What Was Policenauts? [REVIEW - SPOILERS]

[@Taolishao]

The real tokugawa was Shogun, not emperor.

[@FuturasoundProductions]

I've pinned your content for the sake of accuracy!

[@shamuu13]

Hhhhhhmmm actually.... God, people like you are so annoying.

[@BabyKobeeee]

shamuu13 lmaooooo

[@gt4666master]

@@shamuu13 why even take the time to post your flaccid opinion? No one cares that you think "people like that" are annoying, you smegma slurping trilobite (apologies to my trilobite fam) Don't you have a better use of your time? Of course not.

[@shamuu13]

@@gt4666master What do those words even mean?! Couldn't a simple "you're an asshole" be enough? Like the good ol days!

[@yeetleslaw8529]

All I see is Kojima's love for movies. It's really, REALLY, clear, he enjoyed "lethal weapon" lol. But also, I see Kojima's most common trope. Being betrayed by industries/powers we trusted or work under.

[@Merry_Adventure]

Oh the irony

[@theninjamaster67]

​@@Merry_AdventureLife is kinda predictable like that sometimes.

[@theninjamaster67]

@@9bit927 Which is why it's so predictable.

[@largesmallworld]

I think the pixel art of the pc98 version looks gorgeous.

[@JETJOOBOY]

What on Earth is PC98…??

[@awesomebrand6122]

@@JETJOOBOY PC-98 was a line of 16-bit Japanese computers by NEC, its what the original version of Policenauts was released on. For extra trivia, Snatcher was on the precursor, the PC-8801, in addition to the MSX2.

[@JETJOOBOY]

@@awesomebrand6122 OK..thanks..I seem to recall NEC doing a MSX..was this after that time then?

[@awesomebrand6122]

@@JETJOOBOY PC98 was a little around the same period as, and a little after, the MSX. I don't think MSX is an NEC product tho, it was started by Microsoft and various models were manufactured by other companies like Sony and Panasonic.

[@GUTZ420]

To me it's so good looking I would have thought this game was made in the 2010's 🤯

[@cowboy4187]

It's amazing that Kojima made something this deep and dense with details on such relatively weak platforms. This is really cool to see how he brings back a lot of these themes. Awesome video, thanks boss.

[@richardofredemption]

So that's why Tokugawa is on Grey Fox's helmet. Also Raiden and white blood in MGS4.

[@BigBoss_7191]

Yesss it makes so much sense now, just like I bet Gray Fox's yell of "The medicine!!!" could be a nod to the K9 samples. So many little details that Kojima probably sat back in his office chair and smirked to himself how much of a genius he is lol.

[@hughgrection7246]

@@BigBoss_7191 How is it genius to be all like " Hey I did a thing awhile ago" ?

[@Kinzokugia]

Narc is also the brand of soda Drebins monkey drinks in MGS4

[@trscsaeg]

Just when i think i know everything about mgs i find out more. Kojima weaved so many layers in his games

[@SegaSky]

Plus "Big Boss" as a biomort.

[@Eletheo]

The Policenauts theme End of the Dark is just too damn good.

[@Resonantscythe]

Sometimes I forget just how damn good the soundtracks are in kojima games. Glad to be introduced to another.

[@docbenway1082]

Great video! I'd love to see you make one on Snatcher too. These games are so epic but relatively unknown, even by fans of other Kojima games.

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

Agreed! I feel like Mr. Lee is one of the few people who could eventually cover the idea of the "spiritual" Kojima character. Like how Meryl is described as the same "actress" in different stories, because Kojima seems to have these "source" versions of a lot of his characters in his mind that embody this core spirit, sort of like how all the different Links are based on a core idea of who Link is. The obvious first choice would be Meryl, but I also think a very competent essay could be made delving into Smash Snake by someone who pays as much attention as Mr. Lee does. ;D

[@fredlakota3595]

S.D. snatcher i would love to see also , but then the original MSX version , the other version is way more different and annoying

[@JETJOOBOY]

Was Snatcher released in English? I am nicely surprised to find a whole old generation of games I know nothing about..

