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Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual | 
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| From: City Interactive
Category: Video Games
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $16.02
You Save: $3.97 (20%)
New (7) from $16.02
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 2784
Format: Dvd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows Xp
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Media: DVD-ROM
Operating System: Windows Vista
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 1
MPN: 00201
Model: 201
UPC: 897749002019
EAN: 0897749002019
ASIN: B001EM5XTG
Release Date: November 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| 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 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
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? Uncover a conspiracy that is thousands of years in the making!
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| Customer Reviews:
Great way to pass the time January 6, 2009
This game is great to pass some time. Faily simple puzzles and a good teaser while waiting for Tungsta files 2.
 The Scorpio Ritual, a Better Offering from City Interactive December 14, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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
scorpio ritual November 30, 2008
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
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.
 chronicles of short and easy November 29, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
unless you like games that you can beat in 1 day, without your brain ever getting warm, i would pass...the graphics are good ..the cut scenes are dull and short, nothing to go ooh and ahhh about...the music is louder than the dialoge ....the whole game consists of 4 locations...the puzzles are a joke... the game looks like art of murder..but shorter..easier puzzles..same old silly story of my uncle is missing and i must find this artifact thingy ... boring...been there done that ...unless you are totally desperate for an adventure game i would pass...i felt like i got ripped off...way too easy and short..not one puzzle that got my brain humming unfortunatly... there is much better out there...the game worked smooth, but there isnt much i will remember about this game...i would pass...this comes from an adventurer that loves games like tunguska, black mirror, dracula origins, jack keane, immortals of terra, etc..
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