Murder in the Abbey (**** out of four) is a just-released, stylish murder/mystery/adventure game that’s a delight to play. The game balances the murders, the mysteries and the adventures in an adventure game environment.

The setting of the game is a remote abbey, and the storyline revolves around an unusual death of the gatekeeper monk, who died when an incense burner fell on his head. Was it just an accident, or was it a murder? You play the part of Leonardo, a monk renown for his wisdom, knowledge, perception and his ability to judge human character. Leonardo has been called by the Vatican to journey to the abbey and investigate the murder. Leonardo himself is rumored to guard a dark secret, and on his way to the Abbey an attempt was made on his life. Someone doesn’t want him there to investigate the murder. Your job in the game is to control the actions of Leonardo and help him find the murderer and unearth the mystery. Are the attempt on Leonardo’s life, his dark secret and the murder related? You’ll need to play the game to find out.

As you explore the Abbey, you need to pick up any item not bolted down and keep it in your inventory, You’re sure to need each of the items in the inventory, whether for use by itself or combined with another item. For example, you’ll need to gather gunpowder, a wick and candle to blow the lock off a door to gain entrance to a building. Doesn’t sound quite like something a monk should be doing--but hey, it’s just a game.

You will also encounter other monks as you explore, and you’ll need to engage them in conversation. Keep notes and compare their stories, for all is not always what it seems. For instance, when you (Leonardo) question the abbey’s abbot about the abbey’s library (which seems to contain clues about the murder), the abbot initially refuses to let Leonardo explore there. This refusal is backed up by Segundo, the abbey’s prior, whose tight discipline seems to hold sway. Allegedly, the contents of the library are too sacred to allow anybody but the librarian or the abbot to enter.

Leonardo has brought with him a novice monk, Bruno, to take up residence at the abbey and help when needed. Other characters you meet are Arcadio, an ancient monk who is the abbey’s gardener, and who seems to know far more then he lets on by faking a senile act; Egidio, the substitute gatekeeper who worries a similar murderous fate might befall him; Eladio, a healer who runs the hospital and is a keen observer of goings on at the abbey; Marcello, head librarian who jealously watches over his books and also his assistant librarian, Godfried, who is afraid of his own shadow, and Thomas, one of the scribes; also Martin, the cook, Nicholas, the blacksmith and others. They are a colorful lot and fun to interact with as you sort out good and evil intentions.

You’ll have your work cut out for you in Murder in the Abbey because there are 1,000 scenes in 60 locations to explore, countless items to find and put in inventory to use, numerous puzzles to solve and some brainpower to apply to crack the case.

The game is the creation of a German game development company, Crimson Cow. The backgrounds are beautifully detailed in 2D and add much to the game. The animated characters are displayed in 3D. Animation is of the Saturday morning cartoon style and is adequate, but what really makes the game appealing are the characters. Each character is nicely acted by the voice talent, and each one develops a distinct personality. You can easily become interested in what they are doing and, of course, how they can help with the investigation of the murder and mysteries by aiding you in including or excluding suspects.

The beautiful original musical score is performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and provides just the right feel for the religious and mysterious setting and adds quite a bit to the overall enjoyment of playing the game.

Game play is typical for the mystery adventure style of gaming. Click on a spot in the scene and Leonardo walks over to that spot. A left click on an object or character may give a brief description such as "rope, pull to ring bell," or "Nazario, the grand inquisitor." Right click on the rope, for instance, and Leonardo pulls the rope to ring the bell to call the gatekeeper to open the gate. Right click on a character and you will engage that character in a conversation in which you can choose which questions to ask the character.

For help, Leonardo keeps a diary that you can access to jog your memory about past events. A map is also available to help you navigate the abbey’s many locations faster. Mostly you’ll have to depend on your powers of investigation to solve the mysteries. And if you get badly stuck you can always download the optional ($9.99) official strategy and solution guide at www.adventuregame-solutionguides.com.