Consulting Detective Vol. III - The Banker's Final Debt

Written by Morpheus Kitami

Haha, the person we pay rent to is a terrible cook, take that for giving us a good deal!

Inspector Gregson is having tea with Holmes and Watson. Glad the game remembered him, having Lestrade be a friendly figure felt like something out of bizarro world. Holmes is more interested in a crossword puzzle than the on-going conversation about a murder of a respected banker. After insulting their landlady's cooking, Gregson gets to the crime. The chief accountant for the Bank of England, Oswald Mason, was found murdered in his home at 10 o'clock last night by his wife. Holmes is being called in because Mason was doing important work for The Treasury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer wants to make sure it isn't related.

I check the newspaper, it's April 11th, and Mason died yesterday, with a rather uneventful article in the paper. Not really much else I can do before finding evidence.

Consulting Detective Vol. III - Watson Steps In

 Written by Morpheus Kitami

As could be expected when Joe announced a hiatus on his contributions to the blog, someone else had to step in to play Consulting Detective Vol. III. I was the most enthusiastic...in the sense that I was the only one who really offered. During the playthrough of II, I tried the DVD version of I, which ended badly, but this time that isn't an option, and most importantly, since then I've had a renewed sense of appreciation of Holmes thanks to the Russian version starring Vasily Livanov. As such, whenever I'm stuck, I'll ask myself, what would he do? Er...what would his character do. Also as is usual when I take over a game, you may change your score guesses at no penalty. Without ado, let's begin.

Holmes' Introduction

Holmes introduces London as an unpleasant city full of danger lurking behind every corner, but that there are people who can help the player. Firstly, we have the daily newspaper, a source of invaluable information regarding our cases. Then, we have the Baker Street Irregulars, a group of vagabond schoolchildren who perform tasks for Holmes. In game, as you may recall from previous games, these guys basically just perform actions instead of Holmes or Watson going there, lowering your score. (Higher is worse) Then, the Baker Street Regulars, various doctors and reporters Holmes knows and can gather clues from. Some are vital to the success of a case, others are often just a source of clues.

Also, for readability's sake, I'm going to be putting in bold the names of people or places you can visit. At least the first time.

Discussion Point: Game Plots

Written by The TAG Team

How to keep track of it all?

There's been some games with some pretty convoluted plots, some with simple ones.  Which are the ones that stick out in your mind?

What's your favorite plot?  Is it something simple, like a man in outdated clothing styles trying to hook up with many ladies?  Or perhaps something more complex, like a college student discovering the role of magic in the world and having to bounce between the ordinary and the mystical in order to restore balance to the universe?

What was the best premise for a game?  Or the biggest let-down?

Companions of Xanth – Final Rating

By Ilmari

Looking at the discussion in the comments section of the game and especially the messages from people who have actually played the game, one might expect Companions of Xanth to receive a rather disappointing score. A surprising contrast to this atmosphere of dislike is provided by Digital Antiquarian’s take on the game, since there the game was portrayed in a more positive light, especially in comparison with the book series it was based on. I am not yet sure where I will land on this spectrum, and there’s only one way to find out, so let’s begin scoring!

Our readers are always ready!

Missed Classic: Valhalla - Abandoned

Written by Morpheus Kitami

Welcome back to Valhalla, the game I started back in April and kept putting off continuing for other games because it wasn't quite the right time for this kind of mapping. Considering I was putting off starting this game for a while, that tracks. It's not quite the game that's taken me to the longest between starting and finishing as far as posting it on the internet goes, but it's getting close. This is feeling like a lot of effort for not a lot of content.

Police Quest: Open Season - What’s a Guy Like Me Doing In a Place Like This?

By Alex

It’s been a while since our last post. I can only blame real life for getting in the way. I haven’t played since the session that this post covers, but this is a long one with a lot of good stuff I’m sure you’ll enjoy, so thank you for your patience.

Before we begin, playing a game set in L.A., it’s hard not to think about the fires engulfing that city and metropolitan area as we speak. Heck, being an American, it’s hard not to think about this. Or being a human. I’m sure all of your prayers are with those affected as are mine. If you’d like to donate, here are a few links to pages with additional links to a whole bunch of charities right there on the ground here (more local) and here (some more big-ticket charities but also a bunch of local ones.

It’s going to feel weird trying to crack wise in light of this, but I shall do my best.

Companions of Xanth – Won!

By Ilmari

Last time, I had just arrived at the gates of the castle of Good Magician Humfrey. I asked Jenny, my new companion, how to get in, and she suggested using her cat, Sammy, to find a way in.

Sammy kept pawing the wall, and checking it, I wound a loose brick, behind which I could find a switch. Flipping it opened the gate and let me in.

Companions of Xanth – Ogre, Ogre and Dragon on a Pedestal

By Ilmari

I bet that “sail” is meant to be taken literally

Would this do the trick?

Apparently not

Discussion Point: The Best Presents

 Written by The TAG Team

Now that the holidays are over, let's talk about the loot you've gotten over the years.  Remember when you were a kid, opening up presents on Christmas, Hanukkah, your birthday, or another occasion?  How about the joy of being given a big box, the mystery (and perhaps anxiety) over what might or might not be in it?

Did it ever turn out to be a game?  Or some new, upgraded hardware to play those games with?  What was the best gift like that you've ever gotten?  Or, if you're a better person than we are, the best game or hardware you've given someone else as a gift.

Regale us with "los regalos" from holidays past in the comments below!

Companions of Xanth – Faun and Games

By Ilmari

What was my goal again? It seems that for a couple of posts I’ve just been going through various parts of Xanth, without any clear idea where I am heading. There was some sort of prize I was supposed to find out, and I had to look for the Good Magician Humfrey… Really, neither of these plot points have had anything to do with the challenges I have been facing.

This one’s the next one in line