Description

"Policenauts" is a cinematic adventure game developed by Konami and directed by Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the 'Metal Gear' series. Initially released in 1994 for the PC-9821, it later made its way to platforms including the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn; despite plans and a nearly completed version, it was never officially released for the Panasonic 3DO. The game is set in a futuristic scenario where humanity has colonized space, specifically a space colony called "Beyond Coast." The protagonist, Jonathan Ingram, is one of the original "Policenauts"—space police officers—who accidentally drifts into space during a routine patrol and is miraculously discovered alive in his cryosleep capsule 25 years later. Returning to a much-changed world, Ingram delves into a complex investigation following the mysterious disappearance of his ex-wife, encountering a deeper conspiracy involving drug trafficking, organ harvesting, and rampant corruption.

The gameplay in "Policenauts" combines traditional point-and-click adventure mechanics with visual novel elements and occasional first-person shooter sections. Players interact with various environments and characters, gather clues, and solve puzzles to progress the story. Unique to Kojima’s style, the game features rich narrative depth, detailed backstories, and well-developed characters, pushing forward the boundaries of storytelling in video games. The soundtrack, composed by Tappi Iwase, also received critical acclaim for enhancing the cinematic quality of the game. Although "Policenauts" was never released on the 3DO, its legacy persists as one of Kojima's lesser-known yet intricate narratives that predates and influences later works like the more globally recognized "Metal Gear Solid" series.