Policenauts

a.k.a. ポリスノーツ

created and published by Konami in 1994-07-29, running on NEC PC9801

type: adventure
genre: Science Fiction, Manga
setting: Future
perspective: 3rd person 1st person
player options: single player

languages: jpn

5/5

Comments (2)

Seemingly inspired by Lethal Weapon with many glaring similarities. The plot is some kind of mishmash of noir and police comedy, with various side activities like groping at boobs that gives only mild objections from the subjects.

Sanguine # 2015-03-05 10:59:06

Game description from Policenauts.net:

Policenauts is an incredible game directed by Kojima Hideo and realized by Konami. Unfortunately all versions of this game are only available in it's original Japanese language, although it is commonly believed that the game was planned from the beginning to have an English version and that it was cancelled.

Private Colelction Image The game features digitized anime and stills achieving what was called in it's trailers as 'The next generation of Snatcher'. Adding to the genre it achieves a richer interface by using a cursor to select items displayed on screen (in some versions aided by a mouse) and more dynamic shooting sequences that are not limited to a 3x3 grid. The Sega Saturn version even has gun support, being the last version that was released of the game.

The detail, depth of story, character definition, visuals that include Computer Graphics incredibly advanced for it's time and an impressive soundtrack have made hundreds of fans desire a translated version, and those that have played it cherish it as one of the greatest pieces of interactive digital art created. Kojima has demonstrated through multiple references in Metal Gear Solid that this is one of his favorite creations, for instance the small piece of music played during the Konami logo in Metal Gear Solid is from this game; Meryl first appeared on this title; the Marine's computer OS in Metal Gear Solid 2 tanker scene was created by Tokugawa; the video shown while Otacon speaks about anime and the posters hanging from the wall (replaced by Anubis references in the Twin Snakes version); some card board boxes in MGS 2; the EMPS in Zone of the Enders and even a poster in MGS2 to name the ones I know about.

But the most important evidence that this is a game that Kojima really appreciates, is simply that he has been involved as director in every single version and port of the game, unlike Snatcher and Metal Gear.

Unofficial English translation in progress:
www.romhacking.net