Deja Vu

I won't include any major plot information in this review in case readers of it go on to play the game for the first time.
I first played Deja Vu when I was about 10-11 years old. We had acquired an Amiga system and a big bag of discs for it. It was a bit hit and miss testing them all and finding decent games. So when Deja Vu loaded up I realised I was in for a treat just from the opening graphics!
The game is set in 1940's America if I recall correctly.

It begins with you waking up in a toilet stall of a dilapidated bar. Groggy and unable to remember much. You've obviously been drugged.
The interface was the classic 'Open, Close, Exam, Speak, Take' sort of thing and the dialogue and descriptions were witty and enjoyable to read when coming upon a new scene.
You move around the impressive environments, gathering information and collecting an array of items. Guns, keys, drugs, and beer glasses if you really want one. You can even catch a taxi to locations, provided of course that you have the money and the address to hand.
There are events where the next few moves you made were vital as well! There is a persistent mugger around the outside of the bar. You could give him your money of course, talk to him, shoot him or, the best option, hit him! In the very 'batman-esque' fashion you get the sound effect and words 'Socko!' on the screen. Revisiting the area grants you an encounter with a familiar looking mugger sporting a black eye, following the same actions again will bring him up a third time with two black eyes. I liked this addition a lot. It really added flavour to the game.
I do remember feeling quite lost when playing it for the first few times, my young mind not quite getting the hang of the time limit placed upon the character. The man you play as slowly deteriorates as the game moves along and you explore. You need to find a drug to counteract it as soon as possible.
Plus the fact that there are a couple of dead bodies around that could well be your doing. Messing around too much at the start can mean the police catching up with you.
Either way, it's an interesting adventure with plenty of dirt to be discovered. The plot thickens more and more, so much so I believe the game spawned a sequel.
Playing Deja Vu not only began my own love for point and click adventures, but it paved the way for companies like LucasArts and Revolution Software etc. to make the great games they are famous for. The fact that the memory of it has stuck with me this well over the years is evidence enough to its worthwhile!
I think I will have to replay it now I've got the buzz.