Jigsaw | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Graham Nelson |
Publisher(s) | Self published |
Designer(s) | Graham Nelson |
Programmer(s) | Graham Nelson |
Engine | Z-machine |
Platform(s) | Z-machine for PCs, plus later[when?] browser[a] |
Release | 1995 |
Genre(s) | time-travel romance,[1] Interactive Fiction, Adventure |
Mode(s) | Single player |
Jigsaw is an interactive fiction (IF) game,[b][c] written by Graham Nelson in 1995.[d]
The game begins on New Year's Eve of 1999, with the player discovering a time machine enabling them to travel throughout the twentieth century (including voyage of The Titanic, discovery of penicillin, codebreaking of the enigma machine during World War II,[1] opening of the Suez Canal, and the recording of Abbey Road) to ensure history unfolds 'correctly' despite the activities of 'Black', a character who starts out as an antagonist but becomes the player's love interest. 'Black' has no explicitly stated gender, allowing players to choose that for themselves.[2]
Jigsaw contains references to other interactive fiction games, including Trinity.[e] Features of the game include attention to detail,[f] and a romantic relationship between the player's character and another central character whose gender is never revealed[2] (allowing the player to project the gender of their choice onto both).
Jigsaw has been described as "acclaimed,"[3] "epic...notable,"[1] and as "[perhaps] one of the most fun educational games in existence".[2] The gameplay is challenging.[2][d]