DESCRIPTION

The Sting! combines aspects of role-playing and strategy with a seedy theme of gangland connections and high-stakes burglary. Players control caricaturized 3D characters as they climb the underworld ladder, gaining the notoriety that leads to bigger heists and attracts able and talented allies. Features include more than 90 characters (most for hire), 30 vehicles, a city with 20 major locations, and a host of smaller establishments to rob.

Three phases of gameplay include In the City, a segment allowing players to familiarize themselves with city surroundings and to scout out jobs; Record Plan, the heist planning phase; and Start Plan, which puts the burglary into motion. Players hire accomplices to help carry out their crimes and must traverse the city in taxis to gather tools, obtain a getaway car, and unload the loot, among other tasks. Up to three accomplices, each brandishing specific burglary tools, are allowed per heist.

The Sting! is the sequel to a German title known as The Clue!, a game originally developed and released in 1994 for the Amiga and eventually ported to PC. Several versions of The Clue! are available as freeware in DOS, Amiga, Win32, and Open Source code from the Antares Design web site at www.antaresdesign.de/theclue!/. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide