Los Angeles, 2019. The Tyrell Corporation built replicas for several years, humanoid robots performing tasks that men can do. Generating the most powerful and most intelligent, the NEXUS 6, is now banned on Earth, following a rebellion in a space colony. Blade Runner in good, you will have the "opt out" ...
There was a time not so long ago, when Point'n click adventure genre was in vogue. Monkey Island, Broken Sword, Days of the Tentacle? many games that made the heyday of our mice, before Runaway. Blade Runner is one of them. Developed by Westwood in 1997, Blade Runner is based on the film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott in 1982, and the novel by Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Dating from 1966. The adventure takes place in parallel with the film: you does not embody Deckard (played by Harrison Ford in the movie), but a man named Ray McCoy, a new recruit of the brigade.
We find the atmosphere and scenery of the film.
Blade Runner plunges us into a future so dark, murky, even oppressive. The different tables are constantly on the contrasts and lights, which benefits the immersion. The density of the decorations is also remarkable: the hotel Bradburry, the market or the apartment of the heroes are models of their kind, full of details that make the adventure credible. Speaking of credibility, music and sound effects are a real bonus. The noise of the crowd, rain, or advertising slogans ("a new world awaits you in the colonies of space" you will live long in mind) make this world alive cold. In fact, the game manages to distill the same atmosphere as the film, both visually as sound. We also think with joy of the film sets, as the hotel Bradburry or the offices of the Tyrell Corporation. Similarly, we can hear about the exploits of Deckard, the game takes place simultaneously with the film. These little winks will delight fans, without spoiling the particularity of the game analysis of photographic images is also present, and will prove decisive in resolving the investigation, or the famous test-Kampff Voight, who distinguishes a human from a replica.
You will need to analyze many images to advance.
It is in this inhospitable world that will drive Mac Coy. Who said moving said Point'n click with the mouse and interact with objects and characters. The cursor will turn green to interact, to change the blue area and right click is enough to draw his weapon, which turns red if a target presents itself. Yep, it will sometimes talk to the powder. The interactions are limited, however with both the sets with indexes, unlike a Broken Sword for example. That said, the more mature and dark justify the seriousness of the game puzzles, based primarily on the dialogues and collecting clues. As a police officer is interviewing suspects and witnesses that you will discover new items for your inquiry. Speaking of inquiry, let's look a little more about the scenario.
After an opening cinematic (these sequences that punctuate the progress has also aged quite well), you get to a pet store, where all animals are being slaughtered. Initial suspicion focused on a group of replicants got there just in a space shuttle. This crime allows McCoy to see what these replicas are capable, and collect various indices that will launch the investigation across the city. At first innocuous, the survey will be transported to the Tyrell Corporation, the company that manufactures the famous replicants.
Everything starts from a pet devastated.
While in pursuit of the Replicants, the player is confronted with his colleagues Blade Runners, including Crystal, who doubts the capabilities of the new. Gaff is also there to give advice enigmatic and famous origami animal. Guzzi, head ripoux, did not particularly trust you, and you hired only because of lack of staff. You will be tested twice during your investigation, and you, as a player who will make decisions that will affect relations with other characters, and you can create new allies (or enemies) .
The Voight-Kampff test identifies the replicas.
It is probably here lies the interest of the game: you really have choices to make that will impact the course and the final result. As an example located at the beginning of the game you are asked to interview a chef who ends up running away. You can continue, then shoot him. You can sheathe your weapon when you join and discuss with him. You can also let it slip away. You will then not have the same indices, and your relationship with the replicas and the police are already starting to move. The player to choose which side he preferred account, and how. A system used to select the mood of McCoy, which will influence the questions the characters encountered, and of course their answers.
The cook is preparing to play the daughters of the air.
It is therefore impossible to get all the clues, all the information of the game in the same party. In addition, one party to another, some characters can be humans or replicants! A feature that will push the player to repeat Blade Runner several times to find alternative situations and for different purposes. Some well hidden objects require a great deal of research: hidden pictures, more powerful ammunition, or an accessory to restrict access to your computer for other police officers? Small details that push the game to be searched thoroughly, and who can advance the story differently.
Ultimately, Blade Runner succeeded perfectly to immerse ourselves in this futuristic world. Allowing the player greater freedom within this complex scenario, the game pushes to dive back many times in the adventure to discover new aspects. A game that reminds us of the heyday of adventure game, a genre too little represented today.
