Policenauts (1994)

by Konami

Genres:Adventure, Shooter, Visual Novel

Themes:Action, Science fiction

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

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@Biduga

February 01, 2025

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).

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@arrmigliato

February 06, 2025

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.

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