How do you describe a game that isn’t really a game but is one part brain teaser and one part horror/suspense thriller?  Well maybe I just did with the last sentence. Evidence: The Last Ritual is just that type of experience, one that offers some of the most challenging puzzles to solve while presented in a way that isn’t supposed to be a game.  The actual “game” is really supposed to be a crime that you’re helping the authorities investigate.

In case you didn’t know Evidence is the sequel to a game released a couple of years ago called Missing: Since January.  To me the game offered a completely new experience when it comes to the defined point and click adventure game.  Missing let gamers play the game themselves instead of being just a “character” in the game.  The premise was that you were trying to help the authorities in the search of a missing Journalist and his companion by “playing” the game.  The game was a CD-ROM that was sent to the authorities by a mysterious individual calling himself The Phoenix.  The first game tried to make the investigation (the game) appear as real as possible by sending you emails and having you search the internet for clues to the Phoenix’s puzzles.  The first game was a thrilling adventure and Evidence: The Last Ritual continues the same experience.

Evidence continues the same style and premise that was in Missing with only a couple of differences.  This time the Phoenix wants you to figure out what happened to Jack, the journalist from the first game, while trying to solving another mystery.  A sister (Jessica) is looking for her missing brother in New York who disappeared two years ago.  It seems the Phoenix had some type of involvement with the disappearance of the brother and of course he couldn’t resist getting involved with the sister’s investigation.

The way the game “plays” really breaks down into two parts: puzzles and videos.  The puzzles are the biggest part of the game because this lets you actually play the game.  You will need to search the internet to solve the riddles and mysteries of the puzzles created by the Phoenix.  Just as in the first game you will even receive emails from virtual characters that have the same CD-ROM in their possession.  These emails will offer additional clues and insights into solving the puzzles.  One difference from the first game is the web community that was created for Evidence.  Once you’ve registered and logged into the website you have the opportunity to work with other gamers (real gamers this time) to solve the puzzles in the game.  You can even see how far along the other gamers are in the game so you can seek those gamers out for advice in how they solved a particular puzzle.   You might be reaching out consistently to the other gamers for advice on how to solve the puzzles because most of them are very difficult. 

If you’re not on the right path when searching for clues you could literally spend hours looking at the wrong information.   The Phoenix will offer a couple of clues in the game but sometimes these clues are purposely vague.  Don’t expect to walkthrough these puzzles in a single afternoon.  In fact I would say that some gamers will probably quit in frustration easily due to the difficulty in some of these puzzles.  For those gamers I would say take your time and remember this really isn’t supposed to be a game.  You’re supposed to be investigating a CD-ROM created by a crazed lunatic who is just dangling the carrot in front of you only to pull it away.  Make sure to read the emails from the virtual characters and ask for helping with the web community. 

All of the puzzles in Evidence are presented in the same morbid and twisted fashion found in Missing.  Once again this isn’t a 3D gaming world that you’re exploring.  These puzzles are simple flash based games but with some dark and disturbing imagery such as dead bodies and characters being restrained against their will.  But then some puzzles are simply confusing and made me wonder just what in the world the Phoenix was trying to show off.  Think about all the suspense movies such as Seven or Silence of the Lambs.  Does the serial killer ever make it easy? 

After solving the puzzles the Phoenix will usually play another video from his collection of Jack or Jessica.  These videos are supposed to offer some additional insight and clues into what happened to Jack or Jessica before the Phoenix got to them.  But the Phoenix has decided to beep or mute any references to specific clues you might need for another puzzle later in the game.  All of the videos offer a timeline for Jack and Jessica, starting with the earliest videos first.  You see the Phoenix took all of the footage shot by Jack or Jessica and spliced it into his CD-ROM before the footage was seen by anyone else.  Most of the video scenes were well acted by the actors with only a few scenes that made me feel as if they boring or unnecessary.

Evidence is definitely a game that has to be experienced in order to be appreciated.  If you enjoy shows such as CSI or movies like Silence of the Lambs and always wanted to hunt down a serial killer, this is the game for you.  No hit points or experience points to worry about just you using your wits to solve the crime.  Even with the assistance of the other gamers (virtual or real) just be prepared for a challenge.  This isn’t the easiest game in the world to get to the ending.  That is really the one potential huge downfall for the game, the difficulty.  Some gamers will enjoy it while others will give up and never complete the experience.  Just be prepared for an experience unlike any other when it comes to Evidence: The Last Ritual.
 

Gameplay 8.0 

Don’t think of it as a game but as an investigation into the mind of a twisted and disturbed individual when trying to solve the puzzles.  You’re no longer limited to just what’s inside the game; instead you have to use the internet and the help of others to help your investigation. 

Graphics 8.0 

All of the videos in the game are smooth with hardly any slowdown or video artifacts (except what has been added by the Phoenix).  The puzzles look great with the majority of them offer static images, albeit with some strange and unusual imagery.

Sound 8.5 

You never hear the Phoenix talking but each time his words appear on the screen you hear the same strange and eerie music.  All of the music in the game is the same way, atmospheric, creepy and setting a great tone for the game.  Usually the music is just a few short notes or noises but they do a great job of making you feel uncomfortable.

Difficulty Hard 

As I’ve mentioned earlier the difficulty is probably the one big downfall.  This one won’t come easy for the majority of the gamers that pick it up. 

Concept 8.0 

If it wasn’t for this being a sequel this would be an incredible idea that should be used more often in games.

Multiplayer – N/A 

This is a single player game but you can interact with other gamers through the ICPA (International Committee for the Phoenix Arrest) website. 

Overall 8.1 

If you’re looking for a different kind of PC game then you can stop looking with Evidence: The Last Ritual.  Be prepared for a hard challenge that will surely creep you out and have you looking around the room for something going bump in the dark.