Release Date: November 12, 2024
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.
The Rise of the Golden Idol is set in the 1970s, three centuries after the first game. Despite the age 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.
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.
Unlike the first game, which made use of pixel art, The Rise of the Golden Idol features a colorful artstyle reminiscent of the 1970s.
Platforms:
PC Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Android
Apple iOS
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Color Gray Games
Publisher: PlayStack
Age restrictions: 16+
System Requirements for The Rise of the Golden Idol Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Dual Core 1.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD 4600 or better, 2.5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Game Ratings for The Rise of the Golden Idol Video Game.
Expansive: 4 / 5 by Laurie Jones
Rise of the Golden Idol is a smart sequel that doesn’t massively reinvent what the brilliant Case of the Golden Idol did but adds some smart new additions, updates the visual style and UI, and makes its storytelling more cohesive with a well paced difficulty curve. While the UI can get a bit cluttered and disruptive with questionable controller navigation and the game can get bogged down in semantics and its mechanics, it’s one of the most enjoyable, entertaining narrative experiences I’ve had in some time and a series you absolutely must make the time to check out!
Checkpoint Gaming: 9 / 10 by Edie W-K
The Rise of the Golden Idol is a brain-breaking collection of mysteries all wrapped up in one absurd narrative and is a must-have for lovers of investigation games. While it doesn't quite replace the original game in my heart, the puzzles are bigger and better, the plot progression is more fluid, and it's all-around beefier. Golden Idol's unique take on investigation and logical progression is as engrossing as it is difficult, and keeping up with its complex mysteries makes you feel like a master detective when you finally hit that "aha!" moment. I'm waiting with bated breath for those DLCs!
Game Rant: 9 / 10 by Josh Cotts
Overall, The Rise of the Golden Idol is a massive achievement in storytelling and gameplay, especially for a point-and-click puzzle game. Despite its steep challenge and the potential for players to encounter a game-halting bug, The Rise of the Golden Idol is worth a try, even for those who might not consider themselves a fan of the genre. Its gameplay is slow and intentional, but filling out those Event pages, completing every objective, and witnessing the whole story unfold is highly satisfying — something even some of the most fast-paced action games fail to accomplish.