The Rise of the Golden Idol builds on one of the most intriguing games I completed last year, The Case of the Golden Idol. In this game, you use deduction and investigative skills to fill in gaps within each scenario. Although I’ve always been a fan of point-and-click games, I don’t recall playing anything quite like the Golden Idol series. The first game remains fresh in my memory, especially after its post-launch DLC introduced new content in bits and pieces. While I managed to complete the main game on my own, I often found myself searching online for solutions to progress through the DLC.
The Rise of the Golden Idol serves as a follow-up to The Case of the Golden Idol, yet prior knowledge of the first game isn’t necessary. You can enjoy this new entry without missing out and then return to the original if you wish. Each section immerses you in a level where you start off completely unaware, gradually uncovering clues. As you piece these clues together, an overall picture begins to form, giving you insight into how events unfold in each scenario. It often leads to a Eureka moment—a satisfying realization as the final piece of the puzzle clicks into place.
The story centers on a mythical cursed artifact known as the Golden Idol. In the first game, we are introduced to this artifact without fully understanding its powers. As the narrative unfolds, we gradually learn more about its mysterious properties and the impact it has on those who come into contact with it. I appreciated this narrative style in the original game, where the artifact’s purpose was not immediately clear. Instead, as each sequence was solved and more of the story was revealed, the pieces of the lore started falling into place, deepening our understanding of the world and its characters.
The Rise of the Golden Idol takes a similar approach to game design. The main distinction, however, lies in the time period between the two games. The original was set in the 18th century, a period characterized by exploration, with characters and settings that felt rooted in historical realism. By contrast, the sequel is set nearly 300 years later in modern times, offering a fresh timeline and tone. Personally, I enjoyed this shift, finding the modern setting even more engaging than the original. Despite the change in period, the core of the story remains focused on the Golden Idol, the same cursed artifact at the heart of the series.
The Rise of the Golden Idol picks up where its predecessor left off but quickly shifts focus to new mysteries. Expecting the story to start with ambiguity and develop gradually, I began exploring each chapter. However, this time the game adds a twist: instead of just solving sequences, we also construct and fill out pieces of the narrative in each chapter. The updated user interface feels much more intuitive, although I was disappointed by the lack of touchpad support on the Steam Deck. While the game performs well on Valve’s handheld, I often relied on community controller layouts or the touchscreen to navigate through most of the gameplay.
Each sequence in the game presents itself as a murder mystery. When you enter a sequence within a chapter, the objective is to figure out the “how” and “why” behind the incident. Every murder has a specific motive, whether intentional or accidental. In the first game, we had to uncover the “curse” of the mysterious artifact, which ultimately revealed itself to be the Golden Idol. In the sequel, the central theme revolves around a new curse that leaves its victims with haunting red eyes. Throughout the story, we encounter victims affected by this “Red Curse,” and it becomes an engaging challenge to piece together how each event unfolded. Revisiting these sequences often reveals additional details missed on the first playthrough, adding depth to the experience.
Each clue in the game can be examined closely, with some clues further divided into specific categories. These details ultimately provide new words and information that allow us to piece together the narrative elements of the story. The main objectives typically involve identifying each character within the sequence and uncovering the events surrounding them. Once these elements are solved, understanding the flow of the story becomes much easier. While the game presents some challenging moments, I still consider the DLC from the first game to be the most difficult part of the Golden Idol series. The main game has always been engaging without feeling overly complex or obscure. Even if I found myself stuck on a puzzle, the option to unlock a hint was always there to help me progress.
The Rise of the Golden Idol is a remarkable addition to the Golden Idol series. I thoroughly enjoy its vibrant and unique art style, the brain-teasing gameplay design, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from piecing together the story. I would highly recommend this game to fans of the point-and-click genre.
The Rise of the Golden Idol Game Information
- Price: $17.99
- Publisher: Playstack
- Developer: Color Gray Games
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
