Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine

Adventure Gamers Rejoice

With adventure games abandoned by the majors, and high-profile indie projects few and far between, fans of the genre find the pickings meager. But here's reason for celebration: a big, well-executed game that feels like a cross between Monkey Island and Leisure Suit Larry, with the sort of humor adventure gamers learned to love from Infocom and Lucasarts but is now almost entirely lacking on the gaming landscape.

You play the eponymous Al Emmo, a schlubby 40-something guy who comes to a remote desert town in pursuit of a mail-order bride who ditches him when his lack of ready cash becomes apparent. But not to fear, Al quickly falls for another woman who is tied up with the mystery, naturally, of the Lost Dutchman's mine--a mystery unfortunately better suited to the talents of an Indian Jones that this game's nerdy anti-hero.

Some tips: If you're not finding what you're looking for, talk to the characters in the scene repeatedly. Sometimes, what you need from them doesn't emerge in the first dialog. Also, the cursors are fairly large, and sometimes it's difficult to be sure that you're clicking on a small object; note that the cursors each have a white dot at upper left. Position that over the object before clicking.

We've included the walkthrough of the demo with the demo installer; if you're a purist, you can always delete it.

The developer says:

Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine is a classic-style graphical adventure game for the PC. In pursuit of unrequited love and inconceivable fortune, a feeble, middle-aged easterner named Al Emmo embarks on a perilous journey into the untamed desert valley of Anozira. Unprepared for the harsh elements (and even harsher residents) that await him, Al's only respite comes in the form of a beautiful local woman, Rita Peralto, who is also the object of every other man's affections. Al soon discovers that Rita is inexplicably linked to a centuries-old mystery involving an ancient gold mine--the location of which has been lost to the ages! There are also rumors of a horrific curse lingering within the mine's dank depths, waiting to lay claim to any mortal foolish enough to venture inside in search of its riches...

With imaginative and memorable characters, laugh-out-loud dialogue, a captivating storyline, and a breathtaking illustrated world, "Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine" will enchant anyone longing for an adventure game reminiscent of the celebrated classics of yesteryear.

Features

• Classic-style adventure game
  
• Hand-painted graphics
  
• Over 25 fully-voiced characters
  
• Wickedly wild western wisecracks
  
• Booty-licious, buxom babes
  
• 3D cutscenes
  

Reviews

"Let's just say that Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine has been well worth the wait. It was clearly created by people who play and love adventure games as much as we do. Al Emmo promises to deliver a bit of that classic magic we've been missing."
   - Adventure Gamers

"When this game releases, you must run-do not walk-to wherever it's being sold and buy it!"
   - Four Fat Chicks

"I had a great time playing Al Emmo. The game looks gorgeous, tells an engaging story, has fantastic voiceovers and will have you in stitches at some of its many outrageously funny moments. It’s hard to avoid clichés sometimes: Al Emmo is solid gold. Go play it. You won’t regret it."
   - Just Adventure

"Fantastic humor, outstanding writing, and fabulous old-school graphics make this game a must for every adventure collection. Do not let this one pass you by."
   - 96/100, Adventure Lantern