The Butler Did It!

The Butler Did It! is a mystery/detective adventure game which tests the player's skills in the art of deduction, logic and investigation. The premise of the game is strongly influenced by Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and Clue.

The game takes place in an elaborately decorated hotel in the Swiss Alps where the wealthy and influential vacation. One such guest is the French detective Jacques-Louis Barajean, the main character. It is up to Jacques-Louis to solve a murder that has just occurred by questioning all of the guests in the hotel, gathering clues and evidence.

The difference between this and other "who-dun-nit" games is the time-limit factor. Called a "coffee break" game by the developer, each game lasts approximately 10 minutes. Replaying the game reshuffles the scenario with a new victim, suspects and accomplices so the game is never the same twice. As many as 16 people can be in residence at the hotel depending upon the season of the year. The difficulty level (selected at the beginning of the game) determines how many guests are available during the current game. The game ends when time runs out, the police are called and the murderer is taken into custody.

Completely controlled by mouse in point-and-click fashion, various icons are used for movement and zooming in to look at something closer. Clues are recorded into the Detective's notepad as they are discovered. Choosing the proper tone during an interrogation (Aggressive or Friendly) can determine how much information will be divulged by the person being questioned.

The shareware version of The Butler Did It! is much shorter with only one scenario and the fewest number of suspects.