Nerds That Geek Game Review - 'Police Quest II: The Vengeance'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​It seems that at this point in time, Hollywood and the gaming world have started to blend together nicely since we are seeing game companies release cinematic feasts for the eyes that are complete with layered and powerful scripts that unfold like a magnificent summer blockbuster as you plug ahead with your controller. But what’s truly amazing, is that what we are seeing now, is the direct result of years of trial and error in the gaming world, since many a title back in the day tried their best to suck us into an interactive movie.
 
But for every game that actually pulled off this impressive feat, there were plenty more waiting in the wings that simply stunk to high heaven thanks to poor acting and writing and everything in between. But of the many games that tried to create that perfect hybrid, several great ones came out of the Sierra On-Line lineup and one that continues to stick in my mind was the second chapter in the Police Quest saga, Police Quest II: The Vengeance, simply because this was a game that found a way to create that Hollywood magic despite its graphical limitations.
 
Now it accomplished such a feat, by working incredibly hard to create a story that completely and utterly drew you in and well, what better way to make that happen than by resurrecting some classic crime story tropes, like having the bad guy live up to the game’s namesake by bringing vengeance down upon those who helped lock him up and that works like a charm here. If anything, it’s the characters and the story that carry this sequel because this time around, we truly get to know Sonny Bonds, and our villain, Jessie Bains and the depth that comes with the people populating this tale adds gravity to the story and you quickly find yourself hungry to see Bains be brought to justice.
 
But, while the story blows me away to this day, the game never strays from the fundamentals that were established in the original. Which means that police work is still a big focus of this game, and it’s quite cool to see procedure work hand in hand with a Hollywood style script because the investigation that takes place after a shootout in the park simply feels like an extended scene in a movie, and of course, the clues one finds from the investigation are paramount to the plot and cutting corners will likely mean disaster for you down the line, forcing you head back and do things right.
 
All of these elements simply make for one fun ride. Because this game is fast paced and damn entertaining and oddly enough, the ‘enhanced’ EGA graphics that this game was designed with, almost serve as a throwback to the police films of the 1970’s and early 1980’s and I don’t know why, but I dig that retro feel when I play this one. Either way, for a long time this was one my favorite games to play for all the reasons I made mention of a moment ago, but this franchise wasn’t done pushing the proverbial envelope when it comes to gaming, and the next entry in this saga was about to take Sonny’s story to some supremely taboo and dark places…   

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