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.
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Meryl: "Don't talk that way."
Jonathan: "Here."
Meryl: "Your Cigarettes?"
Jonathan: "And everything I've ever lived for."
Lethal Weapon but in SPACE. It's your classic buddy cop action but with a sci-fi and neo-noir twist. Aint that neat? Jonathan Ingram and Ed Brown are just the guys from Lethal Weapon but like more interesting and better with such an endearing dynamic that I can't get enough of. The rest of these characters too are so interesting. This word-building is such a master class I was so invested I was clicking everything wondering what each thing was. The game looks nice too, I prefer the sprites of the PC-98 version but the cels are great too. The plot is so good, like I said classic buddy cop action yet with what makes a Kojima story a Kojima story, it is a bit slow at the beginning but doesn't affect me in any way. I wish there wasn't much boob jiggling but whatever.
Released mid-90s and still one of the best examples of world building and intrigue in a video game. It goes into great detail explaining not only the rules and hierarchy of the setting, but also some fundamental rules and consequences of living in space. Something you see little to no mention of in other narrative space games.
Exhausting options and exploring different sequences of interactions are typically very rewarding, with lots of reading and learning available should you want it. If you're the kind of player who likes to squeeze every bit of possible text from a game, this should satisfy.
It takes full advantage of every screen, letting you interact with everything, sometimes to the main character's (and arguably the game's) detriment.
Players coming for a chill point & click story might be soured on some of the later combat sections, which ask for speed and dexterity otherwise absent from the rest of the game. It's wise to look up the full range of controls in those sections, to help take any edge off.
Policenauts is good, don't get me wrong. It's at its best when the game is fulfilling its promises of a gritty Sci-Fi Space Detective Noire Thriller. There are some genuinely great moments of tension and mystery and these moments are made all the more fun when playing with the Sega Virtua Gun/Stunner. The story on offer here is engaging and the exhaustive amount of world-building through text is a Kojima fan's wet dream.
But.
This is Kojima at his grossest. Every woman in this game - except for one or two - can be ogled, commented on, hit on, or groped. It's frequent, uncomfortable, and at one stage required to progress the plot. I can't tell if the intent was for comedic effect, some sort of roundabout reference to eroge, or just plain perviness. Either way, it does actively hamper my enjoyment and immersion in the story and makes the overall experience noticeably worse.
If you've exhausted all other avenues for Kojima's brand of storytelling Policenauts is worth your time, but be prepared for a level of uncomfortableness. Otherwise play the much cooler, better, and less creepy (SEGA CD) SNATCHER.