Preamble: This isn't a review. It doesn't contain critical analysis, just the subjective opinions of one person. The intent is to remember the games I've come across in my life and share the nostalgia, nothing more.

Jones in the Fast Lane

Developer: Sierra
Platform: PC
Release Year: 1990
Stephen's Rating: 7/10



Jones in the Fast Lane was like no other game I've ever played. It was kind of like a board game... kind of not... quite funny, and incredibly addictive.

Basic Plot

The game is about moving up in the world in the "American Dream" sense. Better job, more money, better education, more things, bigger and better house. And to do that, the player studies, works, and moves up the corporate ladder from serving french fries to becoming the general manager at the "Factory".


The bank. You could use it as a bank, but you could also work there

Gameplay

The game involved turns. Each turn the player had a certain amount of "time" they could spend on getting education, working at whatever job they currently had, applying for new jobs, buying everything from groceries to entertainment systems. It sounds mundane but it was incredibly addictive.

The game plays out on a board, and the player moves around the board to visit different places of work. It had mechanics where you had to balance a lot of things. If you didn't own a refrigerator for example, your food would spoil. It's this kind of detail which really built the game's reputation.


Recieving a new degree. You could get SO many qualifications.

You could play multiplayer on the same screen by taking turns. This was great fun and was competitive because only one person could hold any particular job. And there were clearly better jobs than others.

Positives

Certainly a unique game, and one that is addictive. Lots of humour and great facial expressions on the characters. Definitely worth checking out.

Negatives

The actual game is quite short and once you've completed it 2-3 times you really get to see everything the game has to offer. In that respect, there isn't a lot of replayability beyond the first few games.

Memorable Moments

We had this game on one of the computers at my intermediate school (11-12 years old). I remember fond times playing this game with classmates, and making a mental note to seek out the game for myself at home.