Deja Vu I & II - The Casebooks of Ace Harding (Europe) (GBC)

Deja Vu I & II - The Casebooks of Ace Harding on Game Boy Color is a compilation of two classic point-and-click adventure games, thrusting players into the shoes of private detective Ace Harding amidst perplexing and dangerous cases. The game falls under the puzzle-adventure genre, where players' logical thinking and deductive reasoning skills are paramount.

In Deja Vu I: A Nightmare Comes True, players awaken in a grimy bathroom with complete amnesia, unaware of their identity or why they are there. Beside them lies a dead body and a gun. All evidence points against you, framing you for murder. The primary objective is to explore the surroundings, gather clues, interact with objects and characters to restore Ace's memory, find the real killer, and clear your name before the effects of an amnesia-inducing drug wear off, leading to your demise. The game's interface is window-based, allowing players to control Ace through text commands such as "Examine," "Take," "Use," "Open," "Close," and many more, combined with inventory management.

Deja Vu II: Lost in Las Vegas continues the narrative, placing Ace Harding in an even more precarious situation. After escaping the first case, Ace is kidnapped by the Chicago mafia and forced to recover millions of dollars stolen from them. This time, the pressure comes not only from solving the mystery but also from the direct threat to Ace's life if he fails to complete the task. Gameplay retains the point-and-click mechanics, focusing on exploring various locations in Las Vegas, collecting items, deciphering complex puzzles, and engaging in dialogue with a diverse cast of characters, from thugs to potential witnesses. Every decision and action can influence the progression of the case.

The GBC version of Deja Vu I & II has been adapted to suit the console's small screen and hardware limitations. The graphics feature a classic pixel art style, creating the distinctive noir atmosphere of the 1940s. The sound and music are simple yet effective, contributing to the tension and mystery. The game requires players to be meticulous, patient, and capable of connecting disparate pieces of information to reach the final conclusion. This is a true classic adventure experience for those who enjoy detective and puzzle genres.