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with cynicism and brilliant insight during the few lucid moments, he has to solve cases to avoid having all funding withdrawn from the unit.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.

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