Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

Plot synopsis:
The game begins in Gabriel's store, St. George's Books, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having suffered a recurring nightmare, Gabriel learns from his assistant, Grace, that his friend Mosely has photos for him to help him with his book based on a spate of killings across New Orleans, dubbed the "Voodoo Murders", mostly because the killings have Louisiana Voodoo overtones. During his visit to the police station, Gabriel discovers his friend is attending another similar murder at Lake Pontchartrain. While there, Gabriel and Mosley spot Malia Gedde, an African-American socialite, pull up to the crime scene. Gabriel becomes infatuated with her, and later has Grace determine where she lives, posing as Mosely to meet her. Gabriel also investigates the voodoo angle of the murders, tracking down more information on a partial pattern, and any snake scales that could be matched with one found at the scene. During his investigations, Gabriel meets a number of individuals connected to the voodoo scene, including a voodoo museum's curator, Dr. John, and a member of a French Creole family. He also meets with a Professor Hartridge at Tulane University, who, upon being shown a reconstruction of the pattern from the crime scene made from additional partials from the other murders, identifies it as a vévé that is used in Voodoo. Hartridge agrees to examine and do more research to discover its origins while Gabriel continues his work.
Mosely brings in a known crook and drug addict named Crash to interrogate for information on the murders, but learns nothing of use. Gabriel manages to get information from Crash after spying him visit a rada drummer in Jackson Square, where he learns that the murders are connected to a Voodoo Cartel. Before he can learn more, Crash dies, forcing Gabriel to look elsewhere for information. To his annoyance, Gabriel learns that Mosley has ended the investigation, claiming it was the work of gangsters from Chicago, though he knows otherwise. Gabriel forces him to reopen the case after recovering plenty of information proving the voodoo element of the murders is real. He demonstrates that the cartel is a threat by showing him a newspaper article from 1810 that describes a murder done in the same manner. He convinces him that the group killed Hartridge because he had uncovered information on the reconstructed vévé; and evidence was found linking Dr. John to the murders - a scale from the python in his museum. Mosley soon disappears, suspecting the cartel might have influence on the police, after learning no-one would help him. Gabriel confirms this chilling truth when he goes to Mosley's office to retrieve a tracking device.
During his investigation, Gabriel learns more about his family while visiting his grandmother. He learns that they originally came from Germany, that his grandfather changed his name, and that his grandfather mentioned something called Schattenjäger. His grandfather's original name helps Gabriel realize that a man named Wolfgang Ritter is a long lost relative; this prompts him to call him. Ritter invites Gabriel to come to Germany, but, after learning that the cartel is having a meeting in the Bayou St. John, he decides to pursue matters in New Orleans first. Gabriel, in disguise, tracks the location of the meeting in the swamp and discovers the cartel is headed by Malia. He realizes that she is possessed by a Loa spirit named Tetelo, who identifies him as a witch-hunter. Gabriel is rescued by Grace before anything can happen to him. Later he calls Ritter about what he has found out. He soon learns that "Schattenjäger" comes from two words meaning "Shadow Hunter", a sort of modern-day inquisitor, and that his family has been involved in it. Worse, Tetelo stole a talisman of immense power from one of Gabriel's ancestors. She had it hidden with her remains, after she was discovered to have been involved in voodoo murders centuries ago, and was burned to death as a result. Unable to find her remains in the Gedde's family tomb in New Orleans, Gabriel travels to Bavaria, Germany to meet Ritter and to research the second possible location where her remains were taken.
In Germany, at Schloss Ritter, the family's home, he meets a German woman named Gerde who tells him that, shortly before Gabriel's arrival, Wolfgang disappeared after visiting his library. She has no idea of its location in the house. Searching the building for it, Gabriel undergoes an initiation ritual for Schattenjägers hoping that it will help him find it. During that night's sleep, he is visited in his dreams by a dragon who initiates him, passing onto him the mantle of Schattenjäger. In the morning, Gabriel discovers the library is attached to Wolfgang's bedroom. He learns from the books that Tetelo's remains are hidden in Benin in a snake mound of a "wheel within a wheel". Travelling to Africa, Gabriel ventures into the snake mound when, upon solving a puzzle, he finds himself dodging mummies. He meets Wolfgang, who helps him to get into the inner chamber of the mound where the pair attempt to open a sacrificial table. In the process, Wolfgang is killed, leaving Gabriel angry at Tetelo and swearing vengeance on the spirit.
