these games, and continue to do so every once in awhile (Like checking in on an old neighbor) Sierra was a household name in the industry of video games during the late 80's / early to mid 90's. While competition would come from other powerhouse companies such as LucasArts and MicroProse, Sierra would often take familiar settings / stories and apply them into their 'Adventure' formula to be released to thousands of hungry and ultimately satisfied customers. The Police Quest series applied the formula to our boys in blue. While the original trilogy share a story of drugs, murder, and the pursuit of a "Death Angel", each game applies certain elements of police work in a different manner. PQ 1 seems to focus more on the daily grind of a police officer, you go from investigating a traffic incident turned murder to responding to a public nuisance call involving parking spots and motorcycles. No day would be incomplete without a few traffic stops either. The story itself is exciting. PQ2 drops the traffic / mundane work of being a police officer and throws you right into a "catch the escaped criminal" scenario. The game focuses more on the training elements of being a police officer. Your weapon must always be calibrated, investigative tools always be stocked, and a keen eye for detail always equipped. The story itself seems like it could have been borrowed from an episode of America's Most Wanted. Gameplay is limited to the famous typing parser Sierra would use during this era. PQ3 seems to focus on the actual human persona side of being a police officer. The game attempts a variety of different psychological elements to allow you to "feel" like you are the main character. By far, one of my favorite of the series. The game feels like a giant leap foward in terms of the maturity necessary to play

Nostalgia is magic. To everyone who says the original is not in here, it is. Just select the EGA version at the load menu and voila! Problem solved.

I'm not going to say that this series isn't good; it is. However, it is very different from your typical adventure game in that it plays more like a simulation instead of a puzzle-solving game. In order to play this game successfully, you will need to check the manual often while playing. It simply is not possible to beat this game without doing so (mainly you'll be looking up police procedures and violation codes). Most of the "puzzles" consist of not forgetting how to act like an officer as opposed to using your wits. That said, there is an undeniable charm to this series that raises it above a straight police simulator. The writing is believable and interesting, with only a few annoying moments. Essentially this is best for those who'd like to play an adventure game with a great story, but don't mind a real-world setting as opposed to a fantastic one. Like most people, there is a particular complaint I have with this package: It includes the Police Quest 1 vga version, but not the original (though from a story standpoint, this is unimportant).