Grand Larceny (1984)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Grand Larceny (1984): A Classic Adventure Game

Grand Larceny is a 1984 graphic adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was the first game in the company’s long-running Larry series, and it set the template for many of the series’ future installments.

The game follows the adventures of Larry Laffer, a hapless and womanizing salesman who gets caught up in a series of misadventures while trying to steal a priceless diamond necklace. Along the way, he encounters a cast of quirky characters, including a dominatrix, a mad scientist, and a talking parrot.

Grand Larceny was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Sierra On-Line as one of the leading developers of adventure games. The game’s groundbreaking graphics and innovative gameplay set a new standard for the genre, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.

Gameplay

Grand Larceny is a point-and-click adventure game. The player controls Larry Laffer as he explores various locations, interacts with objects and characters, and solves puzzles. The game’s interface is simple and intuitive, and it is easy to learn even for novice adventure gamers.

The game’s puzzles are challenging but fair, and they require the player to use their wits and observation skills. The game also features a number of humorous moments, and the player can often choose to respond to situations in a variety of ways.

Setting

Grand Larceny is set in the fictional city of Lost Wages, Nevada. The city is a thinly veiled parody of Las Vegas, and it is filled with casinos, showgirls, and other stereotypical Vegas attractions.

The game’s world is rich and detailed, and the player can explore a variety of locations, including casinos, hotels, bars, and even a sewer system. The game’s graphics are colorful and expressive, and they bring the world of Lost Wages to life.

Characters

Grand Larceny features a cast of quirky and memorable characters. The player character, Larry Laffer, is a hapless and womanizing salesman who is always getting into trouble. Larry is voiced by Mark Blankfield, who also voiced the character in the later Larry games.

Other characters in the game include:

  • Eve: A beautiful and mysterious woman who is the object of Larry’s affections.
  • Dr. Nonsequitur: A mad scientist who is working on a mind-control device.
  • Delores: A dominatrix who works at the local casino.
  • BJ: A talking parrot who provides Larry with advice and commentary.

Story

Grand Larceny’s story is full of twists and turns, and it keeps the player guessing until the very end. The game begins with Larry Laffer arriving in Lost Wages with the intention of stealing a priceless diamond necklace from the local casino. However, Larry soon finds himself caught up in a series of misadventures, and he must use all of his wits and cunning to survive.

Along the way, Larry encounters a cast of quirky characters, including a dominatrix, a mad scientist, and a talking parrot. He also learns that the diamond necklace is not what it seems, and he must race against time to stop a mad scientist from using it for evil.

Reception

Grand Larceny was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its groundbreaking graphics, innovative gameplay, and humorous writing. It was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Grand Larceny has been ranked among the greatest adventure games of all time by a number of publications, including IGN, GameSpot, and PC Gamer. The game has also been ported to a number of different platforms, including the Commodore 64, Apple II, and IBM PC.

Legacy

Grand Larceny is a classic adventure game that still holds up today. The game’s groundbreaking graphics and innovative gameplay set a new standard for the genre, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.

The game’s quirky characters and humorous writing have also made it a cult classic. The game has been referenced in a number of other works of popular culture, including the TV show “Seinfeld” and the movie “The Big Lebowski.”

Grand Larceny is a must-play for any fan of adventure games. It is a challenging and rewarding game that will keep you entertained for hours on end.

Review Score

8/10

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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