The Seven Noble Kinsmen
Well, the folks at the BBC are building themselves quite a reputation. All the point-and-click games they turn out are just golden. And The Seven Noble Kinsmen is no exception; possibly their best work yet. SNK is a murder mystery in six (6) acts.
The premise is that Christopher Morton, a self-proclaimed 'genius' of Shakespeare, decided to write a play using all of Shakespeare's most famous characters: Ophelia, Othello, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, etc. Seven characters to be exact, plus himself. The play took four years in pre-production and rehearsal to complete; and on opening night everyone was very, very... disappointed. The play ultimately fell and was cancelled after about a week, all due to one reporter's highly-quoted vicious review calling the play bloated, pathetic, and only feeding Morton's ego. Well, after his play was cancelled, Morton disappeared.
Now it's five years later, and each member of that cast, plus one, has been invited to The Knell, Morton's private theatre on an island in Scotland. That one extra person is the reporter that caused the downfall to Morton's play. That reporter is you.
First things first, you must register with the site to play. But don't worry, it is painless. No e-mail address required. It is just so they can save your progress through the game, and you will indeed need to save your progress in this game.
Once you begin you will see the game's interface, which is remarkably unique. It may even seem awkward at first, but you should be able to get used to it quickly. It reminded me of the interface for The Casino, and yet a bit different still. You can pan back and forth in your direct line of sight, and when you reach one side you can turn around and face the other way. Clicking on a door lets you advance to the next room. The items shouldn't be difficult to find, as everything that you can take has a shining effect to it, and the sparkling is somewhat noticeable. One thing I really like is when I click on something a little noise sounds when a message comes up and makes me feel as if I've discovered an important clue, no matter what it is. You will see what I mean when you start playing. What I don't like, though, is that it ends the conversations every time you reach the end of a dialogue, so if you want to say something more to someone, you have to keep clicking on them until there's nothing left to say. Also, while the Shakespearian facts are interesting, when you're deeply involved and you think you've found a clue you may get a tad disappointed to see that all you have is information on costumes. While nice at first, this became annoying.
The main idea of the gameplay is that in each section you will have to find the next chapter in the SNK script, and then carry out all the tasks it lists. You will also need to find the Shakespearian quotes book, to fill in some of the missing pieces in the script. Quite a clever premise, but unfortunately the plot-line is very developed and so the puzzles have suffered as a result. The game is very easy. Maybe it will get tougher with the next installments(?). You also get a PDA with a map of The Knell, it's a very handy tool and saves all the information you collect about the characters, each of which has definite characteristics that correspond directly with the characters they play in SNK; if you know a little bit about Shakespeare you can get a bit of insight about what might be going on, it really helps. The PDA also gives you hints if you need them, which is neat.
One complaint I have is that it runs a little slowly (it's a huge adventure!), and they are releasing the game in episodic parts each week, similar to Death in Sakkara. Still another is that you can't go back and play sections you've already beaten. Sure they're short, but it would be nice to be able to replay parts as in the Sakkara game. And since you can't go back and re-play the chapters, don't overlook anything! It's easy to miss some things, so make sure you've seen everything in one room before you move on to the next! Just some friendly advice.
Well, this week we won't have to wait long for the next release. The next chapter comes out on Monday (11/14), and then each Monday thereafter.
All things considered, the game is absolutely fantastic. A great and clever plot-line, impressive graphics, and a huge amount of originality. The talented folks at the Beeb clearly put a lot of time into this... why don't you pay them back by playing it? Click.
Hi, my first time post. Well this game is very well made. But something i have noticed, it's that the scenario does seem like a novel where some peoples meets each other on an island and the one who invited them doesn't appear at all. And murders goes on with all the poeple. Does this game use this scenario? Then why does them use that? (coz now i will know what would happen even if its not in the same way the poeple die) sorry to bother you.
No doubt you're referring to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" and I expect that the storyline for SNK does not follow that one exactly.
That was great, got there in the end.... bit annoyed at having to wait for the next act tho... lol
Great game! Same thing as what Jennie said... this and that Egypt game they made are both incredible, but it drives me insane waiting for the next! Jay - one of my first times posting but you run one of the most incredible sites I visit on the net. Great job on it.
I really liked how well the page-turning in some of the books was animated. If you hold your mouse over the corner and then move it a little bit, depending on whether you move it up or down the corner turns a different way.
