Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed

About

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed is a single player action game with a mystery theme. It was developed by 10th Art Studio and was released on June 9, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"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

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed screenshot

Skip User Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 251 reviews

story68 positive mentions

gameplay4 negative mentions

Intriguing and atmospheric storyline set in the Vatican, with well-developed characters and engaging dialogue.
Stunning art style and good background music enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable for fans of point-and-click adventures.
Puzzles are well-designed and provide a satisfying challenge, although some may be simplistic.

The game is very short, with many players completing it in under two hours, leaving them wanting more content.
Voice acting quality is inconsistent, with some performances being criticized as wooden or lacking emotion.
The episodic nature of the game means players may feel frustrated with the incomplete story, as only two of the planned four acts are currently available.

story
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The story of the game is described as intriguing and atmospheric, set against a backdrop of Vatican conspiracies, with well-developed characters and a captivating plot that leaves players eager for more. However, many reviews note that the first act feels incomplete, ending on a cliffhanger and lacking sufficient closure, which may deter some players. While the writing and voice acting receive mixed feedback, the overall narrative is seen as a strong point, with potential for further development in future acts.
- “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 is quite original and the voice acting and atmosphere are really on point.”
- “The story is okay, but this is Act 1, so I guess I'm waiting for Act 2 to go on sale because I'm not going to be paying full price if there's a big chance I can finish that in under 2 hours.”
- “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
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
48%
12%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning art style and well-designed backgrounds, while others criticize the outdated and stiff character models. Some players appreciate the unique comic book cutscenes and hand-drawn elements, but note that the 3D graphics can feel mediocre and lack fluidity. Overall, while the visuals may not be groundbreaking, they contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and artistic flair.
- “The art style is stunning, and the puzzles are well-designed, providing a satisfying challenge.”
- “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.”
- “Last but not least, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the graphics.”
- “The 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%
20%
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 gaming experience and atmosphere. While some users 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.”
- “The most enjoyable elements of this game are the soundtracks and the cutscenes.”
- “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 linear storyline and decent sound design, the overall execution feels dated and uninspired, with limited freedom and minimal challenge. Despite its classic roots, the gameplay does not meet the expectations of those seeking a more inventive or immersive experience.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its intriguing and captivating qualities, particularly in its storytelling and voice acting, which effectively draw players into the experience. However, some critiques highlight a lack of depth in the visual design, describing it as sterile and bland despite the overall solid graphics and engaging soundtrack. Overall, the game successfully builds a tense atmosphere that enhances the adventure, though some players express a desire for more content in future acts.
- “An intriguing and atmospheric adventure with a captivating storyline set in the Vatican.”
- “The story is quite original and the voice acting and atmosphere are really on point.”
- “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 characterized by a wealth of easter eggs, amusing achievements, and clever references to gaming culture and other titles. The cast of characters adds to the comedic element, while the writing features well-crafted dialogue that balances serious themes with natural, humorous moments. Overall, players appreciate the lighthearted touches that enhance the gaming 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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 meaningful, making their arcs truly memorable.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game enjoyable overall, but the extensive dialogue can become tedious, leading some to skip conversations to maintain their engagement.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found myself spending hours on mindless tasks just to level up, which took away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “The constant need to grind for resources became a chore rather than a fun challenge.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 frequently encounter crashes that disrupt my gameplay experience.”
- “The stability issues make it hard to enjoy the game, as I often find myself dealing with lag and glitches.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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, with minimal lag and quick load times.”

Skip Game Offers

Buy Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed

3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-4h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed

67%564reviews

A New Beginning: Final Cut

2012

Puzzle

71%3kreviews

Blacksad: Under the Skin

2019

Action Adventure

85%1.1kreviews

Syberia II

2011

Puzzle

+15

82%1.8kreviews

The Blackwell Legacy

2012

Puzzle

80%1.5kreviews

The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav

2012

Arcade Role Playing

+11

More games like Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed is a action game with mystery theme.

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed.

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed was released on June 9, 2014.

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed was developed by 10th Art Studio.

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed is a single player game.

Similar games include A New Beginning: Final Cut, Blacksad: Under the Skin, Syberia II, The Blackwell Legacy, The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav and others.

Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed

Platforms

Buy Shadows on the Vatican Act I: Greed