The Rise of the Golden Idol

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,424 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
The Rise of the Golden Idol Game Cover
Rise of the Golden Idol is a brilliant sequel that expands the definition of what a deduction game can be.
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In "The Rise of the Golden Idol," players investigate a series of 20 interconnected crimes, deaths, and suspicious occurrences spanning across an era filled with hallucinogens, disco, and fax machines. As an observer, you must piece together clues and make sense of a larger mystery centered around the all-powerful Idol. The game offers players the freedom to explore crime scenes and form their own theories, providing a unique detective experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,424 reviews
story222 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling and intricate narrative that keeps players engaged and guessing until the end.
  • Puzzles are well-designed, providing satisfying 'aha' moments and encouraging deductive reasoning.
  • The updated UI and art style enhance the gameplay experience, making it more enjoyable and accessible.
  • The story feels less cohesive and impactful compared to the first game, with some cases feeling like filler.
  • Certain puzzles can be frustrating due to overly specific wording requirements, leading to confusion.
  • The non-linear narrative structure can make it difficult to keep track of events and character motivations.
  • story742 mentions

    The story in "Rise of the Golden Idol" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it is engaging and features clever twists, it lacks the cohesive and gripping narrative of its predecessor, "The Case of the Golden Idol." Some players appreciated the non-linear storytelling and the way individual cases connect to a larger plot, but others felt that many scenarios felt disconnected or like filler, detracting from the overall impact. Overall, while the game offers intriguing character arcs and a satisfying conclusion, it does not quite reach the narrative heights of the first game, leaving some players eager for potential DLC to resolve lingering plot threads.

    • “The story is gripping, the characters fascinating, the gameplay is once again a masterclass of deductive and intuitive design.”
    • “The story is compelling and I had to play this one after the first.”
    • “The story is intriguing and full of colorful and memorable characters.”
    • “The story is very poorly told, with a bunch of non-coherent results and even some errors (like words discovered where the word wasn't anywhere) so I finished it relying heavily on trial and error rather than logical deduction.”
    • “There's several levels where 100% of the on-screen characters don't appear again, and the link to the main plot is largely tangential.”
    • “The story itself makes a remarkable jump from the 1700s to the 70s, going from freemasons to scientologists and MK Ultra.”
  • graphics197 mentions

    The graphics in "Rise of the Golden Idol" have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the updated art style that transitions from pixel art to a more polished, painterly aesthetic. While some miss the charm of the original's retro visuals, others find the new graphics to be vibrant and fitting for the game's 1970s setting. Overall, the improvements in clarity and user interface have been noted as significant, although opinions vary on whether the changes enhance or detract from the game's unique visual identity.

    • “The art style is beautiful once again, moving from the darker, baroque-inspired style of the first game to a more colorful, softer palette with pseudo-3D visuals and animations.”
    • “The graphics are vastly improved from the original, which was very retro-inspired.”
    • “The new art style is fantastic and unobtrusive.”
    • “As for the actual game itself, my main problem is the art style; it's still ugly and annoying.”
    • “The art style is what threw me off the most; it actually got creepier and more unsettling (a plus if you're into that).”
    • “The story, UI, art style, and difficulty all took major steps back in this release.”
  • gameplay173 mentions

    The gameplay in "Rise of the Golden Idol" retains the core mechanics of its predecessor while introducing new features and improvements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the streamlined interface, more complex puzzles, and the integration of overarching chapter-based mysteries, although some feel the difficulty has increased and certain mechanics are underutilized. Overall, the game successfully builds on the original's deductive gameplay, offering a satisfying blend of challenge and engagement for fans of the genre.

    • “They struck a great balance between remixing the mechanics to keep things fresh without losing what was great about the original.”
    • “The gameplay perfectly pulls off the feat of having puzzles feel challenging but not unfair, and one feels immensely clever when they make some deduction by connecting the dots between a scattered bit of dialogue and something that a different character carries in their pocket.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and addictive (in a healthy way).”
    • “In contrast, this game feels like a collection of disconnected short sequences, with some really bad design choices like mechanics you only use once (auction time manipulation) or the 'breath in' to reveal hints (really?).”
    • “The story didn't take advantage of its unique mechanics like the first game did and honestly could have been replaced with any newly discovered technology.”
    • “Some filler cases where nothing happens, some kindergarten writing, redundant idol mechanic, which is used for only one thing in this game; this leads to repeated events in scenarios and a sort of full circle where at the end we reconnect with the mystery first presented.”
  • music118 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, while some feel it lacks the memorability and charm of the original game's soundtrack. While the new score is described as diverse and fitting for the game's tone, several players expressed a preference for the previous composer’s work, noting that the current music sometimes feels less impactful or repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's experience, but it may not resonate as strongly with fans of the first installment.

    • “The soundtrack is as great as it was in the first game.”
    • “The music is diverse and atmospheric, making each case feel like a new experience.”
    • “The atmosphere of the whole story and also the individual levels is great, the music adds so much to it.”
    • “That said, I missed the distinct vibes of Kyle Misko’s soundtrack from the first game, which added so much to its atmosphere.”
    • “However, it lacks some of the charm, storytelling depth, and musical impact that made the original so great.”
    • “The music is competent, but I found it a bit of a step down from the previous game, though as an atmospheric backdrop for the cases it's plenty effective.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its captivating and diverse musical score, which enhances the experience, although some players feel it lacks the distinct vibes and sinister undertones of the first game. While the game successfully creates memorable and quirky environments, it struggles with pacing, as the intensity of the atmosphere diminishes during less impactful cases. Overall, the sequel maintains a grotesque charm and intriguing atmosphere, but some players miss the depth and coherence of the original's narrative.

