Most online multiplayer games have not tread far beyond the fantasy role playing genre. But Modus Operandi is not your typical online game: it relies more on Dashiell Hammett and James M. Cain than Gary Gygax or Frank Frazzetta. There are no scantily clad magic users named Ursula, Queen of the Half-Elves. There are no dungeons to explore, no treasure to be found.
Instead, Modus Operandi players must rely on their wits and deductive reasoning to get ahead. Available on America Online, Prodigy, and Genie, the text-based, multiplayer game is set on the Þctional island of Morada, a place full of shady characters and tropical corruption. After creating a character to inhabit (selecting height, hair and eye color, age, name) and assuming an occupation (ranging from retired cop to paranormal investigator), players wander around the vast island, solving various crimes as they occur. Luckily, the incident rate is sky high. In my Þrst few hours, I had exorcised a church, returned a stolen ancient Bible to the local library, and even hunted down a few of Morada's most wanted criminal minds.
Developed by Simutronics (creators of the online hit GemStone), Modus Operandi creates a highly detailed fantasy world. There are hundreds of buildings to explore, dozens of crimes to solve, and plenty of social activity. What's more, the island keeps expanding, with new areas to þesh out, new characters both real and computer-generated to speak with, and new features to add to the atmosphere. If you're in need of a clue, computer-generated characters can help. You can chat with human players and team up for creative crime-solving.
When you get tired of busting bad guys, there's always a party going on in the Balmour House Hotel or high-stakes gambling at the Pirate's Casino. If you visit the casino, be sure and stop by the craps table and say Hello to Hank.
Modus Operandi: free on AOL, Prodigy, and Genie; Keyword: modus. Simutronics Corp.: email modusmgr@aol.com, on the Web at pathfinder.com/twep/games/modop/.
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Tropical Island Intrigue
