Post Mortem

Everything I know about the Knights Templar came from computer games, the group continually cropping up, particularly in the adventure game genre. Which, depending on how you look at it, makes it either an endless source of fascination for players over the years, or a derivative plot device that's getting pretty stale.

Something similar could be said about Post Modem's format - Microids may be struggling but it seems too late to stop its obsession with third-rate pre-rendered adventures.

In this case, we've got an American PI investigating a murder in 1920s Paris before - wooh! - things spiral out of control. Matters aren't helped by him being blander than lain Duncan Smith eating a water biscuit or by the emotionless voice acting, dull backgrounds and illogical structure. Its most damning feature has to be its conversation system, making the player miss irretrievable plot information depending on arbitrary choices, and on occasion leading to bouts of precognition on behalf of your character.

A private investigator game has to rely on a set of conventions for its foundations. If you can't get those right, there's no point building a fantasy plot or a handful of puzzles over the top - you're just going to get a mess. Post Mortem isn't original in any way, shape or form - you're best seeking out the Tex Murphy series or Discworld Noir if you want decent gumshoe action.