[@fredlakota3595]

@@JETJOOBOY No but there are fan translation patches .. so yea theres an english version at least for MSX out

[@donkeykongisytpooping3002]

@@JETJOOBOY The PC Engine remake was localized and ported to the Sega CD.

[@aidancurtis6581]

Worth noting around 26:16 that Tokugawa Heavy Industries built the exoskeletons for Gray Fox and Raiden as well

[@basedsketch4133]

I'd buy you a five guys burger and fries for picking up on that!

[@sytran666]

Fricking LOVE your videos, so relaxing, insightful, and thoughtful

[@drunkensailor112]

I can't recommend this game enough (on saturn with lightgun) recently played through snatcher and this with a friend who had never played them. The writing level to this day is insane and hilarious build up towards the serious ending. Also the saturn exclusive encyclopedia in policenauts is insane. Literally everything in the game has a scientific basis.

[@Dr_Salt]

Snatcher is awesome

[@mohammedzakaria7449]

Policenauts is very underrated. Wish they would create more games like this.

[@yeetleslaw8529]

Yes, I like the part where I can smell and touch each woman.

[@darthludicrous99]

@@yeetleslaw8529 Always wondered what floating boobs felt like. But seriously the game is amazing. I got pretty attached to the characters and invested in the story and this was me while watching a Walkthrough!

[@dkrumpenstein2370]

Check out Disco Elysium! I feel like its in the same vein as this

[@Dominicn123]

Lol this game is not underrated at ALL..

[@nitsuanomrah6997]

​@@Dominicn123 i only know of it because of metal gear solid

[@PureSolace]

That Kojima guy sure did love those Hollywood blockbusters from the 70s and 80s. You can see the influences lifted in every scene. So good!

[@mbe102]

Oh! Nice dude! A very nice overview and thematic analysis!

[@PerpetualAlfa]

Konami Kukeiha Club went to town on Policenaut's soundtrack to the point it makes MGS1's soundtrack seem like an afterthought

[@EGRJ]

11:55 An AI simulation of a real person? Specifically a gorgeous long haired woman voiced by Kikuko Inoue? Authority figures that lie to the player character for their own ends? Bet we'll never see THAT again. /s

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

You know, I'm always eager to know more about some of the littler details Kojima uses as film references. On the subject of Lethal Weapon nods, I'm still really curious about the use of the Riggs ponytail on both Venom and Sam.

[@Dominicn123]

snake pliskin

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

@@Dominicn123 No, the ponytail is specifically from Lethal Weapon 3, Mel Gibson's character Riggs after he's kind of lost his mind. I think Kojima uses it to represent a man who is damaged and needs to retire but has to keep coming back.

[@TheB00tyWarrior]

It's almost like kojima doesn't really know how to make characters that aren't based off an already existing one from a different brand.

[@Linkshadow40]

29:00 Can I ask you where did you read that Jonathan is Tony redwood father?

[@MrMet2087]

Funny I asked the same thing a few comments above. I think this was an error by the creator.

[@MrMet2087]

I recently re-played it, and it’s said that the frozeners were conceived from the sperm from the original Policenauts, so it’s a 20% chance that Redwood came from Jonathan’s sperm, making Jonathan his “father”.

[@stoicbros272]

This is one of my new favorite channels! Awesome content man!

[@VahanNisanian]

The original game on the PC-98 had a bookend. The first image was snowfall, and the last image was stars in outer space. The stars in outer space were symbolic of the snowfall.

[@Warmaker01]

I had the prior game, Snatcher, on the SegaCD and absolutely loved it. I recall game magazines talking about the sequel, Policenauts and was hoping that it would get translated and brought to the US. Sadly it never did. It's also fun to see how Kojima loved movies. Snatchers paid a lot of respect to Terminator and Blade Runner. Policenauts? Lethal Weapon movies.

