Post Mortem (video game)
{{short description|2002 murder mystery adventure video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Post Mortem
| image = File:postmortembox.jpg
| caption = European cover art
| developer = Microids
| publisher = {{vgrelease|EU|Microids|NA|The Adventure Company
DreamCatcher Interactive}}
| designer = Stéphane Brochu
| engine = Virtools
| released = {{vgrelease|FRA|November 13, 2002{{cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/pc/00009795-post-mortem.htm |title=Post Mortem |language=fr |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |accessdate=November 13, 2024 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512215143/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/pc/00009795-post-mortem.htm |archivedate=May 12, 2023 |url-status=live}}|NA|February 28, 2003{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/28/post-mortem-ships |title=Post Mortem Ships |author=Steve Butts |date=February 28, 2003 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=November 13, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512215141/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/28/post-mortem-ships |archivedate=May 12, 2023 |url-status=live}}|EU|March 7, 2003}}
| genre = Adventure
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = Windows
}}
Post Mortem is a murder mystery adventure game by Microids, released in 2002. Its sequels are Still Life and Still Life 2. The game was also released in French, Italian, German and Spanish.{{cite web |url=http://www.microids.com/EN/store/post-mortem,70 |title=Post Mortem |website=Microids |accessdate=September 15, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915114206/http://www.microids.com/EN/store/post-mortem,70 |archivedate=September 15, 2017 |url-status=dead}}
Gameplay
File:Postmortemscreen1.jpg showing the game's main character, Gustav McPherson, in the bar at the Alambic Bistro.]]
Post Mortem uses a first-person player view and a point and click user interface, using only the mouse for control. This slightly differs in its sequel, Still Life, however as it is a third person game.
Different cursors appear over portions of the screen to show the player what will happen when it is clicked on.
Gus' notebook is used to collate both the menu system of the game and the place to view documents obtained within the game.
Development history
Microids developed and completed Post Mortem in ten months using Virtools Dev. An in-house team of 27 people created the game. This included 8 graphic artists, 5 animators and 6 programmers.{{cite web |url=http://www.virtools.com/applications/games-microidspm.asp |title=Post Mortem Adventure Game |website=Virtools |accessdate=September 19, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313021140/http://www.virtools.com/applications/games-microidspm.asp |archivedate=March 13, 2008 |url-status=dead}} To ensure the game had variety and no linear storyline, Microïds used a software called "Natural Dialog Engine".{{cite web |url=https://gamezone.com/news/micro_ds_post_mortem_shaping_up/ |title=Microids' Post Mortem Shaping Up! |website=GameZone |date=September 26, 2002 |accessdate=February 22, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627160421/http://pc.gamezone.com/news/09_26_02_10_07AM.htm |archivedate=June 27, 2008 |url-status=live}} Post Mortem was later followed by a spin-off series, Still Life, which has currently produced two games. On September 19, 2008 a new Still Life series website was opened, covering the three games.
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Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/post-mortem/ |title=Post Mortem |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |accessdate=November 13, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113032200/https://www.metacritic.com/game/post-mortem/ |archivedate=November 13, 2024 |url-status=live}}
| AdvGamers = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17557 |title=Post Mortem Review |author=Evan Dickens |date=January 27, 2003 |website=Adventure Gamers |accessdate=November 13, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814193134/https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17557 |archivedate=August 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}
| CGW = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_227/page/n93/mode/2up |title=Post Mortem |author=Denice Cook |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=227 |date=June 2003 |page=90 |accessdate=November 13, 2024}}
| EPD = 6.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=10257#mr_toppy |title=Post Mortem |author=Jason MacIsaac |date=December 8, 2002 |website=The Electric Playground |publisher=Greedy Productions |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803083217/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=10257#mr_toppy |archivedate=August 3, 2003 |url-status=dead}}
| GameRev = C−{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32924-post-mortem-review |title=Post Mortem Review |author=Johnny Liu |date=March 2003 |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |accessdate=February 23, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924055824/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/post-mortem |archivedate=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}
| GSpot = 6.7/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/post-mortem-review/1900-2911836/ |title=Post Mortem Review |author=Ron Dulin |date=February 28, 2003 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |accessdate=November 13, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615075757/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/post-mortem-review/1900-2911836/ |archivedate=June 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/post-mortem/5649p1.html |title=GameSpy: Post Mortem |author=Allen Rausch |date=March 1, 2003 |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |accessdate=February 22, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101133853/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/post-mortem/5649p1.html |archivedate=November 1, 2005 |url-status=dead}}
| Gamezebo = 70/100{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/post-mortem-review/ |title=Post Mortem Review |author=Scott Steinberg |date=January 7, 2009 |website=Gamezebo |accessdate=November 13, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125150/https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/post-mortem-review/ |archivedate=March 5, 2024 |url-status=live}}
| PCGUS = 40%{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/post_mortem.html |title=Post Mortem |author=Jeff Leclerc |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Future US |volume=10 |issue=5 |date=May 2003 |page=70 |accessdate=February 22, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315141514/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/post_mortem.html |archivedate=March 15, 2006 |url-status=dead}}
| XPlay = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3422001,00.html |title='Post Mortem' (PC) Review |author=Skyler Miller |date=March 28, 2003 |website=X-Play |publisher=TechTV |accessdate=February 23, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030401131149/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3422001,00.html |archivedate=April 1, 2003 |url-status=dead}}
| rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}{{cite news |url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/010703_febgames.html |title=February's new games will keep fans fired up |author=Marc Saltzman |date=February 4, 2003 |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |publisher=Gannett Company |accessdate=February 22, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030807190632/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/010703_febgames.html |archivedate=August 7, 2003 |url-status=dead}}
}}
The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. The Cincinnati Enquirer gave it a favorable review about a month before the game was released Stateside.
According to Microïds, the game and its successor, Still Life, were commercial successes. The publisher reported combined global sales for the series above 500,000 units by September 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.microids.com/fr/presse/17/microids-annonce-l-ouverture-du-site-officiel-de-la-serie-still-life.html |title=Microïds annonce l'ouverture du site officiel de la série Still Life |language=fr |website=Microïds |date=September 19, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603202537/http://www.microids.com/fr/presse/17/microids-annonce-l-ouverture-du-site-officiel-de-la-serie-still-life.html |archivedate=June 3, 2009 |url-status=dead}}
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030150159/http://www.microids.com/en/catalogue/14/post-mortem-the-white-case.html Post Mortem] at Microïds
- {{moby game|id=/7823/post-mortem/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Post Mortem (Video Game)}}
Category:Detective video games
Category:First-person adventure games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Still Life (video game series)
Category:The Adventure Company games
Category:Video games developed in France
Category:Video games set in Paris