Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual

by City Interactive

Product Features

• Classic Point-n-Click game with sudden twists and a thrilling plot
• Intense puzzles that require analytical problem solving skills
• Detailed and varied pre-rendered locations: streets of Paris, ancient churches on Malta, Istanbul’s galleries and Vatican undergrounds

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001EM5XTG
• Item Weight: 4 ounces
• Media: DVD-ROM
• Release Date: November 10, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,739 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Professor Olivier Leroux, a well known archaeologist, is gone without a trace. The only person who can find him is his niece Sylvie. Frustrated with the police attempts to find her uncle she decides to commence her own private investigation. Which ultimately takes her to the ruins of an ancient church on Malta. It was there, that the scholar encounters a dark secret from biblical times. Become Sylvie Leroux and find out what happened to the professor. Who are the people who wanted him to disappear? And uncover a conspiracy that is thousands of years in the making!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars scorpio ritual, November 30, 2008

By 

D. C. Petty "deepori" (Stockport, Cheshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual (DVD-ROM)

This is a point-and-click adventure. It is set in the Mediterranean island of Malta. During the game you visit the sister island of Gozo as well as Istanbul and Rome. As a visitor to Malta, I can confirm the setting was spot on.

The game installed fine, it needs the DVD in the drive during play. Control is entirely mouse-driven and worked well.

Graphics are well done, with many animations throughout. A more recent graphics card is required to get the best advantage (shadows etc.) My old FX5200 could not manage the latter, but the game played otherwise without a hitch. Cut scenes were well done.

Puzzles were reasonably well integrated and logical. Most are inventory orientated with the odd manipulation. There were no sliders or mazes. Difficulty level is easy to medium. A walkthrough was not required. [ I did need to do a screen grab to enhance the graphics on one of the puzzles (lower fireplace), I believe the cause was my monitor which is too dark. Subsequent examination of a walkthrough shows a much clearer view on a different monitor.]

The story is perhaps the weakest link. A touch old hat, never-the-less it carried one through the game. Niece arrives in Malta, uncle missing, start exploring. Ancient artifacts, temples and documents lie before you.

The sound side is well done, both ambient sounds and background music.

The game is not conversation heavy.

The company that released "Art of Murder" is responsible for this game too. Whereas in that game the lead character is slightly annoying, saying "that was stupid" when clicking an incorrect object, in this game a more friendly "trial and error method they say" is the response.

The game is linear and controlled so that you do not leave an area before all the puzzles have been resolved.

Playing time is roughly 15 hours, which is a tad short. A couple more locations, or expanded existing locations would have been welcome.

Overall a nicely made game, enjoyable to play.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Scorpio Ritual, a Better Offering from City Interactive, December 13, 2008

By 

Ray B - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual (DVD-ROM)

A few days ago I discovered this game was the next installment from City Interactive, the same company that gave us The Art of Murder. Having made that discovery I immediately ordered the game. I played The Art of Murder not too long ago and overall I did enjoy it, but I honestly have to admit it was a typical game today that can be catagorized with the analagy to movies released directly to DVD rather than to the big screen. The more important reason behind this 'impulsive buy' was to answer the question, that is, do game producers listen to their critics?

I suspect that most of you who are taking a few seconds to read this probably didn't bother with Art of Murder. That's OK, since you probably read the reviews on this and other AG sites and have been able realize the consensus.
Well, I've been playing The Scorpio Ritual for a few hours now, long enough to make a few comments of comparison to Art of Murder, in no particular order of course.

The main character Sylvie: The first time heard her speak I thought, OMG that's Charity James from GK3 (which I recently finished almost) It turns out it's not but the voices are virtually identical. The talent far exceeds that of Nicole from AofM. Gone are the condescending sneers like "what would Nate do," or "that was stupid" when you make an incorrect inventory choice. Replaced by encouraging "no can do," or "think, Sylvie think." Games where you dislike the main character probably just don't sell. I have to say that Sylvie is a bit more err, feminine, I mean if you're going to use a young female character she should look that way.

The environment: Outdoor scenes are bright and sunny versus dark and gloomy. Although the quality of the graphics is average in both games, their is a huge increase in the level of detail in TSR. Lest I forget, the sound track is gorgeous, I have the sound level turned up higher than dialog on this one.

The story: Can't say yet but I hope they get that right too.
________________________________________________________________________________
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I finished this game a couple of days ago and just wanted to add a few more comments lest this game and any future endeavors by the developer go unnoticed. Sorry, I should have gotten to this sooner. I never intended to write a review, I prefer to leave that to the Pro's, although I know what they are going to say.....low resolution (1024 x 768 should be the minimum in this age of graphics performance), lack of facial animation...

I have to say that TSR is probably one of the least difficult AG's I've played. I never even thought about a walkthrough for this one. That said, if you're trying to interest your youngster in AG's , or if you yourself are a beginner, or if you've just in the mood for something a bit less frustrating (GK3 comes to mind), than this game fits the bill. The story itself does move right along, although with a few side tasks added for good measure. Helping your neighbors does have its rewards.

Supporting theme background is based on a few historic events based on the era of the Knights Templar and the transfer of power to a new Order of Knights Hospitallier. You learn fairly early in the plot what you basically need to do to solve the mystery which I think is a plus in this case. Some documentation to examine/read will be found during the course of the game but not so much as to become a chore.

The puzzles are mostly inventory/logic based although there is one environmental manipulation and one timed sequence as well. Rest assured, they are manageable. Also, rest assured again, Sylvie can't be mortally demised, (although she is abducted, sort of). Now I hate to be nitpicky but I think it would be an improvement if the writers did one thing. Sylvie does a lot of things right and when that happens her statements of self congratulations are a bit long and sometimes a little corny. Something like "Excellent!" or "Got it" would be fine. Not a huge deal, but certainly something that could be smoothed over a bit.

The ending? Not what I quite expected but when does it ever?

Getting back to the beginning, if City Interactive can continue to improve their games this consistently, they could be on a role.

In Conclusion: If Sylvie ever goes on another quest, I'm sure I'll be
right by her side.


Enjoy

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Game!, January 18, 2009

By 

Adventurer - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual (DVD-ROM)

This game has an interesting story and fun to play. Great graphics (well done!) and good voice acting. Some humor, love the parrot. :) If you are looking for a mystery/adventure game without frustrating puzzles & mazes then this is the game to get.

No long or silly dialogues, no running around trying to figure out where to go next or what to do since you can't leave an area 'til you find every item & complete the task or puzzle.

Installation was fine, having antivirus program turned off. The manual & 'read me' file gives more information if anyone has trouble installing. This game functioned perfectly and if City Interactive continues to make games like this and Art of Murder (AofM 2 coming soon), I will gladly buy them.

Score of 4 only because it was a bit short but this purchase was one I did not regret. It's nice to find a game that was made so well and enjoyable to play.