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Sunday Gold blends point-and-click adventure with RPG combat. The prologue scene introduces players to both before turning them loose on the game's first major heist. As it turns out, this is the sort of game where even something like getting into a pub won't be as simple as it sounds.
Frank's initial challenge also offers opportunities to find bonus items that will be useful later in the game, as well as a choice that affects later dialogue. Master the prologue, and you'll be ready for anything that Hogan and his cronies can throw at you!
How To Get The Crowbar
When the scene opens, Frank has been thrown out of his favorite pub for fighting with another patron. He needs to get back in to meet up with Sally and get information about the new job she has planned. Pick up your Compad from the sidewalk when it buzzes to get started.
Your first task is to get the crowbar guarded by the Vagrant, Mickey. He won't let you near, so you'll need to come up with a peace offering. Search the telephone box on the right side of the screen to find a few pounds' worth of change.
Give the change to Mickey, and he'll leave to buy himself a pint. Once he's gone, you can take the crowbar without further incident.
If you search the phone booth, give the change to Mickey, and pick up the crowbar in that exact order with no other AP expenditure, it will use Frank's initial allotment of AP exactly. Otherwise, you'll have to end your turn before you can pick up the crowbar.
Once you have the crowbar, you can use it to pry open the iron gate to the left and enter the alleyway. Before you do, it's worth spending the AP to search Mickey's shelter. You'll find some Painkillers you can use in the upcoming fight or save for later.
How To Beat Ian
In the alleyway, you'll come across a mob enforcer named Ian beating up a fellow late on his payments. Frank also owes money to Ian's boss, so a fight ensues.
If you have any AP left at the start of the fight, attack right away with Frank's Butterfly Knife to get some early hits. On the second turn, Ian will prepare an attack which you'll need to Guard against. This also replenishes Frank's AP.
Ian is slow, only attacking every few rounds. If he prepares a big attack (indicated by a yellow line between him and Frank), Guard against it regardless of your remaining AP.
You can stun Ian by reducing his defense to zero with repeated attacks. This will interrupt his prepared attack, but on the off chance that you miss you'll be in for a world of hurt.
Once Ian is defeated, you'll receive the £200 he took from his unconscious victim. You can also search Ian to get an extra dose of Painkillers.
How To Distract The Bouncer
The bouncer is on to Frank's scheme to sneak in through the back door, and won't let you in. You'll need to come up with a distraction.
Search Ian's victim to find his shopping list and some firecrackers. You can also return the stolen money if you want - doing so earns the Happy Birthday Achievement, and you'll get an extra item at the end of Chapter One. Otherwise, you can save the cash to pay off Frank's bar tab once you're inside.
Search the dumpster on the right side of the screen to find a bottle of Birmingham's Finest, then use the firecrackers to start a dumpster fire. After the cutscene, Frank will be back in front of the Jolly Hangman. Enter through the front door.
Things To Do In The Pub
You can go straight to Sally to get the game properly started, but there are a few things to do around the pub first. Talk to the bartender and set the fallen stool upright, then talk to the patron in the red shirt to smooth things over from your fight. If you still have the cash you took from Ian, you can pay Frank's tab to get the Finders Keepers Achievement.
There's a handbag on the table next to Sally's - search it to find a third dose of Painkillers, setting you up with a decent stock of healing items to start the first chapter. Once you're ready, talk to Sally to hear about the job, then order a drink from the bartender to end the prologue.