Christine then discovers the seized evidence was in fact counterfeit, and that Joe has stashed the real loot somewhere in the city. Fueled by distain for his so-called partner, and a burning desire to reunite with his wife, he escapes only to be caught, incarcerated and condemned to an indefinite all-inclusive stay at the notorious Alcatraz prison. It is therefore such a shame that 1954 Alcatraz fails to maintain the pace it sets itself so early on.Īfter being used as a scapegoat during a heist by unscrupulous North Beach gangster Mickey, getaway driver Joe takes the fall for the entire crime and is sent to Leavenworth county jail.

From hereon in the rest is up to me as I uncover what I can from the cast I expect to meet constantly filling in the narrative blanks, constantly living between the lines.Ĭhristine’s sullen eyes convey the game’s ambitious opening I’m now well invested in the couple’s relationship - a somewhat turbulent marriage - and their beatnik lifestyles, but I’m not just controlling the characters, I’m becoming them. I’ve so far been promptly introduced to the heroes and their backstories, and I’ve been shown the system for which I’ll use to unearth the rest of their tale - in this case, in true Daedalic fashion, a typically straightforward one: left click to talk or grab right click to look or inspect mouse wheel to access the inventory. I’m only 15 minutes into Daedalic and Irresponsible Games’ 1954 Alcatraz and I feel personally attached to husband and wife protagonist duo Christine and Joe Lyons, so much so I’m beginning to fill in the blanks with my own interpretations something any good point and click adventure should aim to do. I need to get Joe off that goddamn island. Why didn’t he tell me about the money? And why did he get into bed with that slime ball wise guy Mickey? It’s up to me now.

The moon twinkles beyond the ominous barred window that overlooks the Bay. Jazz music echoes from a gramophone in the adjoining room. I do whatever I gotta do to get ahead - I’m faithful to my husband, but I ain’t no square, you dig? As the detective reads my charge sheet aloud, cigarette smoke hangs thick in the air. Like most of the cats in this town, though, Grassi’s into me - all I’m facing is a slap on the wrists. He’s doing life on The Rock, and here I am hauled in front on the blues for breaking and entering. As I stare at Detective Grassi from across his cluttered desk, all I can think about is Joe.

Alcatraz forge empires