The Shivah

 PC
The Shivah Image
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  1. First Review
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User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

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  • Summary: In this graphical adventure game, Russell Stone works as a Jewish Rabbi at a poor synagogue in New York City. He is a devout man with a problem. Membership is way down and he lacks the funds to keep his synagogue open. Things are looking very bleak, and he has grown progressively moreIn this graphical adventure game, Russell Stone works as a Jewish Rabbi at a poor synagogue in New York City. He is a devout man with a problem. Membership is way down and he lacks the funds to keep his synagogue open. Things are looking very bleak, and he has grown progressively more cynical and bitter with the passage of time. Just as he is on the verge of packing it all in, he receives some interesting news. A former member of his congregation has died and left the Rabbi a significant amount of money. A blessing? Or the start of something far more sinister? Can Rabbi Stone just accept the money and move on? His conscience says no. Step into his shoes as he travels all over Manhattan in his attempt to uncover the truth. Features rabbinical conversation methods, a unique method of fighting, an original score, and three different endings [Wadjet Eye Games]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. The A.V. Club
    75
    The Shivah fits a compelling moral conscience over a tight decision tree, and compared to sillier interactive fiction like "Phoenix Wright" or "Hotel Dusk," its rewards are subtler, and more satisfying.
  2. PC Gamer UK
    70
    Lasting only two hours (but costing 2.50 pounds), and occasionally frustratingly obtuse, it's a gentle, bite-sized memory of the better days of adventuring. [May 2007, p.90]

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. runner
    Oct 4, 2016
    8
    My only real complaint about this game is it's length. I've got The Shivah quite some time ago and wanted to play this game for a while, IMy only real complaint about this game is it's length. I've got The Shivah quite some time ago and wanted to play this game for a while, I read about it a bit and it seemed rather interesting game, but I didn't prepare myself for a 1-2 hours experience, and somehow expected it to last longer.

    The game is rather simple and you'd like it if you're a fan of old and classic adventure games. (I guess that the 'remake' looks much better, haven't checked it yet.)
    The original version has the classic "pixelish" graphics done with the AGS engine. The soundtrack also feels as if it was done in the spirit of the 90's but it's catchy enough and fits the atmosphere well.

    The story is nice, and while it's not a big breakthrough in the field of storytelling through video games, it was good enough for me to want to know what happens next and to enjoy every bit of the plot.
    Puzzles are quite nice as well, you won't find here the "classic" annoyances of the old point-n'-click genre (eg. pixel hunting, tiring inventory puzzles) but mostly investigation work. A Rabbi Detective sorta thing.

    The difficulty of the game was just right in my opinion, not everything is just put straight out for you to find, but it's also not too hard to figure out what to do. It's all just about plain sense, but you still have to actually figure out what's going on.

    Also, you'll find a little originality in some 'puzzles' or gameplay elements in the game, including "rabbinical combat" which is based on spoken dialogue, and some clues combination puzzles instead of tedious inventory puzzles.

    As I said before, the only real problem is that it all ends so soon.
    Still, the game is rather cheap, and also has a "Kosher Edition" which is sort of a remake with improved graphics and sounds. And while I'm yet to play that version, I'm sure that it delivers an enhanced experience of the game.

    If you love classic adventure games and want some 'light' one which you can finish in one sitting, within an hour or two, definitely give it a try.    … Expand
  2. Chair
    Apr 18, 2014
    0
    Definitely the worst point-and-click adventure I've ever played. Boring story, non-engaging characters, and flawed puzzle logic all sum up forDefinitely the worst point-and-click adventure I've ever played. Boring story, non-engaging characters, and flawed puzzle logic all sum up for a terrible experience. The religious ideas expressed left me offended as well.… Expand

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