Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed screenshot

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 246 reviews

story69 positive mentions

gameplay4 negative mentions

Engaging story with interesting characters and a well-developed plot.
Good animation and soundtracks, particularly the main menu theme.
Classic point-and-click gameplay with enjoyable puzzles and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of games like Broken Sword.

The game is quite short, with only about 3 hours of gameplay and ends on a cliffhanger.
Some voice acting is poor, particularly for certain characters, which detracts from the overall experience.
Graphics and character animations can feel outdated and stiff, impacting immersion.

story
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its intriguing premise and character development, particularly in the context of a conspiracy involving the Vatican. However, several reviewers noted that the narrative feels incomplete, as only the first act is available, leaving players with cliffhangers and a lack of closure. While some found the dialogue excessive and the pacing slow, others praised the charm and depth of the story, expressing hope for future installments to further develop the plot.
- “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 story starts slowly but does a nice job of drawing you in, ending (predictably) with a cliffhanger, but one that made me interested in the episodes to come.”
- “It's not a complete story; there are only three parts available at the time of this review.”
- “Yet another incomplete, abandoned episodic game that died before there was much of any story development.”
- “The plot is not well set up: after finishing Act I, you should at least have an idea of how good the story's going to be - but barely anything happens.”
graphics
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
47%
13%
The graphics in the game are generally described as decent but somewhat outdated, with many reviewers noting a contrast between the well-designed backgrounds and the less impressive character models and animations. While some appreciate the unique art style and comic book cutscenes, others find the overall visual quality to be mediocre, with stiff animations detracting from the experience. Despite these criticisms, the graphics do not seem to significantly hinder enjoyment of the game, as the art direction and atmosphere are often praised.
- “The graphics are good and easily serve the purpose, creating a solid atmosphere.”
- “The game has a lot of fun humor and comic book styled graphics which give it a unique flavor.”
- “Very well made point & click; excellent graphics and level of detail, great voice acting, puzzles are just right, interesting story that makes you want more.”
- “Of course the graphics are a bit outdated.”
- “Graphics are mediocre; the jerky, stiff animations are especially jarring.”
- “The graphics and animation are bad, especially for HD, but the gameplay is okay.”
music
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
21%
9%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its sublime quality and emotional impact. The soundtrack is described as jaw-dropping and memorable, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling experience. While some noted a lack of variety in certain tracks, the majority found the music to be a standout feature, often recommending it for listening 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.”
- “Great soundtrack, good atmosphere, and really colorful supporting characters - hope to see more of them in the next act.”
- “The music in Shadows is simply jaw-dropping.”
- “The ambient music is awesome; I love the music in the Capena church.”
- “With a glorious menu music as 'welcome' to a story connected with amazing artworks.”
gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
76%
14%
The gameplay is characterized as a traditional point-and-click adventure, but many reviewers find it clunky, generic, and lacking in engaging puzzles, leading to a sense of boredom. While some appreciate the story and visuals, the overall execution is seen as mediocre, with a linear structure that limits player choice and creativity. Despite its classic roots, the gameplay fails to innovate or captivate, making it a less appealing experience for many players.
- “Visually it looks great and the gameplay and controls are everything you'd want in an adventure game.”
- “The story is decent and interesting enough to keep me playing, the sound and music are good, and the gameplay is what you would expect from a point and click game.”
- “Logical challenges, excellent in-game soundtrack adds more value to the gameplay experience.”
- “The point and click gameplay is generic and does little to alleviate any of the crushing boredom.”
- “Mediocre gameplay and puzzles, the story is completely forgettable; overall it's a game to skip.”
- “But the gameplay is quite boring.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its originality and strong voice acting, effectively drawing players into the plot. However, some critiques highlight a sterile and bland rendered environment, despite the good graphics and a solid soundtrack that contribute to an engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a notable strength, with potential for further development in future acts.
- “The story is quite original and the voice acting and atmosphere are really on point.”
- “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.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by numerous easter eggs, amusing achievements, and clever references to gaming culture, alongside a quirky cast of characters. While the overall tone leans serious, the writing includes well-placed humorous moments that feel organic, enhancing the overall experience.
- “In this respect, there are tons of easter eggs, funny achievements, references to the world of gaming, and to other games developed by other software houses.”
- “+ interesting and some funny cast of characters.”
- “Talking a bit more about the writing, the dialogue is pretty good and, despite its mostly serious tone, there are a few funny moments here and there that actually manage to feel natural.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is praised for its stunning designs and memorable personalities, complemented by an impressive soundtrack and a well-crafted narrative that enhances the overall experience.
- “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.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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 constant need to grind for levels and items takes away from the overall experience.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game has a decent foundation but suffers from occasional bugs that can frustrate players, particularly due to a lack of guidance.
- “The game itself is not bad, but it's buggy at times, and the lack of available clues made me frustrated.”
- “I experienced frequent crashes that ruined my gameplay experience.”
- “The stability issues are a major drawback; I often find myself getting kicked out of the game unexpectedly.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance and acceptable graphics; however, some users have reported issues with corrupted save files.
- “The graphics are decent, and the game runs smoothly overall.”
- “I appreciate the optimization; it really enhances the gameplay experience.”
- “The performance is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay without any noticeable lag.”