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100% kosher.

The Shivah, an original and mature adventure game with a New York Rabbi investigating the killing of an ex-member of his synagogue, now with highly enhanced pixel-art graphics, is available on GOG.com for only $4.99.

For any Jew, it's a great mitzvah to visit the house of a departed acquaintance during the week of mourning--the Shivah, and pay respect to the avels. But when you are a Rabbi, it's more than that: it's a duty. Especially, if the deceased unexpectedly left you a large sum of money, even though you didn't part ways in friendship. If the police suspects you had something to do with a murder, it would be meshugge not to try and clear your name. But when you are a Rabbi, it's more than that: it's a duty. Your synagogue looks up to you, after all. They may like you, or not. They may respect you, or not. They may listen to you, or not, but there must be no doubt in their minds that you are a good Jew. It's natural for any man to ponder upon the nature of morality and reassess the important things in life, when faced with a dark mystery and a gruesome death. But when you're a Rabbi, it's more than that. It's a duty. You have to face your doubts and fears before you help others to do so. Yes, life isn't easy at all. But when you are a Rabbi, it comes with some extra challenges.

The Shivah is a point-and-click title designed by Dave Gilbert of Wadjet Eye Games, one of the modern adventure game power-houses. Initially executed in Adventure Game Studio it received a lot of praise from both gamers and gaming media, despite the simplistic visuals of the original 2006 version. It was welcomed as a mature and thought-provoking experience, as well as an unique insight into the contemporary Jewish culture. Pair that with a gripping, non-linear crime story and you've got a title unlike any other. Now, seven years after its initial release, this intriguing title is making a comeback, in the so called "Kosher Edition", sporting higher resolution pixel-art graphics made from scratch to make the game look as good as we came to expect from Wadjet Eye titles. MP3 soundtrack included!

As Rabbi Russell Stone attend The Shivah of Jack Lauder, and solve the mystery of his untimely death, while facing some of your own demons, for as little as $4.99 on GOG.com.
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BananaJane: Should I be jewish to enjoy the game?
I think I'd not be able to understand anything that's going on in the plot.
Everything is explained, one way or another, within the game :)

I am not Jewish myself but I didn't feel lost at all when playing. Hope that helps :)
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BananaJane: What's kosher about this?
It's a game not a food
Kosher has two meanings one is the food related one meaning that the food or item in question meets the standards set by the kashrut which is the Jewish dietary law and the second meaning "genuine and legitimate" so in this case the use of the word "Kosher" means that it's the genuine, legitimate or aboveboard. Plus it's also a bit tongue-in cheek to call the enhanced version of a game where you play a Rabbi to be called the "Kosher" edition
Post edited November 21, 2013 by DCT
Thanks! =D
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davelgil: snip
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mistermumbles: Less talking, more working on Blackwell! *cracks whip* ;)
Yes, it is the only game from that studio that is decent because the story-line is cool. I liked Primordia up until the end, the end(ings) were a disappointment. My problem with Wadjeteye is that they have yet to produce a quality game from start to finish. It seems like every time they do one thing well some other part of the game suffers for it.
The game explains the cultural concepts you need in-game. It doesn't leave you hanging high and dry, thankfully. After you play through once the developer commentary is well worth listening to. It's also fun to try any alternative paths you didn't first time around.
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mistermumbles: Less talking, more working on Blackwell! *cracks whip* ;)
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worlddan: Yes, it is the only game from that studio that is decent because the story-line is cool. I liked Primordia up until the end, the end(ings) were a disappointment. My problem with Wadjeteye is that they have yet to produce a quality game from start to finish. It seems like every time they do one thing well some other part of the game suffers for it.
they didn't make Primordia they only published it, same with Gemini Rue and Resonance
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worlddan: Yes, it is the only game from that studio that is decent because the story-line is cool. I liked Primordia up until the end, the end(ings) were a disappointment. My problem with Wadjeteye is that they have yet to produce a quality game from start to finish. It seems like every time they do one thing well some other part of the game suffers for it.
Hey, Resonance was a brillant piece!
And the only thing I don't like about Gemini Rue is combat.
Primordia was a very philosophical tale - good to think about after it ends.
Actually, I can't point any WEG game I did not enjoy.
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DCT: they didn't make Primordia they only published it, same with Gemini Rue and Resonance
Actually I believe Dave co-worked with the original authors on finishing \ fine-tuning all those games.
Post edited November 21, 2013 by Novotnus
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Fezred: The game explains the cultural concepts you need in-game. It doesn't leave you hanging high and dry, thankfully. After you play through once the developer commentary is well worth listening to. It's also fun to try any alternative paths you didn't first time around.
However I suspect that some of the "jewish jokes" you can read in the computer are funnier, or make more sense, if you have the relevant cultural background. As a goy myself, it's the only part that left me slightly confused at times. But they're more of an easter egg than a game element...
Having not looked, I wonder how much of this thread is about the main character being a religious figure and having a problem with that. (hopefully not too much)
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tfishell: Having not looked, I wonder how much of this thread is about the main character being a religious figure and having a problem with that. (hopefully not too much)
Uh. None at all, actually.

Also, the in-game rabbinic reflexions feel more philosophical than theological. I don't know if it's due to Gilbert, to Stone, or to rabbis in general (I'm lame at judaism). I found the same sort of broad philosophical outlooks (different from what I'd expect from, say, a christian priest) in Coen's "A serious man". So maybe it's a thing.
Post edited November 21, 2013 by Telika
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tfishell: Having not looked, I wonder how much of this thread is about the main character being a religious figure and having a problem with that. (hopefully not too much)
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Telika: Uh. None at all, actually.
Nice!
hmmm.. why was I not made aware of this sooner... :P
Will have to get at some point.
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Telika: Also, the in-game rabbinic reflexions feel more philosophical than theological. I don't know if it's due to Gilbert, to Stone, or to rabbis in general...
I've always had the impression that it's rabbis in general.

[edit] Whoah, did that rabbi just straight-up cap that dude in the trailer?
Post edited November 21, 2013 by mkell_226
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Telika: Also, the in-game rabbinic reflexions feel more philosophical than theological. I don't know if it's due to Gilbert, to Stone, or to rabbis in general...
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mkell_226: I've always had the impression that it's rabbis in general.

[edit] Whoah, did that rabbi just straight-up cap that dude in the trailer?
Yes he did.
Actually i don't understand the choice of putting this scene in the trailer but, hey, that's dave gilbert's decision...