Returning to New Orleans, Gabriel learns, from a note left by Malia, that Grace has been kidnapped. In the note, Malia urges him to leave New Orleans or face being killed. Meeting with Mosely at his book store, the pair learn the cartel's power is strong, but decide to shut them down. Gabriel travels to the location he believes their hounfour, a sort of voodoo temple, is hidden, and manages to find Grace. Using disguises, Gabriel interrupts the cartel's latest ritual, and wards off Tetelo, destroying a stone idol that powers the Gedde tribe. During this moment, Gabriel becomes torn between fulfilling his duty as a Schattenjäger, or saving Malia.
The game can end in two ways. If Gabriel fulfills his duty, he is killed by an angered Malia, and both Grace and Mosley reflect on what Gabriel did and whether it could have ended differently. If he chooses to save Malia, Tetelo tries to stop him, but Malia regains control and realizes that Tetelo is a threat, and that the cartel will do more damage if she remains, so kills herself to end the Loa's hold. Both Gabriel and Grace reflect on the former's new status and his future, before Grace notes that, although Gabriel seemed to have changed, a passing remark makes her realize she was wrong.

Tags: suspenseful, cult

Review:
Immerse yourself in this realistic psycho-thriller.
Gabriel Knight immediately made an impression on me as it was one of the few games I have been able to completely immerse myself into.I turn off all the lights and close the curtains, turn up the sound and discard my life and responsibilities for a few precious hours.A form of escapism?
most definitely, I played Gabriel Knight not just for the entertainment, but for the plot and story, I hungered for more, I wished to experience everything that Gabriel experience..
so unlike my dreary mundane life.One unique characteristic of this adventure game is its "real life" setting.
It seems the norm these days for adventure games to be set in magical fantasy cities or post apocalyptic war-zones.
In either case it certainly raises an eyebrow when you come across a game set in modern day New Orleans.
A normal city with magical properties of its own.
The unique blend of white, carribean and French influences make it unlike any other place on earth.
And this comes through in the game.
The setting  and backdrop to the drama that unfolds has a life of its own and certainly adds to the flavour of the game.The gameplay itself un folds in a somewhat pedestrian fashion and there are a great deal of questions that you must find answers too in order to unravel the plot.
However it is this pedestrian real world approach that makes the game more enjoyable.
Such attention to realism makes it all the more easier to delve into..
Certainly one of my top favourites ever!.
I am a huge fan of Adventure games (quests), the way they existed at the time when no unnecessary 3D technology was available, and people who made games counted on CONTENTS to make it worth.
This game is one of the gems (along with Monkey Island 1,2) that make me stand for the 'quest' genre, and shout for it!
;) A masterpiece, really!
I've played it again and again, and it never stops amazing me, it is so...
REAL...
I can't describe it...Now, there are rarely new samples of this genre, and if so, they tend to spread onto tons of discs, and cannot offer that kind of INVOLVING with the characters and environment, and events, that will make your hair stand on end.Just superb, you HAVE to play it!
Ohhh...
DO NOT MISS!.
The first of the series...
It's the begining...
And a great one aswell!
It isn't in the best graphics, nor the greatest sound.
Yet the perfectly written story line, the wonderfuly compsed themes and intreging characters, surley cover up for it!.
An awesome game.
This is one of my favorite computer games of all time.
The plot is great, the dialog is wonderful, and the voices are fabulous.
The voice over cast did some prime work here.
Tim Curry, one of my favorite actors, voice was perfect for the part of Gabriel with his cutting wit and vocal charm.
Garce Nakimura, played by Leah Remini, was also great for fending of Gabriel's advances and still being a great friend.
Leah unfortunately didn't star in the later two games in the series which in my view was a great loss.
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father still can make my skin craw which is no small feat for this seasoned veteran.
I have been gaming since Zork 1 and Wizardry 1 were brand new games.
I give this game a A++++.
