''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'', often known simply as ''Super Sleuth'',
[The game was packaged as ''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'', but the in-game title screen used 'Super Sleuth', as seen here in the video walkthrough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfzLN9fTz4g] is a
computer game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device to gener ...
for the
ZX Spectrum by
Gremlin Graphics, a software developer based in
Sheffield,
United Kingdom.
[Review of Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth by Crispin Driver at Retro Gamer, 6 December 2008. https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games80/grumpy-gumphrey-supersleuth/] It is an
action-adventure game
The action-adventure genre is a video game hybrid genre that combines core elements from both the action game and adventure game genres.
Typically, pure adventure games have situational problems for the player to solve to complete a story ...
: the player controls Grumpy, a store detective and general dogsbody working in a large department store.
The game was developed by Shaun Hollingworth with loading-screen graphics by Marco Duroe.
Gameplay
The player takes the role of an ageing store detective, 'Grumpy' Gumphrey, and the aim is for Gumphrey to keep his job.
[Original cassette inlay at World of Spectrum https://worldofspectrum.org//pub/sinclair/games-inlays/g/GrumpyGumphreySupersleuth.jpg] In order to do so, he must fulfil various tasks assigned to him by various shoppers, and by the boss of the store, known only as 'Sir'. Although Gumphrey is described as a 'store detective', he has to complete a number of tasks more associated with a cleaner or engineer, such as spraying bugs in the cafe, repairing the lift, and tidying the storeroom. Some of the tasks verge on the surreal, such as shooting
ducks
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a form t ...
that have entered the store, and caging a
gorilla on the loose.
[Game summary by [email protected] for World of Spectrum at https://worldofspectrum.org//pub/sinclair/games-info/g/GrumpyGumphreySupersleuth.txt, created 7 May 2000]
The game is set in a large, traditional department store named 'Mole Bros'; the name is a nod to ''
Wanted: Monty Mole'', a 1984 Gremlin Graphics game that had proved a hit as well as a popular Sheffield Department Store "
Cole Brothers". The player character in ''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'' can visit 39 screens, designed to look like the different areas in a department store, with different kinds of merchandise, as well as a cafe, a kitchen, a store room, a boiler room, and the manager's office.
The tasks generally involve puzzles that require Grumpy to acquire certain items and use them in a particular way in certain screens. They may also require dexterous manipulation of the player character. For example, the first task requires Grumpy to steal the handgun from under his boss's chair – a feat that requires careful keyboard or joystick work – in order to shoot the ducks.
Grumpy is hampered by other shoppers (non player characters) in the store, and must work against the clock to complete the tasks on time. Failure to do so will result in a warning letter from the boss; four warning letters lead to game over.
Reception
''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'' was well-received when published. ''
Sinclair User'' gave the game 5/5 stars,
[Review of ''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'' in ''Sinclair User'' #43, December 1985, p. 32, https://www.everygamegoing.com/mag_pages/sinclair_user/045/lc-p032.jpg] while
''Crash'' awarded an 86% rating.
[''Crash'' review of ''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'' in ''Crash'' #23, 1 December 1985, https://www.everygamegoing.com/larticle/Grumpy-Gumphrey-Super-Sleuth-000/20094/] Both magazines highlighted the originality of the game, with ''Sinclair User'' praising the 'novel plot',
and ''Crash'' calling Grumpy the 'first geriatric hero to star in a computer game'.
Both magazines also praised the game's graphics, animation, and its polish.
References
{{reflist
External links
Review of ''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'' by Crispin Driver at Retro Gamer, 6 December 2008.
Video walkthrough of ''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth'' on YouTube by RZX Archive, 15 December 2012.
''Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth''at
World of Spectrum
1985 video games
Action-adventure games
Detective video games
Video games about birds
Video games about primates
Video games developed in the United Kingdom
ZX Spectrum games
ZX Spectrum-only games