The Clue is also known as Der Clou an adventure strategy hybrid game that was released by NEO Software in the middle nineties. It features both top-down perspective and first person views. It is a wonderful little adventure with an interesting protagonist and easily followed story line.
The Clue begins with the protagonist Matthew Stuyvesant, who is an aspiring young criminal, trying to rob and pilfer his way to wealth in London, England. The adventure portion of the game begins as Matt wanders around the city, looking for accomplices for his crimes, as well as possible lucrative targets and get away drivers.
He is also seeking clues about the best strategies for robbing some of the richer buildings in the city. He begins his adventure at the Victoria Train Station, and radiates outward from that starting point.
Matt makes his way from place to place in the town by taking the free taxi cab. Because he was the cabbie’s ten thousandth customer, Matt received free cab services for the term of one year. He leaves the station in the cab, armed with a few coins, and reserves a hotel room. He then makes his way to a kiosk some ways out of time to perform his first heist, and the game is on. As Matt makes more money by robbing more and better places, he is
able to purchase more items that make his thieving easier, similar to a role playing game for criminals. The police, who were friendly at the onset of the game, have become increasingly more suspicious and dangerous, making the crimes trickier to pull off.
The strategy portion of the game comes into play with the actual crime. First, the area must be observed in order to determine what time is going to be the safest to pull off the heist. Matt needs to know what tools he may need in order to take what he wants from each scene, and he needs a viable get away driver. After all of the strategic planning is finished, it is just a matter of letting him go to make his fortune.
The Clue is an interesting game with a great antihero and fun story line. The graphics are colorful and engaging, and the interface is fairly easy to manipulate. As a burglary simulation, it was one of a kind in its day, and is still a unique gaming experience. The Clue comes recommended for download by gamers of all ages looking for an unusually intriguing gaming experience.
