Sometimes retro-gaming is exactly what the doctor ordered. It can
clear out the sinuses and restore some perspective to a jaded modern
gamer.

Oberon Media’s Inspector Parker is an excruciatingly apt example
of retro-gaming at its very best. Everything about it is fuss- and
worry-free. It’s an easy download, it’s priced well,
and it’s easy to learn.

Inspector Parker is basically a lovingly-rendered Windows tribute
to an old DOS game called Sherlock, a computerized logic puzzle game
that I spent many delightful hours playing at work in the late 80s
and early 90s when I should have been word processing.

The game consists of a series of Clue-like scenarios in which the
player must use visual clues to determine the correct placement of
a set of victims, witnesses, suspects, weapons, and other murder-related
items. As you progress through the game the scenarios naturally increase
in size and complexity.

The clues are very basic
and easy to grasp, communicating the visual equivalent of “the rope must be in a room to the left of the
rat poison,” or “Grandma must be in a room on a higher
floor than Uncle Ned.”

The interface is a dream, consisting of nothing but left and right
mouse clicks.

As soon as you solve each scenario, the forensics team rushes in
and summarizes what dastardly deeds have been perpetrated by whom,
upon whom, and where.

Making this experience more delightful is the superb art design.
Every inch of the game sparkles with visual appeal. The same is true
for the excellent score and sound design.

For added challenge, the player can set the game to time the scenarios.
Yikes!

The only single criticism
I have of the game is that it’s
a little shy of content, even for the bargain price of $19.95. However,
this is somewhat ameliorated by the fact that, since all of the scenarios
are randomly generated, the replay value of the game is virtually
limitless.

Lately I’ve frequently found myself reaching for Inspector
Parker instead of firing up one of the newfangled monstrosities I’m
currently playing through. The game is a true tonic. Sequel! Sequel!

Final Grade: A

A free trial version of
Inspector Parker can be downloaded from Just
Adventure’s
game portal.

The full version – which costs $19.95 – includes
unlimited game play; 10 levels of difficulty, each with randomly
generated
boards for unlimited variation; access to the victims and rooms galleries;
and more rooms, weapons and suspects.

System Requirements:

• Microsoft 98, ME, 2000, XP
• Memory: 32 MB RAM
• Processor P II-233

This
review is copyright Ray Ivey and Just Adventure and
may not be republished elsewhere without the express written consent
of the author. Republication of said review must also contain a link
back to Just Adventure.