Lost New York

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs

GAME DESIGNER:Neil DeMause
GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware
GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware
Copyright 1996, Neil DeMause

Neil DeMause’s excellent IF casts you as the hapless tourist visiting New York who suddenly finds him/herself transported to various times in the city’s history. Meeting historical characters and learning fascinating facts about NY’s past are only side benefits– you’ll face many clever puzzles, some of which are obscure, on your way to changing history.

Although short on big, meaningful save-the-world plot (most of the time you’re not even sure what you’re supposed to be doing aside from solving various unrelated puzzles), Lost New York is long on ambience — and what an ambience it is! Every epoch in the city’s history is well-written and realistic (as the game’s lengthy bibliography can attest), and even the parser takes on the unmistakable New York mentality– it will sneer, laughs and positively make fun of your frantic efforts to solve puzzles (for fun, try swearing at anything or assaulting someone). Although the “big picture” is never clear, you will find yourself too immersed in the game to care. Without a doubt, one of the most well-realized geography ever seen in a game, and you’ll find yourself unwittingly learning about the city’s checkered history while enjoying the atmosphere. Two thumbs up!