The Procession To Calvary | PS4 Review

Blasphemy! BlaSpHeMy!! BLASPHEMY!!! Now that I have that out of the way ... What is "The Procession To Calvary" other than sacrilegious blasphemy? Well, it's a point and click adventure of Monty Python-esque proportions. A rudely applied renaissance-like take on the period of religious turmoil as seen during the Holy Wars, and the time of Christ. A darkly comedic journey through a conjoined collage of well crafted stages and settings comprised of paintings with portraits of people animated within as a part of some twisted theatrical paper thin puppet play. A deeply disturbing satire with a reflection on human history, and humanity itself through the most negative of perspectives. All while playing out to the tune of classical music, and opera from famous composers. 

If you've ever played a point and click adventure you will know it's mostly about searching for hidden clues, and items that can be applied to puzzles to forward a narrative or plot. In "The Procession To Calvary" this formula is no different. Through a select few areas of interest made up like a Frankensteined masterpiece ripped from various paintings in an art museum you will be tasked with conversing with key characters while searching for items that those characters need or desire. Sometimes items will also be used to interact with the environmental set pieces as well as creatures of interest allowing further exploration, and continued storytelling. The thing that makes this particular point and click adventure stand out the most though is the multiple choice questions, and events that you'll happen upon during your conversations with NPCs. That, and your option to take a violent path with the protagonist's sword or a more subtle means. Both of which will effect the ending. 

In the way of plot you are given a basic story, or goal. You play as an armored shield and sword toting maiden who is trying to keep up her murder spree. Something she doesn't want to give up. It seems the Holy Wars have ended as Immortal John usurped the throne of Heavenly Peter. In doing so Immortal John swore off violence in an exchange for open acceptance of everyone. This doesn't bode well for our murderous maiden, and she sets out on an unofficial quest to kill the escaped Heavenly Peter. Along her journey she runs into all sorts of people. Some of the most miserable human beings you ever laid eyes on. That as well as Christ and the Devil who each play a crucial role in the protagonist's search for her final murder victim. 

As the controlling player you point, and click the previously mentioned female protagonist where she needs to go, and through three options that include look, speak, and interact you will direct her to do what needs to be done to progress the story. The story itself is told mainly through the protagonist's conversations with key characters. It is through these Q&A multiple choice chats that you will figure out where you need to go to find out what you need to get beyond those roadblocks in the given plot. It's fairly straightforward, but the puzzles are challenging enough, and offer the gamer several hours worth of entertainment that can be saved at any point using the game's save feature. Both your item inventory, and the save feature can be accessed by directing the pointer, or arrow to the top of the screen. It will bring down inventory boxes with the items you've collected, and will allow you to extract those items, and place them on the interactive NPCs or set pieces they belong to by clicking on them, and dragging them to those things on the screen. Point and click is the name of the game.

The Verdict ...

Being the religious sort that I am I do recognize the blasphemy in regards to Christ, and his life. It does bother me to a point. I will be fair in saying that the game is designed incredibly well considering what the game's developer was going for. The fusing of paintings, and the painting's subjects is done seamlessly. In fact it's animated quite well as well. The sound effects, and classical music all heighten the mood of the story being told. Breathing life into the painting constructed world in such a way that is admirable. 

During my playthrough I found no bugs, and no issues at all. It's a quality experience for what it is if you can get past the religious context. As is I will not recommend it from a moral standpoint, but will say the developer did good with what they created. I've personally never played a point and click game that was this artistically interesting.