A thrilling sequel that improves on the original in pretty much every way.

Set in the underexplored 1970s, The Rise of the Golden Idol picks up almost 200 years after the events of the first game. Instead of a recurring cast of nobles vying for political power using the golden idol in Albion (the series' version of Britain) and Lanka/Lemuria (the series' version of South India), we now follow a band of plucky scientists and hippies in Hesperia (the series' version of America). The idol's back with a new set of powers, and we're treated to a series of detective scenarios in diverse settings ranging from drive-in theaters to zoos to TV variety shows to run-down apartment complexes. Soak in the information from each new scenario, become acquainted with the freeze-framed characters, work out who's who and what's what, and further unravel the events surrounding the mysterious Golden Idol, which seems to leave a trail of broken bodies and minds wherever it goes.

My deductive reasoning skills improved substantially over the course of the game, and that combined with the improved interface over the first game means I never had to break out a notepad to keep track of all the information. The artwork's beautifully drawn and the scenarios are exquisitely well thought-out. Pre-ordering the DLC was a no-brainer, and I can't wait to go through that over the course of 2025.

A thrilling sequel that improves on the original in pretty much every way. Set in the underexplored 1970s, The Rise of the Golden Idol picks up almost 200 years after the events of the first game. Instead of a recurring cast of nobles vying for political power using the golden idol in Albion (the series' version of Britain) and Lanka/Lemuria (the series' version of South India), we now follow a band of plucky scientists and hippies in Hesperia (the series' version of America). The idol's back with a new set of powers, and we're treated to a series of detective scenarios in diverse settings ranging from drive-in theaters to zoos to TV variety shows to run-down apartment complexes. Soak in the information from each new scenario, become acquainted with the freeze-framed characters, work out who's who and what's what, and further unravel the events surrounding the mysterious Golden Idol, which seems to leave a trail of broken bodies and minds wherever it goes. My deductive reasoning skills improved substantially over the course of the game, and that combined with the improved interface over the first game means I never had to break out a notepad to keep track of all the information. The artwork's beautifully drawn and the scenarios are exquisitely well thought-out. Pre-ordering the DLC was a no-brainer, and I can't wait to go through that over the course of 2025.