Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed
- June 9, 2014
- Daring Touch
Get on Steam"Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed" is a dramatic point-and-click thriller set in Rome. Ex-priest James Murphy investigates the disappearance of his friend and uncovers a conspiracy involving the Vatican. Alongside a mysterious companion, James confronts his past and explores themes of faith and truth in a city shrouded in darkness.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging story with intriguing characters and a captivating plot that draws players in.
- Beautiful soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience, with memorable themes and well-composed music.
- Classic point-and-click gameplay with a mix of easy and challenging puzzles, providing a nostalgic feel for fans of the genre.
- Voice acting is often criticized as poor, with some characters sounding unconvincing and lacking emotion.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more and feeling like it ends abruptly without resolution.
- Graphics and character models can feel outdated and clunky, detracting from the overall visual experience.
- story50 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative and character development, particularly in the context of its ongoing series. However, some players found the dialogue excessive and the pacing slow, leading to a lack of compelling moments. Overall, while the story shows potential and is rooted in intriguing themes, it is still seen as incomplete, leaving players eager for future installments.
“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 plot will capture you and drag you through the two acts, leaving you wanting more.”
“Overuse of dialogue, especially in the opening/tutorial, was slightly off-putting as there wasn't much to do with the story of the game.”
“Just be aware, there is no ending to this story.”
“For me, the story flowed too slowly; you just seemed to be vaguely following clues with not enough exposition.”
- music19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its sublime quality and emotional impact, with many players highlighting the outstanding soundtrack and memorable themes that enhance the overall experience. The ambient tracks, particularly those associated with specific locations, contribute to a captivating atmosphere, although some users noted a lack of variety in the music. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to listen to it outside of the game.
“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.”
“When you first play the game, you'll hear an outstanding theme song on the menu screen. I liked it so much, and the developers are nice enough to put the soundtrack on Steam for free; I would pay to listen to this music.”
“The music in Shadows is simply jaw-dropping.”
“The ambient music is awesome; I love the music in the Capena church.”
“I have the full OST in my playlist and I often listen to it, alongside Hans Zimmer, Dan Gibson, Carmina, and Bach.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated and somewhat rigid, with mixed opinions on their overall quality. While the pre-rendered backgrounds and 2D artwork are praised for their detail and style, the 3D character models are often described as plain and lacking depth. Despite these criticisms, many players feel that the graphics do not detract significantly from the overall experience, contributing to a solid atmosphere.
“The graphics are good and easily serve the purpose, creating a solid atmosphere.”
“I like the artwork and the setting.”
“Last but not least, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the graphics.”
“Of course, the graphics are a bit outdated.”
“I liked the portraits of the characters and the artwork of the comic cutscenes; however, the characters looked dated during the gameplay.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a classic point-and-click adventure, featuring straightforward puzzles and a linear storyline that appeals to fans of the genre. While some players find the mechanics and pacing slow or dated, others appreciate the visual presentation and the simplicity of the gameplay, which allows for quick progression through the story. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience for those familiar with traditional adventure games.
“Puzzles and gameplay are classic, as one can expect from a point and click adventure game.”
“Visually it looks great and the gameplay and controls are everything you'd want in an adventure game.”
“Gameplay: classic type point and game with a strong linear storyline.”
“I liked the portraits of the characters and the artwork of the comic cutscenes; however, the characters looked dated during the gameplay.”
“Nope, the game and mechanics feel boring.”
“While I have seen the investigative mechanics and puzzles done better, the story still holds up and would make this a worthwhile buy for people interested in point and click stories.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its ability to create tension and immerse players in the plot over a relatively short playtime. The graphics and soundtrack contribute significantly to this ambiance, while the colorful supporting characters enhance the overall experience.
“Great soundtrack, good atmosphere, and really colorful supporting characters - hope to see more of them in the next act.”
“The three and a half hours it took me to complete it served to build up a tense atmosphere that began to draw me into the plot.”
“The graphics are good and easily serve the purpose, creating a solid atmosphere.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by a wealth of easter eggs, amusing achievements, and clever references to both the gaming world and other titles from various developers. Additionally, the cast of characters adds an interesting and humorous dynamic to the overall 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 an interesting and funny cast of characters.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, featuring stunning character designs, an impressive soundtrack, and memorable personalities, all woven into a beautifully told narrative.
“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.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the game enjoyable overall, but the extensive dialogue can become tedious, leading some to skip conversations to maintain engagement.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found myself spending more time grinding for resources than actually enjoying the gameplay.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”
