Casanova: The Duel of the Black Rose (PC, 2001)

About this game

As the name implies, this game puts you in the role of a lady-charming, swashbuckling, sword-wielding rogue during the Enlightenment era. In a mix of action and adventure, you'll play the good-looking Giacomo Casanova in Venice, Italy. It is a story of love, ambition, political conflict and vengeance in an 18th century Mediterranean locale. While at sea, his ship is attacked by cutthroat pirates and his mother is murdered. The gameplay begins while Giacomo, the only survivor, is recuperating in Venice in the home of the Duke of Grimani. He vows to seek out the murderous pirates to avenge his mother's death. Soon he discovers that her murder may be part of a much deeper plot linked to a conspiracy to take over the country's current leadership. Plenty of women wander the streets of Venice who can be charmed by the handsome Casanova's wit and audacity. Conversation choices effect how others respond to you, and the wrong answer could get your face slapped instead of kissed. Many spontaneous sword fights happen to keep you busy and help you practice for the latter parts of the game. Other weapons, such as a crossbow, will be needed in some fights. The game is controlled using both the keyboard and mouse. Walk, run, jump, and fence using keyboard keys; aim and fire the crossbow with your mouse. There are adventure-type puzzles to solve, many of which rely on conversation or inventory objects.