    • “It's a great game with a captivating atmosphere and interesting puzzles.”
    • “The music is diverse and atmospheric, making each case feel like a new experience.”
    • “A sequel of the Case of the Golden Idol that revolutionized the detective game genre, Rise manages to expand upon the concept of the original while maintaining the grotesque atmosphere that made the original so iconic.”
    • “That said, I missed the distinct vibes of Kyle Misko’s soundtrack from the first game, which added so much to its atmosphere.”
    • “This game starts out with incredibly thick atmosphere, lots of mysterious deaths that really get intrigue going, and then it all grinds to a halt halfway through the game as you solve a bunch of relatively minor incidents that have next to no weight. I mean, one of the cases boils down to accidental vandalism. Regardless of the grand story it's trying to tell, that's boring and it feels like a waste of my time.”
    • “I had hoped they'd lean more into the 'dystopian 70's corporate America' aesthetic to inform the game's atmosphere and design.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, noting that while some aspects can feel tedious—such as matching information and navigating overlapping windows—there are also rewarding elements that keep players engaged. The difficulty is generally well-balanced, but certain chapters and tasks can become frustratingly repetitive, particularly when players struggle with minor errors in their progress. Overall, the game manages to maintain interest despite moments of tedium.

    • “It feels very rewarding, and the difficulty is just at the right level to be stimulating, but not tedious, so the temptation to do one more level is always high, even though playing this game requires constant focus.”
    • “Once again a genius puzzle game, that is smart and not tedious like most others.”
    • “The exact layout of a random apartment (which happens to be quite messed up) or the names of each bird in an aviary has nothing to do with the narrative, and to figure them out required no deduction work, but rather tediously matching dozens of small pieces of information into slots with descriptions.”
    • “I appreciate that it makes the game harder (albeit, artificially) but, more than anything, it's just tedious and frustrating.”
    • “It gets tedious when you know you've filled in 90% of the section correctly and you've just made a minor error filling in one paragraph, but you've got no idea what the heck went wrong so you fiddle and fumble with it until it finally completes.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional engagement with the game, particularly through its narrative twists and character development, which evoke feelings of surprise, pride, and even heartbreak. While some found the ending touching and serious, others felt a lack of emotional catharsis, suggesting that the game leaves room for future content. Overall, the emotional weight of the story and its characters significantly enhances the gaming experience, making players feel invested and smart throughout.

    • “And his household in case, and having that familiarity made many moments in late game have the kind of narrative weight that intrigues my emotional response.”
    • “The ending is also surprisingly touching and serious compared to the series's overall whimsical tone.”
    • “I cried when I beat it but remembered we’re also getting DLC for this game with more cases so I stopped crying.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its originality and cleverness, featuring funny scenarios, quirky characters, and a mix of slapstick and thoughtful jokes. While some players note a shift from darker humor to a more zany tone compared to the first game, the overall comedic elements remain a highlight, enhancing the engaging puzzles and narrative. Even negative reviews often contain humorous remarks, indicating that the game's wit resonates well with players.

    • “Great puzzles and funny scenarios.”
    • “Thoughtful and funny puzzles.”
    • “Very original writing, funny characters, and some occasional references to Aurelius Whitlock's Murder Museum podcast, which I was very excited about when I discovered them!”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; some players feel a stronger attachment to the characters compared to the predecessor, highlighting improved depth, while others criticize the lack of development and unappealing character designs, which detract from emotional investment in the story.

    • “Another thing to mention, I've gotten attached to the characters in this game so much more than the first game, so with character development, this game has exceeded its predecessor.”
    • “The character designs in Rise still maintain that distinct, almost grotesque, look to them that made the original attractive to me.”
    • “It’s not just the shift away from pixel art; the character designs are uglier, stranger, and the animations feel painfully amateurish.”
    • “There is no character development at all for those involved and we have no reason to care about them or the twist at the end.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability due to its mystery format, which inherently restricts the ability to revisit the same content. However, the promise of additional downloadable content (DLC) with new cases enhances its value for fans of the genre, making it a worthwhile purchase despite the lack of replay options.

    • “I loved the first game, but due to it being a mystery game, there is basically no replayability. The DLCs promise more cases to solve in a similar style, which is literally all anyone could ask of this game.”
    • “I look forward to the DLCs, and it's tragic that this kind of game lacks replayability by design. I cannot get enough of games like this.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, primarily driven by the financial backing of a publisher, leading to skepticism among players about its value compared to previous installments. Despite past engagement with DLCs, there is hesitation regarding the new game's promises of being "bigger" than before.

    • “It comes off more as a cash grab than wanting to have a proper payoff.”
    • “It's a clear cash grab thanks to the financial backing of a publisher.”
    • “I still beat all the DLCs of the first game, but I was a tad hesitant about this upcoming game, especially with its advertisements saying it was 'bigger' than before.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game experiences minor glitches and bugs that detract from the user interface and overall enjoyment, including issues like incorrect clue-text layering and long loading times. While there is hope for future fixes, the current state of stability is seen as a downgrade.

    • “The UI seems to be a downgrade since it's so buggy and unclean that it quite ruins the fun, with clue text piercing into the wrong layers, a non-fullscreen cover background, very long loading screens, and accidentally acquired clue text.”
    • “It also has some minor glitches, but they'll probably fix them soon.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Players have expressed concerns about the game's optimization, indicating that it feels under-optimized and hoping for improvements in future DLCs.

    • “The game feels like it's not optimized.”
    • “I hope it gets optimized for the DLCs to come.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
8-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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