Anyways, I can't wait for the rest to come out.
Thanks, benjs, I appreciate that very much!
lol fun game but too easy i didn't even have to talk to anyone or read anything just point click for everything and that's that .. to much of a fuss really .. good looking and nice atmophear but still laking of ur actualy using ur brain ;(
Hey Jay, this is definitely one of the best you've posted. Great graphics and great story so far. Can't wait for the next edition!
I thought this game was great! it is annoying that you have to wait for the other acts but I am anticipating this more the the Death in Sakarrah episodes. I much prefer these types of games!
Awesome game jay, I love this site!!
Cheers, and kudos are for Derek for reviewing this one. =)
He stepped up for me since I have my hands full this week finishing a final project for the fall quarter at RIT. I'll be back in the saddle next week.
For some reason this isn't working for me. Should I just wait for it to start? All I'm getting is a black screen.
Awesome site, Jay! (again - cuz i can't stop saying it!)
Oh my goodness this game is so scary!! especially the music! good grief!! they must of done a great job!
QazzaQY2K-
Aw, C'mon, that takes half the fun out. It has a suprisingly sprawling plotline... you just have to find it. If you play it like an ordinary Point-and-Click (play just to get through), then you'll be sadly dissapointed. The fun in this one isn't just the puzzles; it's playing the game.
C'mon, spread the love.
I love it when a game has a good story! It'll be difficult waiting for the next part.
This game is awesome, even more an adventure game than Death in Sakkara! Thanks, Jay for keeping such good updates on what's available. Much appreciated for fans like me!
I enjoyed the first act, although I must admit I beat scene one without finding all four clues. I never found the clue shaped like a clock. I also found scene two a little too easy. The game overall is fun to play and the graphics and sound are good.
This game annoyed me. I started playing but then I signed out and wanted to resume later...
I signed back in and I can't play act 1, it says its completed, but i didnt even leave the first room there so i dont think i completed it.
So I created a new user there and tried to play but it still wouldnt let me play act 1.
Surely the plot is not so much Ten Little Indians/Then There Was None as Theatre of Blood (film 1973; play 2005) in which a ham actor takes his murderous revenge one by one against the critics who have lambasted him and destroyed his season of Shakespeare's plays with their sharp-penned reviews.
It ran at the National Theatre this summer with Jim Broadbent in the lead. Hardly a low-profile plot to swipe.
i really liked it, except the music's sooo depressing!! it's line across the line of "oh i'm gonna kill ya!!" so..................freakishly scary! but i absolutely j'adored Death of Sakura and Jamie Kane!! the BBC people do SUCH a fabulous JOB!!!
James-
Your knowledge of the theatre clearly runs far deeper than mine...
What's a ham acor?
Wow! Another fabulous game, Jay. Your site amazes me. Now it seems that I have more mondays to mark down, as well as those for Death in Sakkara. Both games are wonderful, each different, but awesome in their own ways. I don't know if one can compare to the other. Thanks again!
Its November 14th and it looks like the second Act has yet to be activated.
Nice game. Very easy.
Chapter 2 has just been released! I played it, but there's a flaw in it, and I wasn't able to move on. When I spoke to Dame Judith Quinn, I said something that made a lot of undefined questions and answers pop up. Probably have to start again.
Finished with the second act and this is turning out to be a great game. Now I'm just going to have to keep from going crazy waiting for the next installment! Great find Jay!
I too found an oddity in this game-
I'm not sure if it's purposefull or simply a glitch of some sort.
If you click on the upper right hand corner of the screen (within the applet), it'll take you to the end of the act.
So the ending was unfortunately ruined for me... :(
Luckily though I was able to restart it without it counting as completing the act, so I was able to play it again for real.
I'm having a hard time getting in to play episode two.
It'll let me play episode one over and over again, but the button to start episode two says "Locked" on it.
Me too - I'm not sure why I can't get into the game.
I finished act 2 twice but it still doesnt say completed, did i do something wrong?? because i didnt use the flashlight, arm, or the tape did i make a mistake or just an error in the game?
Ooooh! I love this game! Second act was great. I love how the bodies are still lying around. Gives me an erie feeling each time I have to go back into the room! Yikes!
