Prologue is the first game in the freeware Fedora Spade episodic detective
adventure series. Released simultaneously with the second episode, Fedora
Spade: The Red Ring, it is quite short with about half an hour of gameplay and
generally acts as an introduction to the series to familiarize the player with
the gameplay mechanics. The game has menu-driven gameplay, inspired by the NES
8-bit classics Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom and Portopia Renzoku
Satsujin Jiken, but also with elements and humour from the more recent
Gyakuten Saiban series or Snatcher.

The player takes control of the hard-boiled homicide detective Fedora Spade
who, between bourbons and cigarettes, tries to lead the department, as it was
the only viable alternative next to flipping burgers. Armed with cynicism and
brilliant insight during the few lucid moments, he has to solve cases to avoid
having all funding withdrawn from the unit. The interface is divided into a
graphical area where locations, characters and items are shown, a list of
commands (move, look, talk, take, use and syst) and a dialogue screen at the
bottom.

In Prologue , Spade needs to investigate the death of doctor Sandy Fabulous.
There are only a few 3 locations to visit, 3 characters, and a few items to
collect. Most of the game is spent interrogating suspect Mr. Excellente. Spade
can talk to the suspect, review notes, transcripts, clues and evidence, and
then try to lean on the suspect using the appropriate item. Most of the
dialogue mixes cynicism with over-the-top emotions and outbursts, as assistant
and aspiring detective Baldie manages to ruin all classic rules of detective
conduct.

The game uses the Tomato engine, developed by Paul Eres in Game Maker.

Fedora Spade: Prologue