Markus Ritter - Ghosts Of The Past
- November 30, 2023
- Flimmersoft
- 8h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"Markus Ritter - Ghosts Of The Past" is a 100% FMV point and click adventure game with 2 playable main characters and 15 locations in Austria. Markus, an average guy, discovers he's a Shadowhunter with a responsibility to fight demons after being plagued by nightmares and receiving a mysterious letter. The game embraces 90s FMV charm with exaggerated acting, characters, and item hoarding.
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Reviews
- Markus Ritter: Ghosts of the Past is a beautifully designed tribute to the Gabriel Knight universe, featuring a captivating story filled with twists and emotional depth.
- The game offers a rich and immersive atmosphere with stunning visuals, hand-crafted environments, and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
- Players will appreciate the engaging gameplay mechanics, including puzzles and exploration, alongside a well-rounded cast of quirky characters and a humorous narrative.
- Some players found the character dynamics, particularly the portrayal of female characters, to be off-putting and overly negative towards the protagonist.
- The game has been criticized for its short length, with some players wishing for a more extended experience or additional content.
- Navigation and quest clarity can be confusing at times, leading to moments where players may feel lost without consulting the quest log.
- story19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story of "Markus Ritter: Ghosts of the Past" is a captivating blend of homage to the Gabriel Knight series and original narrative elements, featuring quirky characters and a mix of humor and seriousness. Players appreciate its emotional depth and suspenseful plot, which revolves around Markus's quest for redemption, while clever Easter eggs and engaging dialogue enhance the experience. Overall, the storyline is well-received, with many eager to see its continuation.
“Despite the obvious and oblique references to the Gabriel Knight universe (with many clever and enjoyable Easter eggs), Markus Ritter: Ghosts of the Past is, in its own right, an exceptionally well-rounded indie game with original elements, interesting quirky characters, and a captivating story.”
“Set against the backdrop of Markus's quest to confront his demons and seek redemption for past mistakes, the narrative is filled with suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth.”
“With its compelling storyline, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay, it's a journey that will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
“After a very promising demo/prologue (the lost family), the Markus Ritter storyline now continues with the main game, Ghosts of the Past.”
“While the storyline is quite serious, Ghosts of the Past has a dry sense of humor running throughout it which had us laughing at times.”
“Of course, the story is full of clichés, but it still manages to create believable characters whose dialogues are well-recorded by the speakers.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Ghosts of the Past" is characterized by innovative mechanics that blend challenging puzzles and intense combat, providing a fresh and engaging experience for players. While it features interesting characters and locations, some users noted occasional bugs and navigation issues, as well as moments where puzzle solutions felt random. Overall, it stands out as a strong entry in the FMV adventure genre, appealing to moderate adventure gamers with its traditional point-and-click style and well-placed humor.
“In addition to its captivating storyline and stunning visuals, Ghosts of the Past also features innovative gameplay mechanics that keep players engaged and entertained throughout.”
“From challenging puzzles to intense combat sequences, the game offers a satisfying blend of gameplay elements that keep the experience feeling fresh and exciting.”
“The gameplay is good for moderate adventure gamers and there's some well-inserted, sometimes dry humor, which makes it fun, especially when stuck on something.”
“It's not the gameplay or the characters - although I don't know if I've ever seen a game with a bigger couple of bumblebunnies for heroes - both of which were fun and disarming.”
“Here and there I found the solution a little 'random', but perhaps that changes if you read the text snippets more carefully... all in all, the game clearly plays in the premier league of FMV adventure games alongside modern classics such as 'Late Shift' and 'Contradiction', although it is much more of a traditional point & click than a quick-time click orgy; fortunately, there are no QTEs in the gameplay.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its richly detailed and immersive world, featuring stunning hand-crafted environments, lush landscapes, and atmospheric lighting. It successfully evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic games, enhancing the overall experience with engaging storylines and characters.
“But what truly sets Ghosts of the Past apart is its richly detailed world and immersive atmosphere.”
“The game's hand-crafted environments are simply stunning, with lush landscapes, intricate architecture, and atmospheric lighting that bring the world to life in vivid detail.”
“Tribute to the classics FMV, pleasant and fun, which, aware of its limitations, manages to bring the player back to the atmosphere of the classics that inspire it.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its gorgeous soundtrack that complements the scenery and plot effectively. While the score is strong and fitting throughout, it lacks a standout piece comparable to the memorable main song and piano piece from the first installment.
“The scenery and soundtrack are gorgeous, and in most instances act as organic ingredients of the plot.”
“The musical score is again really strong and always apt, though no big standout this time like the main song in the first installment as well as that beautiful piano piece.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotionally rich narrative, centered on Markus's journey of redemption and self-discovery, which resonates deeply with players. The inclusion of a bisexual main character and a strong romantic subplot adds to the emotional depth, leaving a lasting impact on players. Overall, the game successfully evokes strong feelings and prompts reflection.
“Set against the backdrop of Markus's quest to confront his demons and seek redemption for past mistakes, the narrative is filled with suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth.”
“I keep on thinking about this game, and it obviously made me feel something, so I am going to change my review to a thumbs up.”
“It's refreshing to have a bisexual main character with a strong romantic and emotional focus on his current partner.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of serious themes and lighthearted moments, particularly highlighted by the sweet love story between Markus and Ludwig. The narrative incorporates a dry sense of humor that effectively balances the more serious elements, providing players with moments of laughter amidst the storyline's depth.
“It was both serious and funny at times, and the love story between Markus and Ludwig was sweet.”
“While the storyline is quite serious, 'Ghosts of the Past' has a dry sense of humor running throughout it, which had us laughing at times.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Ghosts of the Past" are described as stunning, enhancing the captivating storyline and overall immersive experience. Players are particularly impressed by the visual quality, which contributes significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere.
“In addition to its captivating storyline and stunning visuals, Ghosts of the Past also features innovative gameplay mechanics that keep players engaged and entertained throughout.”
“With its compelling storyline, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay, it's a journey that will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
