Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion

## Source

***Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion*** (subtitled *Mystery Series: Episode One* and alternatively known as ***Clue Chronicles Episode 1: The Fatal Masque***) is a Windows point-and-click adventure game based on the Clue franchise, known as Cluedo in the United Kingdom and Europe. It is a reinterpretation and adaption of the *Clue* board game as an adventure game including many of the original characters. The game was distributed with a variety of covers, each featuring a different murder weapon.

## Description

> Welcome to The Fatal Illusion, Episode 1 of the Cluedo Chronicles Mystery Series; an expansive, richly detailed world where you actually solve the crime.
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> It's New Year's Eve 1938. On board the private yacht of the wealthy and eccentric Ian Masque, you find yourself part of a "*select*" group of guests invited to attend an "*unusual*" New Years Eve party. During the voyage Mr. Masque dies mysteriously and everyone is a suspect.
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> Who could have done it?
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> It's up to you to find the evidence and unravel the true story behind this crime. There are puzzles to solve and mini-mysteries to unlock if you are to catch the murderer. Get ready for a totally engaging mystery adventure that is sure to keep you entertained from the opening scene to the exciting cliffhanging climax.
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> **Game Features** - Quick set up. - Evolving storyline plays out in 4 acts. - Red herrings, minor mysteries & puzzles. - 20 solid hours of gameplay.
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> **Fantastic life-like 3-D animation**
> Clue Chronicles Fatal Illusion takes players to the next level with rich 3-D animation and stunning graphics. Sweeping backgrounds come to life with expert detail so that every scene is an incredibly realistic 360° gaming experience.
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> **Story unfolds in 3 unique setting:**
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> * Inside the dark foreboding mountaintop castle retreat.
> * On board The Rhine Maiden, Mr. Masque's strange private yacht.
> * Hanging high above the ground during a thrilling cable car ride.
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>  - Source: Back of Keep Case
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## Plot

The game is set on New Year's Eve 1938, when the player is invited aboard the *Rhine Maiden* yacht for a trip to the mountaintop retreat of eccentric and mysterious German millionaire Ian Masque to see his collection of Egyptian artifacts. Masque meets his fate from a poisoned puzzle box, and the player is tasked with finding the murderer. The game's plot includes an Egyptian curse and Nazi spy rings.

The storyline plays out in four acts in three settings (in a castle, aboard the *Rhine Maiden* and on a cable car). New characters join the original cast of six characters. The game has a cliffhanger ending, which led players to expect a sequel.

## Cast and characters

* Miss Scarlet (Miss Scarlett in UK) (Voiced by Glennis McClellan): Scarlet had some kind of career acting, first in the West End, then to Hollywood. But apparently her chance at the big-time career slipped alway from her, and she is mostly known Ň if at all Ň for her work in a series of B-pictures. She is beautiful, but is she talented?

* Colonel Mustard (Voiced by Chris Brailsford): Colonel Mustard held major commands in the First World War and, earlier, in Africa. His exemplary leadership was tainted with the accusations of profiteering that hit the tabloids at the end of the war. Rumor has it that any "profits" he stashes away have long since been consumed by his expensive lifestyle.

* Mrs. White (Voiced by Philippa Howell): Mrs. White has had a long career as a nanny and maid, working for a number of high-profile families where discretion is valued almost as much as the necessary skills. Like most women who have worked at her craft, she has little, if anything, to show for it.

* Mr. Green (Reverend Green in UK) (Voiced by ): Mr. Green lost his family fortune in the great crash and, from all reports, has been struggling to keep up appearances ever since. Though he looks and acts the aristocrat, rumor has it that he is desperate for something, anything to turn around his financial life.

* Ms. Peacock (Voiced by Tanya Myers): Mrs. Peacock left London after being involved in a messy romantic triangle with key political figures. Fleeing to America, the papers there reported on her affair with a businessman who was shot by his wife. Now she's back -- but is she just looking for more fun?

* Professor Plum (Voiced by Gerry Kearsey): Professor Plum, formerly the Curator of the Egyptian Wing of the British Museum, published a series of articles in the Sunday London Times, which caused quite a stir. He claimed that there are major unexplained holes in the Egyptian historical record -- holes that he believes will be filled by major discoveries still to come.

* Ian Masque (Voiced by Chris Brailsford): Little is known about Masque except that he owns the amazing chateau built atop the alpine mountain -- scene of this New Year's Eve party, 1938. He is rumored to be fabulously wealthy with an interest, and even a belief, in the supernatural.

