The Rise of the Golden Idol
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Adventure, point-and-click, detective, 2D, Crime, indie games, 60s and 70s, singleplayer
OpenCritic
A point-and-click detective adventure game and a sequel to The Case of the Golden Idol. The Rise of the Golden Idol has us solving fifteen investigations and trying to figure out how they're related to the titular Golden Idol.
The Rise of the Golden Idol is a point-and-click detective adventure game and the sequel to 2022's The Case of the Golden Idol. Like the first game, it was developed by Color Stray Games.
Plot
The Rise of the Golden Idol is set in the 1970s, three centuries after the first game. Despite the passage of time, the legend of the Golden Idol is still alive and reaping a bloody harvest. We play as a treasure hunter following its trail, needing to solve fifteen criminal mysteries.
Mechanics
The Rise of the Golden Idol has us conducting investigations, ranging from murders to other crimes. The player will meet various characters, each with a different personality and hidden motivations. They include people from the upper classes, TV presenters, convicts and those seeking enlightenment.
The gameplay revolves around solving increasingly more difficult puzzles. To solve them, we must thoroughly search the locations for clues, leads and evidence, then figure out a coherent cause-and-effect sequence. This lets us explain how the event unfolded and who was involved in it.
Technical aspects
Unlike the first game, which made use of pixel art, The Rise of the Golden Idol features a colorful artstyle reminiscent of the 1970s.
Videos and Screens
[0:55] The Rise of the Golden Idol Launch Trailer
[1:08] The Rise of the Golden Idol Release Date Trailer
GameLuster: 8 / 10 by Jess Clayton-Berry
While the storyline doesn't quite hit the same as its predecessor which is amplified by the longer gameplay length, The Rise of the Golden Idol still has very engaging gameplay and puzzles. I'm happy to say that I was hooked once again.
Digital Trends: 4 / 5 by Giovanni Colantonio
The Rise of the Golden Idol makes a great mystery series even better.
Digital Chumps: 9 / 10 by Will Silberman
The end result of The Rise of the Golden Idol is one of great success. In the midst of a multitude of puzzles and point-and-click gameplay is a gem that is worthy of the best thinky game of 2024.
The Rise of the Golden Idol Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Android OS
Apple iOS
Developer: Color Gray Games
Publisher: PlayStack
Age restrictions: 16+
The Rise of the Golden Idol System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core 1.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD 4600 or better, 2.5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit