Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Delta 4 Software
- Publishers: Piranha
The Big Sleaze (1987): A Hilarious Spoof of Pulp Detective Novels
The Big Sleaze is a 1987 text adventure game developed and published by Infocom. It is a spoof of hardboiled detective novels, and features a wisecracking private investigator named Rex Nebular who is hired to find a missing person.
The game is set in the fictional city of Sleaze City, which is a neon-lit, crime-ridden metropolis. Rex Nebular is a down-on-his-luck private investigator who is hired by a beautiful woman named Velvet Legume to find her missing husband, Dick Tracy.
Rex quickly learns that Dick Tracy is not who he seems to be, and that he is involved in a dangerous criminal underworld. Rex must use all of his wits and resources to find Tracy and bring him to justice.
The Big Sleaze is a hilarious and well-written game that is full of clever puzzles and witty dialogue. The game’s parser is very sophisticated, and allows players to interact with the game world in a natural way.
The game’s graphics are simple, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere. The game’s sound effects are also well-done, and they help to bring the game world to life.
The Big Sleaze was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best text adventure games ever made. The game has been praised for its humor, its clever puzzles, and its well-written dialogue.
Gameplay
The Big Sleaze is a text adventure game, which means that the player interacts with the game world by typing commands. The game’s parser is very sophisticated, and allows players to interact with the game world in a natural way.
The game is set in the fictional city of Sleaze City, which is a neon-lit, crime-ridden metropolis. The player takes on the role of Rex Nebular, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who is hired to find a missing person.
The player must explore Sleaze City and interact with its inhabitants in order to find the missing person. The player can use a variety of commands to interact with the game world, such as “look,” “talk,” and “use.”
The player must also solve a variety of puzzles in order to progress through the game. The puzzles are clever and challenging, and they require the player to use their wits and resources.
Characters
The Big Sleaze features a cast of memorable and well-developed characters. The player takes on the role of Rex Nebular, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who is hired to find a missing person.
Rex is a wisecracking and cynical character, but he is also a good-hearted and determined detective. He is always willing to help those in need, even if it means putting himself in danger.
The other characters in the game are just as well-developed as Rex. The player will meet a variety of characters, including femme fatales, corrupt politicians, and dangerous criminals.
Setting
The Big Sleaze is set in the fictional city of Sleaze City, which is a neon-lit, crime-ridden metropolis. The city is full of seedy bars, gambling dens, and other places of vice.
The city is also home to a variety of criminal organizations, including the Mafia and the Triads. The player must navigate this dangerous world in order to find the missing person.
Themes
The Big Sleaze is a humorous game, but it also explores some serious themes, such as crime, corruption, and redemption. The game shows the dark side of human nature, but it also shows that there is always hope for redemption.
Legacy
The Big Sleaze was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best text adventure games ever made. The game has been praised for its humor, its clever puzzles, and its well-written dialogue.
The game has also been influential in the development of other video games. For example, the game’s parser has been used in a number of other text adventure games, including Zork and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
The Big Sleaze is a classic text adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s humor, clever puzzles, and well-written dialogue make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
