Insecticide
Preview
Get ready for the Insecticide Division
by Howie Howard
previewed on PC
Action adventure (cntd)
Insecticide is a combination of detective and mystery-solving neatly wrapped in one package. It’s mainly an adventure game but it also has a bunch of platform action elements spread equally throughout it. When you finish an adventuring element an action sequence that needs to be accomplished will follow. The adventure parts consist mainly of doing detective work like finding clues that are needed to progress in the story. The action parts are where you have to chase a suspect, escape from an enemy or kill them. The developers have limited the character inventory instead the player has to find the various items needed to solve the different puzzles in the section that is being worked on.
Insecticide Division
When you first enter Insecticide you assume the persona of rookie detective Chrys Listz. Veteran bug detective Roachy Caruthers accompanies Chrys on her exciting mystery solving adventure. Yes, you heard correct. Chrys and Roachy are bugs or rather insects if you prefer. Remember that Insecticide is a Sci-fi adventure that takes place in a world where humans no longer exist as the dominant species. In this game the insects are at the top of the food chain and the humans – or rather hominids as the game calls them – are simply present to be stepped on. I say, what a turn of events that is! The insects rule the world and the humans live in the sewers. The premise certainly does make for some very funny and comic situations so the game has a lighthearted side to it as well.
You can only control Chrys while Roachy serves as kind of a walking encyclopedia and information bank. Both Chrys and Roachy are attached to the former human city of Troi’s Insecticide Division (instead of Homicide Division). The game makes many references to 1960’s pop culture as it takes you through this murder mystery that involves oddly enough, an insect soft drink called Nectarola. In fact Insecticide tries very hard to project a pop noir feel or flair and it succeeds very nicely. Throw in some powerful insect weapons with names like pollinator, nectar cannon and amberizer and you have the makings of a real smashing affair!
As you go about your business in this unique and interesting game you can expect to see that grumpy old police chief that seems to always inhabit stories like this. Everybody’s favorite stake out is present along with a good car chase. And various enemies such as walking sticks, ants, beetles, chiggers and my all time favorite, the infernally evil grub are all there for the killing!
Strap on your gun
Folks, like I mentioned before this one will be coming our way during Q3 of 2008. I can’t wait to strap on my detective’s 38 special revolver and police man’s badge and start pointing and clicking my way through this very good looking murder mystery action adventure. Can insects really just “strap” on a gun and pin on a badge? Wouldn’t that hurt? Well now, don’t expect me to tell you everything. You will have to play Insecticide yourself to find out!
