When Larry Met Patti . . .

Larry’s back, and he’s ba-a-a-d.

The fourth game in Sierra On-line’s series, “Leisure Suit Larry 5: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work” builds on the same ribald theme of the earlier games, and does it better.

In “Larry 3,” Larry Laffer, a clumsy, desperate, polyester-clad nebbish, somehow hooked Passionate Patti, a bombshell piano player. In the new episode, we see more of both Larry and Patty (pun intended), and we see them in a lush, elaborate set and with a splendid soundtrack. This adventure offers a refreshing break from the standard “acquire-mystical-powers-and-save-the-world” fantasy game.

Somehow (it is suggested maybe in the inexplicably nonexistent “Larry 4”) Larry and Patti have become separated. Now, Larry’s working for a porno movie company in Hollywood. He is sent on a cross country trip to interview the three finalists in the company’s sexiest women in the world contest. Larry’s bosses believe that whichever woman is attracted to lonely loser Larry must really be worthy of the title.

In the meantime, Patty’s has been recruited by the FBI to infiltrate the same group of sleazoids who are promoting the contest.

With a twisted sense of equal opportunity lasciviousness, you play as both Larry and Patti.

The new mechanics of “Larry 5” make it easier to play than the earlier games. An icon menu replaces typed commands with a handy “point and grope” (point the mouse and click) method of moving characters. The earliest release of the game has some very minor bugs that, Sierra says, are being corrected.

Like the earlier games in the series, “Larry 5” is blatantly sexist (not to mention salacious, in an arrested adolescent sort of way). But it is harmless and fun for consenting adults.

Larry 5

Rating: ****

IBM and compatibles, Tandy; VGA 256 or 16 colors available, MCGA, EGA; 286 performance or better required. Parental Discretion Advised. List Price: $59.95

Computer games are rated on a five-star system, from one star for poor to five for excellent.