* Marina Popov (Voiced by Philippa Howell): Popov, a beautiful Russian expatriate, is a trained hypnotist. Popov participated in the Soviet Union's notorious experiments in ESP. It would take a mind reader to know why she is here at Masque's party.

* Dr. Julia Kell (Voiced by Miranda Lunskar Nielsen): Kell is a German psychiatrist, one who obviously felt comfortable remaining in the Third Reich. Does she, in fact, work for the German government? There is no evidence that points to that yet.

* Martin Urfe (Voiced by Chris Brailsford): Martin Urfe is the heir to the busted Kent 'fortune' of Bloodworth Estates. He is also an accomplished amateur magician. Urge performs his elaborate (and impressive) illusions for his wealthy friends, including the host of the party -- Ian Masque.

* Sabata (Voiced by Luis Soto): This single-named Spanish artist's hallucinogenic paintings are world famous. Ian Masque has acquired a lot of Sabata's most bizarre works. His behavior is eccentric, often even irrational -- as befits an artist.

## Development

Clue was "riding a new wave of popularity", and *Fatal Illusion* was intended to be the first installment of a series of three Clue Chronicles mysteries. However, the series was cancelled when "Hasbro folded and EAI quit the gaming business".

Unlike its predecessors, *Clue Chronicles* "leaves the board game 'feel' behind and transforms into a murder mystery adventure game". The *Boston Herald* called it a "grown-up" twist on the franchise's familiar theme. Care was taken in rendering the location backgrounds, "even down to the moving reflections in the shiny hallway floor of the mansion". The game promised "new and soon-to-be-memorable characters", inspiring anticipation that it would expand beyond the original board game. Although the game's voice-over is only available in English, its text was translated into Castilian Spanish. All versions contain three game discs, and a patch was later released to fix its many bugs.

Designer Matthew J. Costello said that he "didn't really become a game designer ... as much as a writer" as he worked on the *Clue Chronicles* series. Its music was composed by George Alistair Sanger.

A *Boston Herald* reviewer called the game "difficult" and "frustrating", but said that help is available on the Web. According to the Arlington Heights, Illinois *Daily Herald*, it "has an online hint system".

## Gameplay

*Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion* is a first-person, 3D-perspective, point-and-click adventure game with gameplay typical of the genre, totaling about 20 hours. It "plays like a traditional CD-ROM adventure game with a mystery theme". The game is controlled with a mouse, with its pointer changing when the player can perform an action, grab an object or walk around. Selecting a character calls up a notebook with a list of questions to ask. They are checked off and new topics appear as the conversation progresses. The main menu accesses suspect biographies and game options, saving and loading. Inventory can be manipulated (or inspected) at the bottom of the screen, and a clue option gives novice players hints. Puzzles include riddles and abstract challenges to obtain gems, a maze, and limited inventory-based puzzles. The game requires the player to interview suspects to gain insight into solving puzzles, which reveal vital objects or clues.

## Critical reception

The German magazine *PC Player* gave *Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion* a score of 62 out of 100, praising the reproduction of the "enjoyable short conversations" in the "excellent" German-language edition. According to the review, its puzzles were "varied" and relatively easy; if the player is not an "amateur detective", they could "reject this case". The magazine criticized "the imprecise mouse control, the lengthy walks, as well as the homespun presentation". *Computer Games Magazine* gave the game a score of 60 out of 100, calling it "average", "[not] particularly enjoyable" but "not painful to play". *Metzomagic* gave the game 2.5 stars out of 5, calling it "quite an enjoyable little mystery" with entertaining puzzles but criticizing the game's graphical glitches and bugs, shortness and "failure to capitalise on all the potential". *Tap-Repeatedly* found *Fatal Illusion*}} backgrounds and locations "richly detailed" and the puzzles "logical and fun", but the interface was "cumbersome", the music "repetitive" and the voice acting like it was read "from a script into a microphone in the conference room". Giving the game a score of 80 out of 100, the website concluded: "Overall, despite its many flaws, Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion was a fun game to play, if too short". Game Power rated it two out of four, noting that the game played as if the creators used *Adventure Games For Dummies* as a template. The Russian website *NQuest* gave it a score of 74 out of 100: "With good graphics and a good detective story the game has the best traditions of the genre: the murder, collecting evidence, and questioning suspects". Blogger Do. Lloret de Mar was ambivalent to the game's 3D graphics, animations, music and special effects, noting its "interesting puzzles" and shortness. According to the Cluedo fansite Cluedofan, it was "packed with puzzles" and a "beautifully designed adventure game" with "animated 3D characters" and "fantastic cut scenes". The French website 01Net said that the adaptation of the Cluedo board game was "much more successful" than Hasbro's "first failed attempt"; another French website, Pabbajita, called it a "very conventional game". GameFreaks liked the game's concept, but not its execution. Adventure Point gave *Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion* 3.5 stars, calling it "a surprisingly enjoyable, if short, detective game with some decent puzzles". According to the *Boston Herald*, the "visually rewarding" game had "glossy animation" and "detailed, sepia-toned interiors" but its compelling characters "move ... rather like puppets". The *Herald* later recommended the game in "Games fit everyone's gift list", calling it "convoluted" and perfect for "mystery lovers".