[@VahanNisanian]

Who here agrees? The original PC-98 is the absolute best-looking of all four different versions.

[@transformersrevenge9]

I should point out that the space colony design is a clear nod to the space colonies in Mobile Suit Gundam.

[@basedsketch4133]

It's a style called a O'Neill cylinder but it would be more towards Gundam in fact I'd put money on it. I love all architecture be it in/on earth, other planets or deep space. I love looking at VOTOMS Pailsen Files the base especially as the massive snowstorm is coming or the colony in aliens LV-426

[@nolanolivier6791]

Bloody hell, I'd forgot about this. I'm just old enough and I was in Japan at the time. Never played it, though; I recall observing some of the imagery in and around Akihabara.

[@travisscheidecker4438]

0:22 the citadel in Mass Effect?

[@TiagoBastos-h7u]

I played this game knowing very little about it, apart from the title, the director, that it was never released outside of Japan. I was aware it was a graphical adventure with some light gun segments, so I armed myself with a Saturn, the mouse, and a light gun, and went for it. It's a very long anime (10h) with some light gun segments in between, a couple of fairly simple but long puzzles (with the bomb one being the most frustrating due to poor mouse movement implementation), and that was it. There's a lot of clicking, but not a lot of actually thinking, and if anyone who was hoping for more puzzles, or problem solving, will be disappointed. It's not really a game, and the box warns us about it, it's "Interactive Cinema". As for the story, it's simple and understandable, with several references to other media (both Kojima and otherwise), but presented in a very drawn out way, and also not what I was expecting. And the ending... was not really all that great. I can understand why this game was not released in the West, it was never gonna sell against a sea of Sierra, Lucas and Revolution point and clicks, and would be either compared negatively against those games, or positively against FMV style games, that were no longer a popular genre. Interesting piece of history that has Kojima written all over it (like fondling every female character's breasts), but that's it. PS: 29:05 Where did you see that? Redwood is artificially made, and only requires a surrogate womb. That was one of the revelations in the game, and yes, Jonathan is a father, but not Redwood's father.

[@jordanjuarez8102]

Posted one minute ago. “!” “Huh?”

[@TJdrums]

I love this game. Fantastic soundtrack. I'd love to see a video on Snatcher too! Your videos rock, you should have 1mil subs!

[@pr3historic647]

Really wish the Policenauts footage was mostly Sega Saturn footage

[@anonony9081]

I was always aware of this game but really knew nothing about it. It looks really great though

[@truthspillaz2]

Cmon Kojima remake this game in Ps4 or 5 and i will be the first to cop it. It looks brilliant and the story is definitely dope. Am sorry but Death Stranding is not my thing. But this Policenauts looks damn good.

[@ezio4470]

This would be an excellent animated series.

[@basedsketch4133]

Id love to see this flickering on a old dusty crt as a visual and interactive art piece

[@bennett4789]

video games are quite literally visual and interactive art pieces, and this one is playable on a dusty crt…

[@JRPG-Mickey]

Been waiting for this one. Hideo must have been drinking some Truth serum from the 1996 - 2000...MGS2 blew the lid off of his limiter and then on.

[@battlesai119]

my favorite sequel to lethal weapon. nice video love this game along with snatcher

[@Biaanca5036]

At 04:36, what is that symbol anyways? The Galbadian region in Final Fantasy 8 also uses that symbol. What is it?

it's the tokugawa clan crest

[@LiveseyKnight]

my head-cannon is that policenauts occurs if The Boss was never put in a coma, thus changing the world to a degree that the events leading up to policenauts can occur, that or Meryl can travel through the multiverse

[@yeetleslaw8529]

eh. An artist recycling old ideas isn't new. If anything, Meryl is proof that Kojima does write his games.

