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Completed Let's play: The Shivah (Finished)

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,376
Location
Djibouti
The Shivah is a noir-ish indie adventure game developed by some chap named Dave Gilbert, who is, apparently, completely unrelated to Ron Gilbert (or at least he claims so). In the game, we take control of one Rabbi Stone, who is a SHEPHERD of souls, if you get my drift :smug: Expect intrigue, crime, collar-grabbing and general JUDEN ahead.

Shivah0001.jpg


Shivah0002.jpg


Shivah0003.jpg


Shivah0004.jpg


The few stars visible looked lonely and desperate

I could relate

Sometimes the line between salvation and damnation is a mighty fine one

I no longer knew which side I stood on

There are those who would say that I had no business being here

They might be right. I'm no longer sure what I'm doing. But I'm fairly sure I know who I am.

Shivah0013.jpg


Shivah0014.jpg


Shivah0016.jpg


Shivah0017.jpg


josh1.jpg
L'et na'asah v'cheftzo kol (this guy is voiced by the dev himself)

josh1.jpg
Azai Melech, sh'mo nikra

Shivah0020.jpg


As I had hundreds of times before this, I got ready to speak

And, as I had hundreds of times before this, I began to wonder why

Shivah0023.jpg


Shivah0024.jpg


Shivah0025.jpg


stone1.jpg
Today in my sermon, I'd like to discuss suffering (DISCUSS!!!!)

stone1.jpg
Why do bad things happen to good people?

stone1.jpg
Wherever there is pain or oppression or poverty

stone1.jpg
The question is always the same... "How could God let this happen?". Is God as good as we think?

stone1.jpg
Can he, in fact, do evil? Maybe on occasion, he even enjoys inflicting pain?

Shivah0034.jpg


Shivah0035.jpg


Shivah0036.jpg


stone1.jpg
I...

and then it hit me

stone1.jpg
No. I can't do this

Shivah0041.jpg


Shivah0042.jpg


stone1.jpg
You heard. Go Home, mrs Raimer.

Is it over already?

stone1.jpg
Yeah.

josh2.jpg
Rabbi Stone, wait!

josh2.jpg
You can't just stop!

Shivah0049.jpg


josh2.jpg
But...

stone2.jpg
It's OVER, Josh.

josh2.jpg
You can't mean that!

stone1.jpg
Look, you're a good kid, you've got a good voice and a good future. Don't let me hold you back. Now do a Mitzvah and call Mrs Raimer a cab.

josh2.jpg
I...

Shivah0057.jpg


Shivah0058.jpg


Shivah0059.jpg


Shivah0060.jpg


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stone1.jpg
Services are cancelled, go away.

*Knock Knock*

stone2.jpg
I said, GO AWAY.

*knock knock*

stone1.jpg
Fine, I'm coming.

Shivah0067.jpg


Shivah0068.jpg


Shivah0069.jpg


stone1.jpg
Tell 'em to get lost, there's no service tonight.

josh2.jpg
No, it's uhm... a cop.

stone1.jpg
Huh?

Shivah0073.jpg


Shivah0074.jpg


cop.jpg
Could I talk to you for a second, Rabbi Stone?

Shivah0076.jpg
Sarcastic response taken

stone4.jpg
It's a free country...

cop.jpg
Yeah, yeah. Everyone's a comedian. Can you talk or not?

Shivah0080.jpg


Shivah0081.jpg


stone1.jpg
What can I do for you?

stone4.jpg
I assume you're not here to convert?

cop.jpg
Are you familiar with a mr Jack Lauder?

stone5.jpg
No, should I be?

cop.jpg
I'm asking the questions, Rabbi.

stone1.jpg
Fine, let me think.

stone5.jpg
Lauder... Lauder... Oh.

cop.jpg
You know him?

stone1.jpg
Yeah

cop.jpg
What can you tell me about him?

stone1.jpg
He used to belong to this congregation.

cop.jpg
Used to, but not anymore?

stone1.jpg
No, left about 8 years ago, I think. What's this about?

cop.jpg
Have you had any contact with him?

stone1.jpg
No, I haven't. Care to fill me in, here?

cop.jpg
Do you read the papers?

Shivah0101.jpg


stone5.jpg
Who has the time?

cop.jpg
So you're not aware that Jack Lauder has been dead for three days?

I did my best to control myself. I knew this man's type, his eyes scanned me like a barcode reader, trying to read every telltale sign of emotion. Any flicker, any twitch, could be used against me later.

stone3.jpg
No.

cop.jpg
Doesn't that bother you?