Bob Mandel of the Adrenaline Vault described the game as a "mystery novel with tons of unexpected twists and turns", calling it "a noble and clever expansion" which "involves much more penetrating, complex, and, ultimately, riveting detective work". Jenny Guenther of Just Adventure wrote that the board-game adaption exceeded expectations; the story was "surprisingly tightly plotted", and she graded the "logical", "fun" and "short" game a C. The Hungarian review site PlayDome praised the game's surroundings, lack of simple solutions and general excitement. However, the Dutch review site Adventure Island felt that the game had drifted from the Cluedo brand. Quandary gave *Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion* a mixed review, praising its playability while noting its shortcomings and calling the game a "short diversionary trip for mystery fans". GameSpot was disappointed by the wasted opportunity for the board game to be adapted into a "fun, engaging computer adventure", with "low production values and unimaginative design". GameSpot UK game the game a rating of 4.3 out of 10, and *Computer Gaming Magazine* rated it three out of five. Gateway deemed it a "charming diversion". *Pelit* called it a mediocre example of the adventure video-game genre, giving it a score of 76 out of 100. The *Daily Herald* called the game a "clunky mystery", noting that it stood out from other mystery titles aimed at younger players by showing dead bodies: "[It] has a fine opening, the music is first rate ... and it keeps you interested in spite of its copious limitations" such as loading at a "geologic" pace, its many bugs and a sub-par instruction manual. Suggesting that the game should have been kept under wraps for a few more months of developmental fine-tuning, the reviewer concluded that "mystery fans may be able to forgive its stilted clunkiness, but let's hope that Episode II is a lot better". The magazine PC Direct criticised the "sluggish" gameplay, but praised an "excellent" characterisation and "lavish" 3D graphics.

## *The Inn at Death's Door*

*Main article: Clue Chronicles: The Inn at Death's Door*

*The Inn at Death's Door* was a four-part, free online mystery prequel to *Fatal Illusion*. The text-based detective mystery mini-series' chapter titles were "Episode One: The Magic Box"; "Episode Two: Chasing the Fox"; "Episode Three: One Death Less, One Death More", and "Episode Four: Race for the Truth". Its premise was "an assortment of eccentric guests gather[ing] at a Swiss inn", wherein a series of mysteries take place. Mystery website Mysterynet.com held a Clue Chronicles Mystery Weekend Contest from November 22 to December 3, 1999, sponsored by site owner Newfront Productions. The contest asked participants to read the four-part story, correctly answer four questions related to the mystery on the online entry form and explain how they solved the case in 500 words or less. The judges, Newfront and MysteryNet staff, selected a winner on January 15, 2000. The prize was a Murder Mystery Weekend for Two at the Austin Hill Inn in West Dover, Vermont. A judges' note accompanied the winning entry:
"*Nearly 1,000 viewers submitted their own solutions to "The Inn at Death's Door". Reading through them was a treat. One of my favorites, from a viewpoint of pure imagination, was Janis Ebrecht's solution involving Hitler and the Duke of Windsor. William Drennan also provided a highly rated entry, the only correct solution to conclude with the patented "Clue" ending (killer, room, weapon). The winner was finally chosen on the basis of accuracy, sticking to the clues as provided, composition and style. Bonus points were given for staying within the 500-word limit. Congratulations to Elizabeth Dupke of Kent, Washington. Her final chapter, reprinted below, has been edited slightly.*"

## Notes

* Some of the character histories would be later reused for the 2002 edition of the *Clue* board game and its related spin-off games (Clue FX, Clue Mysteries, Cluedo DVD, and Cluedo Party).
	+ Mrs. Peacock's affairs and her exile to the United States afterwards.
	+ Colonel Mustard serving in World War I.
	+ Miss Scarlett having an unsuccessful acting career.
	+ Professor Plum being an Egyptologist and a former curator of the British Museum.
	+ Mrs. White working as nanny for high-profile families and being of Scottish descent.

