Most point and click games are meant to be adventure based titles. The main goal is to search for this and find that to advance the plot and/or hopefully beat a specific stage. That’s why, for this example, we chose a classic title known as The Secret of Monkey Island. While there have been updated versions of this classic title, we’re using the original 1990 version to better explain how a point and click works. Plus, we’ll dive into why you should play this amazing classic.
1. The Secret of Monkey Island
- System/Platform: Amiga, Atari ST, CDTV, FM Towns, Classic Mac OS, MS-DOS, Sega CD
- Publisher: Lucasfilm Games
- Developer: Lucasfilm Games
- Release Date: Oct, 1990
Guybrush Threepwood has always wanted to live the life of a pirate. Thus, Guybrush sets off on a dangerous journey towards an island known as Melee Island where he is told a man could become a pirate. However, for the young Guybrush to obtain the title of pirate, he must survive several tough challenges set before him by the island’s pirate leaders. With his hopes unwavering, Guybrush gladly accepts his tasks and sets off on a grand journey. What trials and tribulations await Guybrush Threepwood? Find out in The Secret of Monkey Island.
Back in the early 90s, Lucasfilm Games—a side studio from the famous Lucasfilm studios responsible for movies like Star Wars—created a ton of point and click games. However, for many, one of their best titles was The Secret of Monkey Island. Here, players controlled a young pirate wannabe and had to scour an island in search of where to go and what to do next. Most quests in The Secret of Monkey Island required players to use a system of commands like pick up or talk to, which allowed them to advance the story by meeting random NPCs and finding items which in turn helped Guybrush get that much closer to his dream of becoming a pirate. What helped this seemingly simple game was a fantastic story with amazing writing and tons of comedy something most point and click adventure games from the yesteryear needed to make them memorable in this more modern age of gaming. If you want the best example of classic point and click at its finest, then we fully recommend The Secret of Monkey Island.
Easily one of the reasons any game is considered point and click is because that’s quite literally what you’re doing while playing. Gamers don’t use fancy controllers and/or keyboards—though some newer games do—but instead, use their mouse to click on something and repeat the process a couple hundred times. You might argue that seems like a boring way to play a game but in reality, it makes for a game that almost anyone can play and enjoy regardless of their gaming skill level. In this case, we took two very different games in the form of The Black Mirror and Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars to better explain why regardless of the genre—The Black Mirror is a point and click horror game while Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars is a mystery adventure title—anyone could easily just access these games and have no need for lengthy tutorials or difficult controls.
2. The Black Mirror
- System/Platform: PC
- Publisher: The Adventure Games (NA), Future Games (CZE), GMX Media (UK)
- Developer: Future Games
- Release Date: Feb 2003
In The Back Mirror, players assume the role of Samuel Gordon who hurries home after news reaches him of his grandfather William Gordon’s untimely death. Most of the residents of Black Mirror—the Gordon family mansion—have ruled William’s death to be an unexpected suicide but as Samuel begins to notice, there are other clues that prove this to be anything but a normal suicide. Samuel must now dive into the twisted world his grandfather was exploring and will learn of the curse that has plagued the Gordon family for generations. Can Samuel survive the curse—something William couldn’t—or will he be the next in line to meet a gruesome death?
The Black Mirror—which was recently remade—is a pure example of using a mouse to its fullest. As players control Samuel, they must explore the mansion and various other locations to find clues and solve the mysterious surrounding Samuel’s grandfather. To accomplish said task, you’ll find yourself clicking on NPCs, various objects and even puzzles to solve them. The horror element comes from the creepy tale surrounding The Black Mirror and some clever themes that appear mid game which we won’t spoil for those who might want to try The Black Mirror out. While The Black Mirror may be a pretty simple game in design—even with the point and click mechanics—don’t expect Samuel’s story to be a simple one to beat as there are tons of things that may or may not happen in game while playing The Black Mirror.
3. Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars
- System/Platform: PC, Mac OS, PS1, GBA, Palm OS, Windows Mobile
- Publisher: Virgin Interactive Entertainment, SCEE, THQ, BAM! Entertainment, Astraware
- Developer: Revolution Software, Astraware (Palm OS)
- Release Date: Sept 30, 1996
A recent terrorist attack has just occurred in Paris and two strangers are the only means of figuring out who did it. George Stobbart—one of the witnesses—was only visiting Paris as a tourist and saw what appeared to be a clown dressed man he feels was responsible for the explosion. Teaming up with a journalist named Nicole Collard, the two begin to search for clues that may reveal what transpired before the attack and who actually did it. However, can these two find the clues in time to stop another attack or will they fail and Paris will be hit with an even bigger attack?
Our last example comes in the form of a 1996 game known as Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars. Even though its been 21 years since the first Broken Sword game—the one we are discussing just so happens to be the first title—Broken Sword continues to release even today showing how much fans love the stories within. Nevertheless, Broken Sword: Shadows of the Templars has players interacting with various areas in Paris as they try to solve the mystery on who performed the terrorist attack and why. Of course, this is where the point and click mechanic is utilized as players will hover over various objects on different locations to pick up items, examine them and even talk to a slew of characters who will help George and Nicole solve the case. What’s appealing about the Broken Sword games is that they have a T for Teen rating meaning teenage to adult gamers can enjoy the wonderful tales in each game—especially Broken Sword: Shadows of the Templar—and not have to worry about complex controls or overused quick time events most modern-day games use too frequently.
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Author: Aaron
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