'Discworld Noir' by GT Interactive

Reviewed by: Michelle (Wyrmtongue, Sep. 2000)

Required Specs: P166+, Win 9X

This is the third* Discworld computer game (based on Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' if you didn't know already). It's a point & click adventure game, but unlike the previous two, it absolutely reeks of atmosphere and style. The feeling is of a slightly over-the-top film noir (hence the title), but full of light-hearted touches and tongue-in-cheek dialogue. The developers have obviously tried to make this an "interactive movie" - a fairly common aim these days, but this is the first time I've seen a game where it actually worked.

You play the traditional Private Investigator, and the majority of the gameplay involves detective work through talking to people (so if you can't be bothered with character interaction or following complex plots, this game is really not for you). There are of course several object-based puzzles, but these generally aren't very difficult, and are refreshingly logical - unlike in Discworlds 1 & 2, which had rather more than their fair share of obscure and frustrating puzzles.

The storyline is nicely convoluted, although the plot becomes extremely cliched in the last act. Nevertheless, this is the most entertaining game I've played in a long while. If you like adventure games, go play it - good luck finding it in the shops (sigh)!

* well actually fourth, if you include the old 'Colour of Magic' text adventure.