Quite possibly the best adventure game ever made.
While the graphics look outdated now, and the music is all midi-based instead of digital, the first in the Gabriel Knight trilogy remains one of the best adventure games ever made.
I spent many months absorbed in the great story and deep characters created by Jane Jenson, the literary genius of the computer game world.
The designers got the atmosphere of New Orleans perfect for the technology of the time, and the music is astoundingly good!
If you're a fan of incredible characters and an atmosphere you can lose yourself in, check this fine piece of work out..
Absolutely fantastic!.
I bought the game years ago when it was released on 11 floppy disks, now, years later, I bought the CD talkie version and I still play it over and over again, probably every half a year.
I keep asking myself "Why?" I know all solutions to all the riddles and quests, I know all the dialogue - and still I can't stop putting that CD in my driver over and over again.
This game is absolutely magnificent and probably the best adventure game ever!
Although I liked the second part "The Beast Within" too (and totally disliked the third one!) I wish they'd make a fourth part...
in 2D, without FMV and without 3D graphics!
What wonderful 2D(!) games must be possible these days when you look at todays (mainly 3D) games?But let's get back to GK:SOTF.
Years ago I was so amazed by the beautiful animations, the complex story and the score.
Sierra put a lot of effort in this and I hope so dearly that we see such beautiful 2D games again in future...
when we all got sick of hi-realistic 3D rendering.
That would be my biggest game-related dream: Gabriel Knight 4 in 2D just like part one...
with the same voice cast :-)Parents please keep in mind, that GK is definitely no game for children.
Sometimes it becomes pretty gory and bloody.
But everybody who's no afraid of a few litres of pixelblood will have a wonderful time.If you've never played this game, GO AND DO IT!!!.
It`s almost the greatest.
It`s old and rusty, but still one of the greatest adventure game of all times.
The interesting plot, clever dialogs, all fits perfectly.
The only bad thing about it it`s that it`s kinda difficult, but u can solve all problems using pure logic.
With Grim Fandango, Gabriel Knight is the greatest one..
It's old, but head and shoulders above most games today..
They don't make games like this everyday.
The original GabrielKnight mystery showed the world how to make a computer game.
Youcontrol Gabriel Knight, a budding true-crime novelist in NewOrleans.
He's caught up in the investigation of the recentVoodoo Murders with the help of his assistant, Grace Nakimura,and his buddy on the police force, Mosely.
This game is thecomplete opposite of a shoot-em-up; you must figure out themystery and try to keep Gabe's sanity.
Gather the clues, try tosave the girl, and discover Gabe's hidden past..
"I began to wonder, is this really a game?".
GK is one game that i won't ever forget for some time.
Its like  reading a dark mystery novel only YOU  become the author!
This  game is very, very long.
But its a dang good one.
Its characters are voiced over perfectly along with the correct scenery and proper music.
I still haven't had a chance to play its sequels yet.
I would hope that they are just as good.check this one out..
If you are a fan of video games, you shouldn't miss this one!.
I admit I don't play video games all that much, but my brother does like to every now and again.
When I saw that Tim Curry did the voice of Gabriel Knight I was even more interested.
As for the game itself, it is wonderful.
The plot is not always easy to follow, but for me that wasn't a bad thing, if anything it added to the fun.
Also this plot is quite a clever one, and unfolds with no problem at all.I was also impressed with Sins of the Fathers's dialogue.
Like the plot it is clever, but it is also funny, witty, smart and sophisticated.
The look of the game is also to be admired.
The colours are excellent, the characters are well-modelled and the backgrounds are great.
Also strong is the score, it is very rousing and jaunty, but also beautiful and haunting at the same time.The characters and voice work are also a big part of why Sins of the Fathers works so well.
Gabriel himself is roguish, charming and handsome, with cool lines and asides.
Tim Curry, who I have loved for goodness knows how long, does a perfect job voicing him.
The other characters are equally engaging and voiced very well by the likes of Mark Hamill and Leah Ramini.All in all, if you love video games, Sins of the Father is almost something of a requirement if you haven't played it already.
Also, check out the sequels, they are just as good, if not better, the third is my personal favourite of the whole series.
10/10 Bethany Cox