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Should it?

cop.jpg
Answer me, Stone.

stone1.jpg
No.

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So, you and Lauder weren't close.

stone1.jpg
No, we weren't. What's the deal, Durkin?

cop.jpg
I've seen Lauder's will. He left you a significant amount of money.

Shivah0113.jpg


stone4.jpg
Huh?

cop.jpg
You heard me.

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How much?

cop.jpg
I don't have the exact amount, but somewhere in the excess of ten thousand.

stone4.jpg
Bull. Jack wouldn't give me bubkis, let alone ten thousand dollars.

cop.jpg
And why is that, Rabbi Stone?

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... He just wouldn't.

cop.jpg
Hm. The temple is in pretty bad shape, isn't it, Rabbi?

stone4.jpg
Well, you're not blind, that's for sure.

cop.jpg
Can you afford the repairs?

Shivah0130.jpg


stone4.jpg
Do I LOOK like I can afford it?

cop.jpg
I'm just asking.

stone2.jpg
(RAEG MODE!!!) Oh, you're just ASKING? Well, I ASK you to leave. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. Get out of my office.

cop.jpg
Listen...

stone2.jpg
No, YOU listen. I know where this is going, and I don't like it

cop.jpg
I'm just doing my job.

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Yeah, you're a real mensch. Now get out of here.

cop.jpg
Fine. But I'll be back

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But I could only hear one thing. "Jack Lauder", "Jack Lauder". The name pulled out a cork in my brain, letting loose old thoughts and memories that fought and struggled for supremacy. Jack Lauder. It was more than just a name. It was a link to a time when things were simpler. A time when I thought I had it all figured out. A time when morals and ethics meant something. A time before it all turned to crap.

Shivah0157.jpg


After this, we finally regain control. Let's leave the office and check out the temple.

Shivah0158.jpg


I thought I told that fag to leave.

josh1.jpg
Wow, rabbi. What was that all about?

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Truthful response.

stone1.jpg
The detective just had some questions for me. That's all

josh1.jpg
Who was killed?

stone1.jpg
What did I tell you about listening at my door?

josh1.jpg
I wasn't, Rabbi. Honest! You were just very loud. So who was killed, was it that Lauder guy?

Shivah0171.jpg


Grudging response.

stone1.jpg
Hrmpf. We must have talked VERY loud.

josh1.jpg
Well, yeah. So who is he?

stone1.jpg
An old member of the congregation

josh1.jpg
Ah, that's too bad

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Yeah, well. It happens to all of us.

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Are you gonna pay a shivah call? (The shivah is a Jewish kind of mourning)

stone1.jpg
I don't think there will be a shivah, Josh. Shivahs are for Jewish families. Just forget it.

josh1.jpg
Alright, if that's what you want. I guess I'll go now, night Rabbi.

stone1.jpg
Yeah, good night, Cantor.

Shivah0187.jpg


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Less than twenty minutes ago, I accepted defeat. The bank was going to foreclose on the property, and there was nothing I could do. Jack's money changed all that. The B'Nai Ben-Zion synagogue could remain open. I wouldn't have to see my life's work turn into a parking lot or shopping mall

stone1.jpg
Has God answered my prayers?

The age old question. What is the work of God, and what is the work of man? The money was a boon, there was no doubt about that. But it was blood money, and I couldn't believe God would work that way.

stone1.jpg
I don't like it. Not one bit. Why Jack? Why me? Why now?

They say God helps those who help themselves, and I had done absolutely nothing to get this money. I didn't trust it. Suddenly, the cantor's words came back to me.

stone1.jpg
A shivah call...

stone5.jpg
I can't just barge in unannounced. But I can pay a shivah call.

stone1.jpg
It's the only way...

Right, good lord, that was a lot of typing, but it was an introduction, so these are always big. I guess I'll cut down on the amount of dialogue later (or the game will do it for me, because I'll post smaller updates with less content).

Also, do note that I probably won't be updating this as often as Horde, because a) I won't have as much free time now as I had before, and b) this game is rather short, and I don't want to finish LPing it in a week or so.
 
Last edited:

Erebus

Arcane
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
4,760
Looks interesting. Certainly has an unusual hero : you don't often get to play a middle-aged rabbi in an adventure game !
 

Wyrmlord

Arcane
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
28,886
Shivah0171.jpg


*looks at options given*

Alpha Protocol - the Jewish adventure?