## References

1. ↑ Buckleitner, Warren (March 1, 2001). The Complete Sourcebook on Children's Software (en) Children's Software Revue. ISBN 9781891983054
2. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion - from CDAccess.com. Retrieved on September 10, 2014.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ray, Robin (January 30, 2000). "For whodunit fun, get a 'Clue'; Clue Chronicles Mystery Series Episode 1: The Fatal Illusion". *The Boston Herald*. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-59100211.html.
4. ↑ Hasbro Interactive Unveils "Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion". Multimedia Publisher (December 1, 1999).
5. ↑ Casey, Ryan (February 1, 1999). Clue Chronicles: Episode One: Fatal Illusion.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Young, Rosemary (March 2000). Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Jen (February 1, 2003). Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion Review.
8. ↑ Hasbro Interactive Unveils "Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion". Multimedia Publisher (December 1, 1999).
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lloret de Mar, Do. (August 18, 2000). Cluedo: Crónicas - Series De Misterio No. 1 La Ilusión Mortal.
10. ↑ Lewinski, John Scott (1999-06-01). Developer's Guide to Computer Game Design (en) Wordware Pub.. ISBN 9781556226670
11. ↑ Sanger, George (2003-01-01). The Fat Man on Game Audio: Tasty Morsels of Sonic Goodness (en) New Riders. ISBN 9781592730094
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4  *Software*. Daily Herald. March 13, 2000. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61708501.html.
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13. ↑  *HASBRO INTERACTIVE UNVEILS "CLUE CHRONICLES: FATAL ILLUSION".*. 1999-12-01. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-57619150.html.
14. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (January 2000).
15. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (February 16, 2000).
16. ↑ Mooney, Shane (May 25, 2001). REVIEW: Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (page 1).
17. ↑ Mooney, Shane (May 25, 2001). REVIEW: Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (page 2).
18. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion.
19. ↑ Cluedo & Clue Computer Games.
20. ↑ Google Translate (9 February 2000).
21. ↑ Google Translate.
22. ↑ The Cluedo Chronicles: Fatal Illusion.
23. ↑ Adventure Point.
24. ↑  *For whodunit fun, get a 'Clue'; Clue Chronicles Mystery Series Episode 1: The Fatal Illusion. Hasbro Interactive, $30. Three CD-ROM set for Windows 95/98 3 1/2 stars.(Arts and Lifestyle)*. 30 January 2000. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-59100211.html.
25. ↑  *Games fit everyone's gift list.(Arts and Lifestyle)*. 2000-12-10. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67879664.html.
26. ↑ The Adrenaline Vault review.
27. ↑ Mandel, Bob (January 25, 2000). Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion PC review (page 1).
28. ↑ Guenther, Jenny. Just Adventure review.
29. ↑ Cluedo Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (16 December 1999).
30. ↑ Cluedo Chronicles: Fatal Illusion.
31. ↑ Young, Rosemary (March 2000). Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion.
32. ↑ Smith, Steve (20 March 2000). Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion Review.
33. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion Review.
34. ↑ GameSpot UK review (31 May 2002).
35. ↑ Computer Games Magazine review.
36. ↑ "Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion", *Daily Herald*, 13 March 2000.
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37. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion.
38. ↑ Google Translate (February 2000).
39. ↑ Pelit (February 2000).
40. ↑ Courtney, Martin. "Cluedo Chronicles Fatal Illusions", *PC Direct (UK)*, ZDNet, April 2000.
41. ↑ A 4-part solvable online mystery prequel to Fatal Illusion.
42. ↑ Episode 5: The Solution.
43. ↑ Contest Rules.
44. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion Characters (22 December 2002).
45. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (3 February 2003).
46. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (2002-12-10).
47. ↑ Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion (10 December 2002).

## External links

* *PC Game* review
* *Just Adventure* review
* Review in *The Complete Sourcebook on Children's Literature*
* Game manual
* Tape logs, Audio recordings, and Geoportal video, that can be accessed via the George Sanger Papers

Cluepedia credits this content at Wikipedia for some of the content in this page. The original authors are listed here.
This content's use is dependent on its resumed availability under the CC-BY-SA 3.0 (see Wikia:Licensing for details).