Sleuth: a Murder Mystery

Sleuth: A Murder Mystery is a classic detective game that puts the player in the role of an investigator trying to solve a murder through questioning suspects, examining clues and piecing together contradictory information. Rather than relying on arcade reflexes, the game rewards careful observation and logical deduction. Each case can require you to determine who had the motive, who had the opportunity and which apparently innocent details are actually important. Its simple presentation leaves plenty of room for the central mystery, making it an early example of computer gaming focused almost entirely on investigation. Sleuth is particularly interesting because it turns the player into the detective rather than simply providing a story about one. If you have always wanted to accuse someone dramatically, this is your chance.

“Sleuth is an interactive murder mystery. As a game of Sleuth begins, a murder has just been committed. It is your job to explore the house (which is displayed on the screen), to question the houseguests for their alibis, and to locate both the murder weapon and the scene of the murder. The challenge of Sleuth is to solve the crime, gather all of the suspects together, and accuse the guilty party before the killer becomes suspicious of your investigation and eliminates you from the game.” - Nordland Software