Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel

Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel is a simulation/adventure game produced by Jim Walls (a former Police Officer) for Sierra On-Line. It was originally released in 1987 and remade in 1992 using 256-color VGA graphics and mouse support.

Police Quest is a pioneering adventure game that brought a unique level of realism to the genre. Designed by former police officer Jim Walls, the game aimed to provide an authentic simulation of law enforcement procedures, setting it apart from other adventure games of the era. Utilizing Sierra’s AGI (Adventure Game Interpreter) engine, Police Quest combined traditional text-parser-based input with graphical environments, requiring players to type commands to interact with the world. The game follows Sonny Bonds, a police officer in the fictional town of Lytton, California, as he works his way up from routine patrols to take down a dangerous drug lord known as the Death Angel.

What made Police Quest stand out was its meticulous attention to detail. Unlike other adventure games focused on fantasy or mystery, this game required players to follow actual police procedures to succeed. Failing to properly secure a suspect, neglecting to check a vehicle’s license plate, or mishandling evidence could lead to a game-over scenario. This dedication to realism provided an experience that felt more like a police procedural than a traditional point-and-click adventure.

In 1992, Sierra released a VGA remake of Police Quest, bringing the game up to date with the new standard of adventure gaming. The remake utilized Sierra’s SCI (Sierra Creative Interpreter) engine, replacing the original EGA graphics and text parser with a fully mouse-driven interface and a higher-resolution VGA art style. This modernized the experience significantly, making interactions more intuitive while retaining the core mechanics and story. However, some fans of the original felt that the transition to a point-and-click interface removed some of the immersion that came with typing out commands in the original game.

Aside from the graphical and interface improvements, the 1992 version also featured enhanced sound, including digitized effects and music that took advantage of sound cards, something the 1987 version lacked. However, the story and structure remained nearly identical, with only minor refinements to dialogue and a few quality-of-life improvements.

Critically, both versions of Police Quest were well received, though for different reasons. The 1987 release was praised for its realism and unique take on the adventure genre, even if the strict adherence to police protocol frustrated some players. The 1992 remake, while visually and technically superior, was met with mixed reactions from purists who preferred the challenge of the text-parser interface.

Police Quest remains a landmark title in adventure gaming. Its blend of realism, procedural accuracy, and engaging storytelling set the foundation for an entire series of police-themed adventure games, cementing its place in Sierra’s legendary lineup.

The game was followed by Police Quest II: The Vengeance in 1988.