The Shivah Reviews

Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 109: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆☆ (7/10) [i] The Shivah [/i] is a compact, noir-inspired point‑and‑click adventure where you step into the shoes of Rabbi Russell Stone, a man torn between faith, morality, and a murder mystery in modern-day Manhattan. With its brisk 1–2 hour runtime, indie charm, and thoughtful themes, it sets up expectations for a strong, punchy narrative, but it ultimately feels too short and too light to satisfy fully. [i] The Shivah [/i] offers a glimpse into a unique protagonist and explores moral and religious questions with respect, but it feels more like a compelling sketch than a fully painted portrait. It’s a polished, thoughtful indie short story wrapped in adventure-game skin. For casual play or thematic curiosity, it's worth your time. But if you want a richer mystery or deeper cultural immersion, it comes up short—and you're left wanting more than it has time to give. 🎙️[b] Pros: [/b] [list] [*] Strong voice acting and tone. The Kosher Edition upgrades add fully voiced dialogue (complete with spoken prayers and rabbinic cadences), jazz‑tinged background music, and well-delivered performances that elevate the experience. [*] Mature moral themes. Tackles faith, guilt, tradition vs. modernity through Rabbi Stone’s interrogation of suspects and community. You actively weigh your beliefs while investigating as you are faced with hard questions about forgiveness, charity, and legacy. [*] Compact, dialogue‑driven puzzles. The clue‑combining mechanic and “rabbinical response” puzzles (answering questions with questions) bring unique flavor, with investigation based on reasoning over pixel-hunting or inventory juggling. [/list] [b]🔯 Cons: [/b] [list] [*] Just too short. Clocking in at just 1–2 hours, there’s barely time for emotional connection or weighty resolution. You might reach the end feeling the hints at bigger thematic scope were cut off before they could land. [*] Ritual depth feels surface‑level. Though it touches on Jewish rituals and faith conflicts, it rarely digs deeper than surface symbolism. the game is short, but I would have liked to seen more nuance or explanation for full immersion. [*] Visual & UI limitations. Even the Kosher Edition retains a low 640×480 resolution with dated static backgrounds and minimal animation. While retro charm is intended, to some players, it distracts more than it immerses. [*] Limited replay value. Your choices lead to a few different endings, but the core gameplay and dialogue rarely shift. Multiple playthroughs feel like toggling a switch rather than revealing fresh narrative layers. [/list]

Honestly Wish it Was Longer.

It is an interesting story. I am no jew but enjoyed dialog.

I liked it, a very short but engaging murder mystery!

This seemed like a student project. The design was clumsy, the story did not work, and the experience was generally unrewarding.

I'd like to thank this game for introducing me to adventure game creators like Dave Gilbert, Ben Chandler et al. I nabbed this on a whim when it was on sale for literally pennies a few years ago and this short game reignited my interest in point & click adventures and I have since *devoured* every game made by the same people.