Play The Colonel’s Bequest Online – MS-DOS Game

Game Overview

The Colonel’s Bequest (1989) is a classic murder-mystery adventure game from Sierra On-Line, blending exploration, intrigue, and a richly atmospheric 1920s setting. Players step into the shoes of Laura Bow, a Tulane University student and aspiring journalist, who accompanies her friend Lillian to a secluded island mansion owned by the enigmatic Colonel Dijon. As Laura navigates the decaying plantation, she uncovers family secrets, hidden agendas, and a series of shocking crimes. The game stands out for its open-ended structure: time advances with each action, characters follow independent schedules, and clues emerge through observation and dialogue. Unlike traditional Sierra titles, puzzles take a backseat to detective work, with the player’s choices determining how much of the twisted plot they uncover. The text-parser interface and lack of a scoring system emphasize immersion, while the finale reveals missed opportunities—a bold design choice for its time.

Set against a backdrop of Southern Gothic drama, The Colonel’s Bequest offers a unique blend of freedom and tension, rewarding curiosity with a web of secrets. Its focus on narrative depth and player agency makes it a standout in the adventure genre.
Each game uses different controls, most DOS games use the keyboard arrows. Some will use the mouse , "Alt" ,"Enter" and "Space bar".