Well it's certainly awesome to know where Obsidian got its idea from...
 

asper

Arcane
Joined
Nov 14, 2007
Messages
2,206
Project: Eternity
Except that in the Shivah such options are rare, most of the dialogues occur in traditional fashion. Also, those options are not 'summaries' of what the caracter is going to say, like in Mass Effect, but only indicate the tone and style.

The game is very good by the way, it has a nice atmosphere, and even some C&C. It's a little bit short though.
 

ghostdog

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
11,076
Looks pretty interesting, keep it up darth. Also, WTF is that "Π" and that Jewish star we see on the screen ?
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,376
Location
Djibouti
ghostdog said:
Looks pretty interesting, keep it up darth. Also, WTF is that "Π" and that Jewish star we see on the screen ?

the 'Π' thingy is the mouse pointer, the star of David is the pointer changing into an hourglass :P
 

KickAss

Augur
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
508
Location
rpgcodex.net
ghostdog:
×—×™
means "alive" in hebrew. it also represents the number 18, which is an important number in judaism (have no idea why)

(if you read this, you are considered a jew - sorry!)
 

DarkUnderlord

Professional Throne Sitter
Staff Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2002
Messages
28,335
asper said:
Except that in the Shivah such options are rare, most of the dialogues occur in traditional fashion. Also, those options are not 'summaries' of what the caracter is going to say, like in Mass Effect, but only indicate the tone and style.
HOLY SHIT SHIVAH BROUGHT A NEW STYLE OF DIALOGUE TO GAMES.
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,376
Location
Djibouti
Welcome back! Yeah, I know I was supposed to update less, but it's weekend after all, and I don't have much to do.

Last time we left Rabbi Stone, he was informed about one Jack Lauder, who died recently and had left him helluva money.

Shivah0212.jpg


Let's start by checking the diplomas on the wall.

Shivah0216.jpg


It read: If statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the milky way. Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of - Mark Twain, 1899

Shivah0218.jpg


stone5.jpg
Has it really been thirty years...?

Shivah0220.jpg


It reads: This is to certify that Russell Elijah Stone has been granted the title of RABBI by B'Nai Brith Yesheva on the date of June 23, 1970.

After that, we check the computer on the desk.

Shivah0224.jpg


He claimed I needed to join the 21st century and connect with the community. Josh has been bugging me to start using it. I suppose now was as good a time as any. If only I could remember what Josh chose as my login and password...

Shivah0228.jpg


Where Jews connect! This sure is a kvlt site. Well, what can be the login? Good question. Let's browse through Stone's pockets.

Shivah0213.jpg


As you can see, there is an inventory here. We'll be using it a grand amount of two times in the whole game. This is the first one.

Anyway, Stone carries around a Jewish dictionary:

Shivah0214.jpg


And his business card

Shivah0215.jpg


rstone@ravnetNY.com is our login, then.

Shivah0229.jpg


Goddamn computor wants password too?! Well, let's use the CLUE option.

Shivah0230.jpg


Busybody... according to the dictionary, it should be YENTA.

Shivah0231.jpg


Voilla!

Let's start with a Jewish joke, eh?

Moishe was talking to his psychiatrist. "I had a weird dream recently", he said. "I saw my mother, but then I noticed he had your face. I found this so worrying that I awoke immediately, and couldn't get back to sleep. I just stayed there thinking about it until 7 am. I got up, got myself a slice of toast and some coffee and came straight here. Can you please help me explain the meaning of this dream?" The psychiatrist kept silent for some time, then said, "One slice of toast and coffee? Do you call that a breakfast?".

BA-DA-DUM-DISH!

After that, we check the mail:

Shivah0236.jpg


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Pfff, shameless self-advertisement.

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It would appear Stone really is in a financial crisis (money problems? And he really calls himself a Jew?), and his preachings seem to have a tone so somber, that they scare away his flock.

Shivah0247.jpg


Let's search for some info on Jack Lauder.

Shivah0248.jpg


Gah, the lower resolution texts in the computer sure are nearly unreadable. Anyway, there's contact info there

Shivah0249.jpg


And some stuff about his death

Shivah0250.jpg


Nothing else to do here, so we leave the office.

Shivah0251.jpg


And examine the large tapesty with the star of David

This cabinet was converted into a makeshift Torah ark after the last one was stolen in 1996.

Let's leave this god-forsaken synagogue.

Shivah0255.jpg


The map.

Shivah0256.jpg


Our destination.

