Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon (1997)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon (1997)

A Puzzle-Solving Adventure Through Time and Space

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon is a point-and-click adventure game developed by Legend Entertainment and released in 1997. It is based on the Callahan’s Bar stories by Spider Robinson, and features many of the same characters and locations. The game follows the player character, Jake Stonebender, as he travels through time and space to find a way to save his friend, Callahan.

The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player interacts with the world by clicking on objects and people. The game’s puzzles are often complex and require the player to use their wits and ingenuity to solve them. The game also features a number of branching dialogue trees, which allow the player to make choices that affect the story.

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best adventure games ever made. The game’s praised for its well-written story, complex puzzles, and charming characters.

Story

The story of Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon begins in the year 2042. The player character, Jake Stonebender, is a private investigator who is hired to find his friend, Callahan. Callahan is the owner of a bar called Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon, which is located in a pocket dimension that exists outside of time and space.

Jake soon discovers that Callahan has been kidnapped by a group of aliens called the Venusians. The Venusians are planning to use Callahan’s knowledge of time travel to conquer the Earth. Jake must travel through time and space to find Callahan and stop the Venusians.

Along the way, Jake meets a cast of colorful characters, including a talking dog, a robot, and a vampire. He also learns more about the history of Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon and the strange events that have occurred there.

Gameplay

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon is a point-and-click adventure game. The player interacts with the world by clicking on objects and people. The game’s puzzles are often complex and require the player to use their wits and ingenuity to solve them. The game also features a number of branching dialogue trees, which allow the player to make choices that affect the story.

The game’s world is composed of a series of still screens. The player can move between screens by clicking on arrows or by using the keyboard. The player can also interact with objects on the screen by clicking on them. When the player clicks on an object, a context menu will appear, which will list the actions that the player can take.

The game’s puzzles are often complex and require the player to use their wits and ingenuity to solve them. The puzzles often involve finding hidden objects, solving riddles, and manipulating objects in the environment. The game also features a number of branching dialogue trees, which allow the player to make choices that affect the story.

Characters

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon features a cast of colorful characters, including:

  • Jake Stonebender: The player character. Jake is a private investigator who is hired to find his friend, Callahan.
  • Callahan: The owner of Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon. Callahan is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who knows more about time travel than anyone else.
  • The Lady: A beautiful and mysterious woman who is a regular patron of Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon.
  • The Professor: A brilliant scientist who is obsessed with time travel.
  • The Robot: A robot who works as a bartender at Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon.
  • The Vampire: A vampire who is a regular patron of Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon.

Themes

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon explores a number of themes, including:

  • The nature of time: The game explores the nature of time and the consequences of changing it.
  • The importance of friendship: The game shows the importance of friendship and the sacrifices that people are willing to make for their friends.
  • The power of hope: The game shows the power of hope and the importance of never giving up, even when things seem impossible.

Legacy

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best adventure games ever made. The game’s praised for its well-written story, complex puzzles, and charming characters. The game has been ported to a number of platforms, including the PC, Mac, and iOS.

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon has also been the subject of a number of fan-made remakes and sequels. The most popular of these is a fan-made remake called Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon: Remastered, which was released in 2016. Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon: Remastered features updated graphics and sound, as well as a number of new puzzles and story elements.

Conclusion

Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon is a classic adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s well-written story, complex puzzles, and charming characters make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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