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by David Welbourn

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Dutch Dapper IV: The Final Voyage

by Harry Hol

Humor, Science Fiction
2002

(based on 6 ratings)
2 reviews

About the Story

You play as the great space-time detective Dutch Dapper near the end of his career. Despondent after the events of the prologue, he goes on one last adventure.


Game Details


Awards

Nominee, Best Individual PC - 2002 XYZZY Awards

Editorial Reviews

Brass Lantern
"The prologue and the beginning of the game are pretty good. You're immediately thrown into an adventure by the Mystery Client plot-hook, the writing is humorous, but not in a laborious way, and there are lots of things you can play around with. However, my frustrations began when I saw the inventory limit and all the seemingly pointless objects I could carry around. Come to find out, most of these objects are red herrings that you will never use in the game, and will pick up and drop umpteen times in order to try them on various "alien" puzzles. The responses you get on interacting with some of them are funny, but I think it's a bit of overkill; one or two red herrings aren't that bad, but five thrown in at the very beginning of the game is a little much." (Michael Bechard)
See the full review

IF-Review
Jor Next
"It feels very much like you actually have a Hitchhiker's Guide, filling in some of the details of the culture of the Universe, making comments on the different aliens you see. The writing isn't trying to be literary as much as it wants to be funny, and overall it succeeds at that. There are a few awkward phrases, and one error of the infamous 'it's/its' brand, but overall the humor and lighthearted tone really shine through." (Jessica Knoch)
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SPAG
"On the whole, I found 'Dutch Dapper IV' a pleasant and entertaining way to spend an hour and a half. Once you're done, you can play with the long Amusing list, and read synopses of the first three Dutch Dapper adventures, in case you missed them. (Since they are either in Dutch or nonexistent, it's pretty likely that you did.)" (Emily Short)
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Member Reviews

5 star:
(1)
4 star:
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3 star:
(3)
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Average Rating:
Number of Reviews: 2
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
A cute, puzzle-filled romp nostalgic of a Douglas Adams game, September 7, 2012
by Bernie (Fredericksburg, VA)

In this jaunty romp, you play a space hero/detective investigating a mysterious letter. You must solve a series of puzzles in order to meet your contact, who will presumably take you to the person who has hired you for the investigation. The author mentions in 'about' that he was heavily influenced by Douglas Adams, and portions of the game are a clear reference to the old infocom Hitchhiker's game. However, the game is far from derivative and the jokes throughout are fresh and entertaining.

Likewise, the puzzles are goofy, but sensible in the context of the game. They are also easily solvable with a bit of patience and exploring, but challenging enough to be interesting. The game does feature an inventory limit. However, the author also includes the command 'objects' which will list where all the moveable objects you have interacted with are currently located, which lessens the frustration of dropping inventory objects as you juggle them.

The only real drawback of the game was a few of the parser responses when I was trying to solve one of the puzzles, which made me wonder whether I was trying the correct solution and just hadn't found the correct verb. (As it turned out, I was attempting the wrong action.) I also got a bit frustrated when the game seemed to disallow a certain logical solution to a puzzle for no reason. (Spoiler - click to show)I really thought I should have been able to stand on the stove, but the game just tells me 'There's no need to refer to that in the course of the game.' Likewise, it tells me that the work-top is not something I can stand on. However, being a vertically challenged soul, I have proved otherwise in my own home on numerous occasions.

Overall, the game is highly recommended. I'm thrilled that I happened to stumble upon it on someone else's recommended list and I hope the author writes the sequel as promised.

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A short-to-mid-length sic fi game like a saturday morning cartoon of Star Wars, February 3, 2016

Dutch Dapper IV is a false sequel; it's the first (and only, I think) Dutch Dapper game. It also has a nice walkthrough by David Welbourn.

This game is a lot like Star Wars or saturday morning cartoons. You have an intro in space which sets up your character and motivations.

After the intro, the game has two main parts and an epilogue. The first main part is in your house, which has a lot of red herrings (including a literal one). The second part is in a Mos Eisly-like alien town, with a casino, bar, pawn shop, etc. You can travel back and forth between these two parts.

The epilogue is exciting, like the prologue. The game promises a sequel, but in a way that seems to mimic the false prequels.

Overall, I recommend it.

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Dutch Dapper IV: The Final Voyage on IFDB

Recommended Lists

Dutch Dapper IV: The Final Voyage appears in the following Recommended Lists:

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Polls

The following polls include votes for Dutch Dapper IV: The Final Voyage:

Solved without Hints by joncgoodwin
I'm very interested in hearing truthful accounts of at least somewhat difficult games (or games that don't solve themselves at least) solved completely without recourse to hints, walkthroughs, etc.

Trying to find a good comedy. by H. W. Wiliams
I'm hoping to find a good comedy IF title. I've been away for a while and want a good laugh before I head back to work. Any suggestions?

Games part of an unfinished series by Jonathan Blask
I think it is both funny and interesting when games bill themselves as "Part # in the [blank] series" (and other games are never written). It is fun to speculate what directions those future games may have gone. This poll is a memorial...




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