Finished the 2nd act but found 2 things interesting:
1 There is a "sparkle" on the bookcase that cannot be selected, or at least doesn't disappear when clicked.
2 Didn't find where to put the VHS tape.
3 Act 2 doesn't have a completed sign like Act 1 when I finished.
Is all this normal?
I love the game! wow! and now just waiting act 3..:)
Yea, something weird is going on. I've played Act 2 twice now and it still doesn't show it as completed ... I did miss a few things (haven't used the flashlight) but I found the "ending" and thought there were no second chances? Going for one more play now :)
Hey! I noticed something.
In act II, when you look at the seats from the stage, the guy with the scar on his eye is on the left.
Then when you go back to the theatre (below the stage), it looks as if he's on the right.
Am I right or am I wrong? It could just be that I have a bad memory, or maybe I just have a freakishly accurate one.
Either way...
Hmmm.....
Are you supposed to be able to use the VHS tape?
Is anyone else having trouble with Act One?
I have now completed Act One four times (I know this because it says "End of Act One"), but Act Two is still locked. I've checked to see if maybe it is down for maintenance, asked a friend who is also playing it if he's having trouble, logged out and in a couple of times, done a tarot reading, and consulted the bones. Actually, I do not have access to a chicken, so I skipped the bone consultation. Does anyone know what is going on?
I've had the same problem as Preston. At first I thought I might have missed something, and going back I discovered I did (after going to the dressing room, it is possible to go back to the theater and try to re-enter the dressing room, completely bypassing the study part of the game.) Either there is very careless design in letting the player complete the Act without actually having completed the Act, or there is a problem with the site recognizing the completion of Act One.
I too think this is a really good, atmospheric game.
BUT...like some others I think I have done everything possible in Act 2 (still left with flashlight and VHS, like others), and STILL shows Act 2 as UNCOMPLETED..?
Can anyone shed some light on this, as I don't want to continue having to go through Act 2 for the next release?
does anyone know what the number is for the clock on stage? in act 2
Yes, Tully...I had problems with a "completed" status on Act II as well. I did everything and got the "End of Act II" screen, but it didn't register at the main screen.
Also, I had some glitches when talking to the people. Sometimes it wouldn't refresh the room after I was done talking to the person. I had to rewind the flash player and start again.
Daph...here is a little hint for the clock puzzle...
Get the quote book in your inventory and paste the proper excerpts into the script. It will then provide some "times" to enter into the clock...
Look at the list of plays in your quote book. That should give you the final number.
I'm so stuck on Act 2. I know I'm supposed to find a crowbar but I don't know where it is. Can anyone help me?
Well, maby the completed-line is coming tomorrow when you can play the third game...?
just look in your book and use the quote book to figure it out, believe me you'll figure it out
i am having a lot of trouble getting on to the stage in act II how do i do this?
it's pretty easy, compaired to Death Of Sakura, since that one is pretty complicated to connect the stars. plus, i was really looking forward for act 3 every monday, but it's tomorrow! :( oh well, i'll post tomorrow too!
many people seem to have trouble finishing act two, as have I. even though I have played through numerous times I have yet to either find a use for
the flashlight, hand, or videotape,
or to be permitted to move on to act three.
I have tried contacting bbc, but to no avail.
anyone got any bright ideas?
The flashlight is used automatically. If you try and go down without it you just get a message that it is too dark. I think the hand is just foreshadowing the end. As for the VHS?? I have no idea! Act III is still locked for me.
if you wish to complete act II there may be one more thing you have to discover...
look for something in the dark left corner of the basement.
Although it isn't necessary to complete Act II, one of the things I noticed that I did differently between "unlock" and "no unlock" completed games was with something I found on the body of Act I's victim.
Here's a hint - DOC not CDA.
In other words, the CD's her autobiography, not music, and there's a computer in the study that can read it.
--GF
For nattie:
the flashlight is so you can see in the basement (under the rug in the study)I don't believe the hand and tape get used in this part. Perhaps they get used later on.
What finally did it for me was finding
the postcards to his mother that were in the shadows
It seems that you must find EVERYTHING to move on, but you can finish the act without knowing you've missed anything. How anoying!
I read in another forum (was quite puzzled about the whole ordeal) that you can pick up and use the video in Act 3.
Hm. Great game, but also having trouble. 'Finished' Act II (didn't use all the props but login screen says I have access to III), but III won't load for me either. Just a blank screen. Has anyone gotten Act III to work?
