Shadows on the Vatican Act II: Wrath
- October 26, 2015
- Daring Touch
Get on Steam"Shadows on the Vatican Act II: Wrath" is a point-and-click adventure game that continues the story of journalist James Murphy's investigation into a conspiracy in the Vatican. As Murphy, players uncover hidden secrets, solve puzzles, and navigate political intrigue in this immersive and atmospheric game. The sequel introduces new characters, locations, and challenges, and builds on the dramatic and suspenseful narrative of the first act.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging story with well-developed characters and intriguing plot twists.
- Creative puzzles that offer a mix of challenge and enjoyment, with some unique mechanics.
- Beautiful soundtrack and appealing comic-style character designs enhance the overall experience.
- Game is relatively short and episodic, leading to long waits for future installments.
- Some puzzles can be frustratingly difficult or require trial and error, detracting from the enjoyment.
- Graphics and animations may feel outdated and slow, which can impact immersion.
- story22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story of the game is highly praised for its engaging narrative, complex characters, and surprising twists, making it a compelling experience for fans of classic point-and-click adventures. While some players find the pacing slow at times, the overall intrigue and depth of the plot keep them invested, with hopes for further development in upcoming acts. The combination of well-crafted dialogues, memorable character designs, and a captivating soundtrack enhances the storytelling, making it a labor of love for its creators.
“The puzzles get more creative and complex and the story more exciting, with really shocking twists.”
“This is a work of love, of passion, of huge investment in time and resources because this story wants to be told, and has to be experienced.”
“Inspired by the essay 'In Nome di Dio', Shadows on the Vatican is a thrill-filled story full of intrigue, mystery, and some of the most deep and memorable characters I have ever met in a video game.”
“The only negative I see is that the story is slowly developing and is somewhat boring to me :( but still entertaining enough to keep me going. I hoped it would get better in Act 2, but it didn't really happen, so I hope for more tension and exotic places in Act 3.”
“Let’s talk about the story and dialogues.”
“Story and characters are definitely getting more complicated, deep, and intriguing in this chapter.”
- music8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its sublime and jaw-dropping quality, with an orchestral soundtrack that perfectly complements the mood of each scene. Many players have added the full OST to their playlists, highlighting tracks like "To Silvia" as particularly memorable. The ambient music, especially in locations like the Capena church, further enhances the overall experience.
“As you load the game and the title screen appears, you are treated to one of the most sublime game soundtracks I have ever heard.”
“The music in Shadows is simply jaw-dropping.”
“The ambient music is awesome; I love the music in the Capena church.”
“The orchestral soundtrack matches the mood of each scene.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally considered outdated and somewhat rigid, yet many players appreciate the well-designed and detailed backgrounds. While the static, single-framed visuals may not impress everyone, they are not seen as a significant distraction from the overall experience. Some users express hope for future updates to enhance the graphics.
“+ Great looking pre-rendered background graphics.”
“Last but not least, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the graphics.”
“Of course, the graphics are a bit outdated.”
“The graphics are all static single framed and there should be no burden on your graphics card or CPU based upon the minimum requirements.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a welcomed character-switching mechanic that enhances the classic "Broken Sword" feel, alongside traditional puzzles typical of point-and-click adventure games. While the gameplay is enjoyable, it is noted to be relatively short.
“Good gameplay, but it's short.”
“The switching characters mechanic is really welcome; it makes it feel more 'Broken Sword' than it was.”
“Puzzles and gameplay are classic, as one can expect from a point-and-click adventure game.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its rich humor, featuring numerous easter eggs, amusing achievements, and clever references to both gaming culture and other titles. Additionally, the cast of characters, including Sylvia, Cardinal Brehmen, Mario, and a fortune-teller, adds a mix of cold, mysterious, and sympathetic humor to the experience.
“In this respect, there are tons of easter eggs, funny achievements, and references to the world of gaming and other games developed by different software houses.”
“The game features a cold, mysterious, and complicated cast of characters, some of whom are quite sympathetic and funny, like Sylvia, Cardinal Brehmen, Mario, and the fortune-teller.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, featuring stunning character designs and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the memorable storytelling experience. Players feel rewarded for engaging with the narrative, which is beautifully crafted and enriches the overall character arcs.
“If you engage with the game, you will be rewarded with amazing character designs, a jaw-dropping soundtrack, memorable characters, and a beautifully told story.”
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character's journey.”
“Each character evolves in a way that feels authentic and impactful, making their growth a central part of the overall narrative.”