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stone1.jpg
I heard about your husband. I came to... pay my respects.

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Oh, you knew Jack?

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Does one need to know a man in order to grieve him?

lauder3.jpg
That's a... I suppose not. All right, come on in.

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I'm sorry, you look so familiar, but I can't place your face. What is your name?

If I wanted answers, she'd have to know who I was. This required tact.

Shivah0273.jpg


And tact he did:

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I'm Russell Stone

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Your husband used to... I mean, we used to go to the same temple. That I go to. Yeah.

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... Oh.

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I remember now!

She doesn't appear amused.

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You have a lot of nerve coming here!

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stone5.jpg
Why do you think that, mrs Lauder?

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Oh, don't give me THAT. I know all about those tricks. "Answering a question with a question". Jack did it all the time.

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I'd like to think he learned it from me.

lauder2.jpg
It's too late for that, Rabbi. Way too late. What do you want?

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stone5.jpg
Do I need to have a reason to pay a shivah call?

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If it's you? Yes!

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I...

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Oh stop it, just STOP it!

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lauder2.jpg
And NOW you drop by for a visit?

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It wasn't like that...

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Well, what was it then? Can you tell me that?

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...

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Maybe you're right. And yet, you're here. Why?

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Why would the police come speak to me, mrs Lauder?

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I have no idea. What did they say?

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That I'm suspect number one.

lauder2.jpg
Really? Well, that would make sense. Who else has a motive except for a Rabbi who hates us?

Shivah0319.jpg


stone5.jpg
Why do you think I hate you, mrs Lauder?

lauder2.jpg
ENOUGH! Do you have to do that here? Now? There's a time and place, Rabbi. And this is not it.

stone1.jpg
Look, I don't hate...

lauder2.jpg
Whatever! Jack hated you, that's enough.

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Mrs Lauder, if he hated me so much.

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lauder1.jpg
... That's impossible!

stone1.jpg
I said the same thing

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It's a crazy world.

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How do you know for sure?

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The police told me. I have no love for the police, but I doubt they'd lie about that.

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Mrs Lauder, if Jack hated me so much, why did he give me so much money?

lauder1.jpg
I... I don't know!

lauder3.jpg
This makes no sense! None of it does! Who would kill Jack? He was a good man...

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Yes... he was.

Real smooooooooth, Rabbi.

lauder1.jpg
Don't you start, you have no idea.

stone5.jpg
The police have no other leads?

lauder1.jpg
Aside from you? No.

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How did he die?

lauder1.jpg
I don't see how that's any of your business.

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I... well,

Shivah0354.jpg


stone1.jpg
And I'd like to help.

lauder1.jpg
Help? Why would YOU want to help?

stone1.jpg
I don't know, maybe I...

Shivah0360.jpg


stone1.jpg
Maybe I'm looking to make amends for what happened eight years ago

lauder1.jpg
Oh, that's rich. You come in here, puffed-up and arrogant and sputtering platitudes, and now you want to help?

stone1.jpg
Yes, if you'll have me...

lauder2.jpg
Forget it! Keep the ten grand, I don't care! Just get out! I don't want to see or hear from you ever again.

See? Typical womyn behaviour. You offer help, and they get all emo
16htbi1.png


stone1.jpg
But...

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LEAVE! Or so help me, I WILL call the police!

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... as you wish. I'm sorry to have troubled you, mrs Lauder.

lauder2.jpg
Just go.

Shivah0377.jpg


Uh... oops?

Shivah0378.jpg


Eventually, she made good on her threat to call the police. With my suspicious behaviour, and my dubious connections to Jack, they wasted no time in arresting me for the murder.

I can't help but wonder... what if I could go back and have that conversation again? And if wishes were wings, we'd all be flying


Yup, this means GAME OVER, and it happens when you choose the wrong dialogue options in conversation with mrs Lauder (especially that great bluff check about where Stone met Jack).

Choices and consequences, BITCH!

Shivah0384.jpg


Oh, but you will know. Right after I come back with another update later!
 
Last edited:

JarlFrank

I like Thief THIS much
Patron
Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
33,003
Location
KA.DINGIR.RA.KI
Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag.
Clockwork Knight said:
They arrested him like that? For asking the guy's wife about the ten grand? Manhattan sure is a shitty place

It's because he's a jew. Everyone likes to have even the smallest reason to arrest a jew.
 

Erebus

Arcane
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
4,760
Wow, that's a pretty unforgiving game ! But at least, it doesn't waste time in telling you you screwed up.
 

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