EVIDENCE: The Last Ritual Preview

There are few games on the market that can convince me that I’m watching something in real life.  A game I played earlier this year was one game that almost made me believe that I wasn’t playing a game anymore.  Missing: Since January was an adventure game unlike any other that I had played before.  The premise was simple enough; you’re helping in the investigation surrounding the disappearance of two individuals, Jack Lorski and his companion.  But the game wasn’t really supposed to be a game; instead the disc was created by the mysterious Phoenix, which had kidnapped the two individuals.  The disc was the only lead the police had in hunting down the Phoenix and it was up to you to solve the mysteries included on the disc. 

Evidence is the sequel to Missing: Since January and continues the dark and disturbing tale of The Phoenix. This time the plot revolves around two central characters.  Jack Lorski, a character from the first game, is back again for another round of intrigue by way of the Phoenix.  But another character in the game is looking for clues in the disappearance of her brother. The trailer for Evidence sets the tone of the game almost immediately with a video clip playing showing a cabin with what appears to be some sort of red coloring (blood maybe) on parts of the screen. Then when the camera angle shifts to show the face of one of the persons in the video you see a superimposed skeleton head that suddenly appears.  These are only a small sampling of the unusual and creepy situations you will encounter in the game.

The gameplay in Evidence, from the preview copy that I played, is exactly the same as Missing: Since January.   You have to solve a series of puzzles found on the disc in order to unlock another video clip and/or unlock additional puzzles and clues from the Phoenix.  Remember the game is supposed to be a DVD created by this person called the Phoenix.  Think about a bunch of movies and TV shows you’ve seen in the past where the main characters sift through tons of research found at a crime scene left by a killer, such as strange letters or symbols.  Instead of you searching a crime scene, all of your clues are stored on the DVD.  The Phoenix wants you to try to find him and his victims but you have to solve all of the puzzles on the disc.

How you solve these puzzles is another unique feature included in Evidence that was previously in Missing: Since January.  You’re actually searching on the net looking for clues to solve the riddles and puzzles.  The game even sends you email from other “players” that are trying to solve the puzzles on the Phoenix disc.  For players of Missing they will recognize some of the names from the individuals emailing them.  Even the Phoenix gets in the act from time to time just to antagonize you a little.

Evidence has the same weird and creepy atmosphere to it that was in Missing.  When the Phoenix talks to you (actually by typing you a message in the game) you hear static and mumbled voices in the background.  Each puzzle is really just a flash based style game, similar to ones found on the internet, but with sometimes disturbing images that could be shocking to younger players.  Certain images will flash on the screen at times during puzzles just to creep you out.  The images range from the superimposed skeleton heads that I mentioned earlier to some of the victims the Phoenix has kidnapped or murdered.  All of these images and puzzles do a fantastic job of creating an atmosphere that a sick and twisted individual made this disc.   It never feels like a game at anytime while you’re “playing it.” 

Evidence is recommended to anyone with a fascination with adventure games or even sadistic mysteries or crimes.  Just be prepared to spend some long hours looking for the smallest clue to help you with these puzzles.  The Phoenix has never made it easy and Evidence keeps the same difficultly level in place.  Look for Evidence to be released in late October 2006.