Review: Pentiment is an outstanding tale of monks, mystery and murder

videogameschronicle.com:

In Pentiment, all is not as it seems. The word itself refers to images buried beneath images; remnants of earlier work that can still be seen through the newer paint on top.

In Obsidian’s narrative adventure that takes on a literal relevance – the tale revolves around an illustrator in 1518, constantly tinkering with a would-be masterpiece – but also serves as a handy metaphor for a mystery that soon engulfs the artist’s life. What is a crime story if not the gradual reveal of truths lurking below the surface detail?

Pigeonholing Pentiment as a murder mystery is over-simplifying what the creators have achieved, though. You play as Andreas Maler, a manuscript illustrator in a monastery in Tassing, located in rural Bavaria.

When the grim reaper strikes in the cloisters Maler is pulled in as an impromptu investigator, but this is hardly a medieval Ace Attorney. Much less shouting, for one. Not really the done thing in a house of god.

There is evidence collecting and lead following, sure, but also a ticking clock hanging over proceedings. A lawman is on his way and expects answers on his arrival, meaning the work is rushed and you are doomed to an imperfect investigation.

This isn’t a criticism, but a tempering of expectations. Come to Pentiment expecting black-and-white detective work with a tidy right/wrong answer and you’ll feel hurried and unsatisfied. I’ll admit, this was my initial mindset and it took a few hours to lock into the pace and tone of the story.

Elements click together when you realise that the murder is an invitation to pry into the lives of the monks, their neighbouring nuns and the nearby villagers. While time is limited, you’re free to explore Tassing and the game is explicit about events that move the clock