[@IAmBushid0]

Wow, I didn't know Meryl was originally in this game!

[@hajime5486]

It's truly a crime that this game isn't on modern PS4. I could see this being a great VR adventure mystery game especially with PS Move for shooting

[@manuelmateo3392]

It was an interesting game. Kojima's very own Lethal Weapon.

[@greggc.touftree5936]

The music from early 90s japan is so good. This game doesn't let you down, lots of good tracks. Also Meryl? She, and many other things, are directly copied to MGS...which(if you didn't know) kojima did less work on than his other MGS games.

[@silasdoclar92]

I love all your work keep it up my guy!

[@AvianSavara]

Wonderful essay. For all the attention we usually like to devote to discussions of canonicity and continuity, one must admit design lineage is such a refreshing and fascinating topic.

[@ElricSowrd]

23:02- Actually Kaneto Shiozawa who did Tony Redwood is Gray Fox, not the DARPA chief. Plato reminds me of Snatcher's Plato Cavern.

[@awesomebrand6122]

That's probably a coincidence, considering Plato's Cavern is named after Joy Division in Japanese versions.

[@MrMet2087]

@29:00 Where do you find out Tony Redwood is Johnathans son? I don’t think that’s ever confirmed is it? EDIT: I recently re-played it, and it’s said that the frozeners were conceived from the sperm from the original Policenauts, so it’s a 20% chance that Redwood came from Jonathan’s sperm, making Jonathan his “father”.

[@harrisonlee9585]

Could we get a deep dive like this for Snatcher?

[@geordiejones5618]

This would actually make for a pretty cool miniseries. Really hope someone asks Kojima to adapt this.

[@iAdeelSohail]

One Word.... "Marvelous" ❤️😍

[@GantzGeo]

Hell yeah, thank you again for great content.

[@isaiasvazquez5792]

I really wish I could play Kojima's earlier work

[@MetalGear_Markie]

Thank you

[@N3THof209]

I always wanted to know what Policenauts was about, & it's a huge mind fuck. I actually enjoy this.

[@pillar81]

Once you referred to the biomorts connection to MGSV, that immediately reminded me that Solidus in MGS4, became a biomort.

[@EGRJ]

11:50 "Beyond Coast Broadcasting, or BBC" Kojima plz

[@ME-ci8zi]

great video. kojima is god.

[@zyxluz4645]

kojima is god.

[@gowkie3940]

I want to get my hands on this and Snatcher so bad

[@alexanderdelrisco1257]

This game & Snatcher are such underrated games. But it really sucks that Policenauts did not get an official Western release. I would’ve loved to hear the game in English. I’m glad they did a fan translation, but I felt it could be better if I hear the game in English. Hell I would’ve absolutely loved it if they were to remake Policenauts & Snatcher today. I would’ve loved to see that. Maybe not today & maybe not tomorrow but maybe someday I would love to see a remake of these two underrated titles. More so Policenauts. And possibly make it a Western release this time. But with Kojima no longer a part of Konami I believe that it’s impossible for a remake. And I remember reading that Kojima wanted to also remake the original Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2. I would love to also see that considering how well known the franchise is. Oh well it is what it is.

[@TheHellspawned]

Great video! Is the music from the OST?

[@BarclayMagoo]

I’m thinking of getting this for the PS1 and was wondering if the original copy has an English translation? Or is it strictly Japanese

[@drunkensailor112]

It needs to be patched. If you have a saturn that version is much easier to play in english and it's the definitive version and adds Light gun support

[@onlyonewhyphy]

Excellent video!

[@peoplesoft2784]

Nice video!

[@not8719]

Imagine this game made in The Fox Engine

[@hazrod13]

damn, don't want to get death stranding spoiled. I'll save it for later then

[@darthceasar3690]

so metal gear solid is one big policenauts referent huh... kojima you did it again !!

[@frankchau]

Please do a video on Snatcher!

