Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards (1987)
Sierra On-Line's legendary Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards is one of the first graphic adventure games where you can move your character in real time while other commands are still written into the text parser. The game is also interesting because of its remakes. The 1991 VGA version raises the graphics and sound from archaic to ’90s level, and the 2013 version brings them to modern HD level. I played all three versions back-to-back and intended to explore the game’s background and versions on Samooja, even though practically everything has likely been said about it and its reputation is great.
Sierra On-Line, also known as On-Line Systems and Sierra Entertainment, is a U.S.-based software and game company founded in 1979. The company is known for the first ever graphic adventure Mystery House (1980). In addition to the Leisure Suit Larry games, Sierra On-Line produced the King’s Quest, Space Quest, Police Quest, Quest for Glory, and Gabriel Knight series. For graphic adventures, Sierra On-Line created its own development platform, AGI, in 1984, which was also used in the first Leisure Suit Larry. In 1991, the AGI engine was replaced by SCI in the second version, giving the game a major audiovisual update. The 2013 version was handled by N-Fusion Interactive and made with Unity.
Sleeping hit
Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards is loosely based on Sierra On-Line’s earlier text adventure Softporn Adventure. Sierra founder Ken Williams recruited Al Lowe, a long-time employee, to make a “modern version”. The game was originally released for MS-DOS and Apple II, and later for Amiga, Atari ST, Apple IIGS, Mac, and Tandy Color Computer 3. On modern systems, the original and the so-called VGA version run via ScummVM, free or paid.
The title holds two clues. Leisure suit refers to a casual yet formal polyester suit popular in the 1970s. The Lounge Lizards is the name of a playful jazz band. Larry wearing a leisure suit appears unfashionable, even old-fashioned, in the 1980s-set game. The jazz reference likely alludes to the game’s music or Al Lowe’s own music hobby. Al Lowe also composed the game's iconic theme music.
Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards tells the story of Larry Laffer’s night in Lost Wages, a nickname for Las Vegas. The game features a casino, and gambling is necessary for money. Larry, 38, is described as a software salesman and mother’s boy seeking love and losing his virginity. Four gorgeous young women catch his attention. Larry pursues the unattainable: women of a level he cannot reach. But fortune favors the persistent! The game is so comic and lowbrow that calling it erotic feels funny.
The first game was sold pretty much “under the counter” as Sierra On-Line did not market it. Players whispered about it, gradually word spread, and sales grew. The game became a success and a legend. It is also an early example of piracy, as more guides were sold than the game itself.
Modern players may find it strange and childish that Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards was taken so seriously for its sexual theme. It was assumed it would not interest or might offend women. Yet many players are actually women. The game might pass a feminist filter, as women are not demeaned or demonized, it's just Larry who shows his desperation. Women are elevated rather than objectified. This game is NOT incel.
First archaic version
The first version is literally the original with a capital O. 1987 Larry is slightly clumsy but charmingly edgy. A text parser under the graphic world allows typed commands. The character is animated and moved with arrow keys.
Command options are limited. The world is simple with few interactive objects. The game has five main locations, each with a few levels. The largest, the casino, has 14 levels, though six are almost empty.
I found gameplay easy and light. Typing commands was fine, though it might seem challenging at first. Options are few and tasks straightforward. Basic adventure commands like look, search, talk to, use, open, and give get you far. Save and restore are needed as death is possible. Gameplay suffers from lack of hints; I was sometimes lost on what to do next or where to go.
The first version used the AGI engine, allowing color graphics, animation, music, and sound. There are 16 colours and the sounds are sparse. The music is minimal, and there are only few sound effects. The Amiga port mirrors the DOS version; Amiga's audiovisual advantages were unused, perhaps explaining the low reviews. I played the Amiga version originally in the 1990s.
Second, expanded version
The second version appeared four years later in 1991, titled Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards. Known as the VGA version, it used IBM graphics. It was made for MS-DOS, Mac, and Amiga. AGI was replaced by SCI, and the color palette exploded from 16 to 256. Increased color/detail causes some blur. Sounds and music are improved, which is a major audiovisual step. Content is largely similar to the first version.
Larry’s character has changed. The first version shows a stick-figure character; the second version Larry has a bigger, expressive face. His head is enlarged, the huge nose is drooping, and there is goofy grin on his face. Larry has become a caricature of himself.
Gameplay has radically changed, too. Now you must use the mouse. The text parser is gone, and graphics fill the screen. To move Larry, you need to click. Hover top screen to see the icons: walk, look, use/touch, talk, pee, smell/taste, use selected item, open inventory, view settings, save, and see info. Items are chosen from inventory and used in the world with OK and click.
A spinning action wheel was added to the mouse pointer, alternative to the top icons, and it's controlled with a right-click. I tended to spin too fast, often clicking past the intended action. It made the gameplay feel more cumbersome than in version one.
Smooth third version
The 2013 version, Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded, felt like corrective lenses had been given. The comic-style graphics are in HD. There is more music, effects, soundscapes, voice acting. The original designer was involved in the making of the third version and he took the opportunity to fix some regrets he had had for over 25 years. The goal was not just improving the audiovisual side, but improving the game overall.
Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded raised over $650,000 on Kickstarter, and it was the first major production there. With the funds reached, a fifth woman was added. Four existing women remained but their appearance and personality was updated.
The third version keeps the original locations but adds some casino levels. Tasks are harder and longer, and the fifth woman brings a whole new quest. The second game version could be played by memory; the third requires new solutions. The plot is mostly the same. Death is possible but the player returns unharmed. Death is part of the experience in all versions.
The PC version of Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded is controlled with the mouse as in the second version, and the action wheel is retained. The game is also available on iOS and Android, where it is controlled via touch. I only have experience with the mouse, so I cannot comment on touchscreen controls.
I spent about three hours completing the third version, while the first and second took about an hour each.
Verdict
The first Leisure Suit Larry has been criticized as superficial, but why expect depth from it? Occasional lightness doesn't bother me, and I like Larry as a character, even though he took a hit in the second version. The archaic first version is surprisingly playable. The text parser provided a more comfortable way to play compared to clicking around with the mouse in the later versions. Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded adds new polish and, above all, turns Larry into a complete character after the tabula rasa (1st version) and caricature (2nd version). I found the third version’s graphics sweet. I rate my gameplay experience as follows: Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards 59 points, Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards 54 points, and Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded 64 points out of 100.
Availability
Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards (1987) and Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards (1991) are available from multiple sources. On modern machines, they run via ScummVM. Installation files can be found for free, but the games are also sold prepackaged for current systems. For example, GOG.com offers the package Leisure Suit Larry’s Greatest Hits and Misses!, including series parts 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. The package also contains the VGA version of the first game. Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded (2013) has been available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as iOS and Android. Current availability is uncertain, but GOG.com still offers the Windows version at a very reasonable price for a limited time.