[@basedsketch4133]

Always wanted to play this and power dolls

[@sweetshoez]

Sick channel

[@njalsand133]

I wonder if Kojima saw lethal weapon before writing the story

[@IngramSnake]

Love your videos 💕

[@MikeD716912]

"this is like one of my Japanese animes"

[@morbid1.]

this intro makes me feel so nostalgic...

[@jayvee5686]

The scope of this game is awesome for the time

[@Inviting1word]

"You're pretty good."

[@IAmBushid0]

Pretty.... good?

[@Inviting1word]

@@IAmBushid0 meow.

[@docxy7331]

This shouldve been localized back in the day

[@RogueSabre]

What an enjoyable watch. Thank u for the content.

[@TheVileOne]

Thanks for the video

[@MetalGear_Markie]

Gotta add super likes on your videos

[@cmreinhart1987]

Jonathan and Ed...you mean Riggs and Murteau from Lethal Weapon

[@mauricio0341able]

Another masterpiece from the same genius Kojima. I cleared it on my PS Vita,

[@countphil1]

best friends play did a amazing lets play on this game

[@-pressxtostart-]

Where where where?

[@emiliolopez2023]

Tokugawa heavy industries is on the cyborg ninjas mask and Secretary of defense Jim Houseman looks like Tokugawa

[@Z-Mikes00]

this game needs an offical localization and snatcher needs a remake

[@yusukeimanaya6885]

Actually i just wanted to know the Game so much got told to be a refrence to Metal Gear and Kojima thinking Its a Bad Game or because of kojima a medioca Game at best but i have to say i was actually amazed i really like the Concept and it got pretty Good explaint trough you Thx for the content

[@arrtemfly]

>click >spoilers for death stranding god damn it

[@MailMayne]

my brother has aplastic anemia!! hes never needed a transplant though

[@tomhoward4905]

Well now I’m desperate to play this

[@BeatsbyDionysys]

uhhh when do you find out tony redwood is ingram's son? Redwood's only relative is Chris at BCCH.

[@slapstickcomedy2.0.18]

So L.A. Noire in space but Kojima style with Phoenix write style art and light rail shooting sections.

[@peanukinks5444]

aw fuck that theme hits every time

[@gillnosowitz2795]

This looks dope...

[@Navreet670]

Can you get a English version

[@awesomebrand6122]

not in an official capacity, it was never released outside Japan. There's fan translation patches you can find online.

[@falonkz]

Is anyone going to say that this game is a Lethal weapon movie in space?

[@stapuft]

why the saturn version?

[@FuturasoundProductions]

Good question! They weren't able to fit everything onto the PSX version - the Saturn edition comes not only with bonus scenes and content, but also the most important thing of all - a glossary, that updates as you play!

[@stapuft]

@@FuturasoundProductions well sickness! that does definitely make it the version to play!

[@stapuft]

@@FuturasoundProductions thanks for reading my question, and actually answering! also thanks for keeping the love for kojima sama going strong for so long!

[@VahanNisanian]

@@FuturasoundProductions Every version has elements not in others. The Saturn version restores a scene that was included in the PC-98 original.

[@paer76]

Godamn kojimbo a lethal weapon ripoff in anime form with metal gear characters. I want that. Never change man. Never change...

[@Jaspertine]

Yes, but most importantly, this game teaches you that you don't need to wear a bra in zero-g.

[@kayzed9824]

du du du dudududuuuu

[@gc3k]

Who did the artwork for this game, was an an anime company?

[@awesomebrand6122]

Hitoshi Nagao is credited as the artist on this game, tho the character designer was Tomiharu Kinoshita, who also worked on Snatcher. Cutscenes on the console versions were done by AIC (Anime International Company).

[@voltgaming2213]

Is that Akira soundtrack I hear.

[@mr.skarkasm7755]

bruh the beyond looks like the citadel from mass effect

[@Khattab99]

Looks amazing