Ah! Never mind. I just waited 15 minutes and it loaded fine.
It's true that there's less creative thinking than in Sakkara. For example you really don't seem to use the journal/pda (except for supplementary information).
However, it is beautiful animation and a lot of fun. Thanks for posting it!
what are the categories for the books???
i have searched the internet...and apparently there is no fixed category or genre for the books!! dang!!
Anybody getting stuck after finding the second clue at the front circle? I know it reference about the wind machine but I am stuck about the parchment they hinted in the pda. Help!
Just finished Act III ... AWESOME! This just keeps gettiing better and better! No bugs, and Act III says "Completed". If you are having trouble with the book puzzle
The quote book lists the genre of each play within the first couple paragraphs
For anyone having trouble getting act III unlocked, try opening the same url in a new window, with the original window still open. That worked for me to get into act III, and then to get act III to say "completed" when I'd finished. I played II through 4 times, and III through twice before I figured this out.
As for the game, it is informative and entertaining, even if the puzzles aren't as difficult as the Sakkara game. It is shaping up to be more complex, plot-wise... by the end, we may have to pick the murderer from the remaining suspects.
In the meantime, anyone up for taking bets on the next victim?
My choice:
Archer, the maimed guy.... he's so disgruntled, he makes too obvious a choice for the murderer. If I was writing this, I'd kill him off next, to throw off that certainty.
Aw c'mon...!
I have found, used, and completed EVERY aspesct of Act II, and it STILL won't unlock Act III, despite me getting the "end of Act II" footage.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me (even found the "items" in the cellar), as I really enjoy this, but am beginning to get a bit annoyed!
Never mind, folks. It finally accepted that I had now completed Act II, and now refuses to load Act III. Ah well, this just adds to the suspense, doesn't it?
Here's to patience and understanding...and a quick download!
All the game developers reading this:
Learn the lesson. In this type of flash games you need to mention on the front page that it is recommended to clear the cache and page history between the episodes (but NOT the cookies). In this way I beleive you can avoid most of the problems when trying to open the new episode or finishing the previous one.
You are right Amor Lassie. I just received this email message from the BBC Drama team that explains the trouble and recommends the same:
- begin quoted text -
Hi Jay,
Your email has been passed on us.
We're sorry you and visitors to your site have encountered problems with the 7Nk Shakespeare Murder Mystery Game. There is a technical caching problem that we are aware of. We are currently working to remedy this problem, and hope to have this fixed it very soon.
We're very sorry for this inconvenience and thanks for their patience - and if it's any consolation we are just as frustrated with this problem as we're sure they are! - please do pass this on to your site visitors . However, in the meantime we recommend that they try logging out, clearing their browser cache, closing the browser, and then re-opening and going to the site and logging in again.
Best Wishes,
Drama Webteam
- end quoted text -
OK, I don't know whether it's just me being thick, but I can't find the clock (or is it a watch?) the item in act one which I need to give me the third number for the safe combination. I have opened the safe through trial-and-error, but I think I need to find this item to progress to the next act.
Help please...
where the heck is the cannon in part 3? i been looking for it for hours but can not find it!
if anyone needs the solution to the book genre here it is
As You Like it- Comedy
Temptest- Romance
Much Ado- Comedy
King John- History
Midnight- Comedy
Julius Cesar- Tradgedy
Richard III- History
R&J- Tradgedy
Jae- The cannon is...
its in teh backstage area. When you are on the stage in the theater turn around so that you are looking at the door back to the dressing room. Next to that door is the clock that you had to figure out for Act II and next to that is a yellowish area that when you put your mouse over it is says exit. That is the backstage area. Turn around to find it.
I need someones help. I got the book (in Act I) but what am I suppose to do with the the empty spaces? I've tried pasting words in from the previous page and typing...but it's not working. Can anyone help me with this? Pls?
Hi I have completed all the acts but I missed the postcards. What did they say? Thank You
Melati,
In order to fill the blanks in the script You have to find the quote book.
Need More?
You have to open the script then open the quote book. Look at the empty spaces, below each one says a story with an act that follows. You need to go to the correct story, then scroll down to the quotes and drag and drop the correct ones.
Hope this helps!
Melati,
In order to fill the blanks in the script You have to find the quote book.
Need More?
You have to open the script then open the quote book. Look at the empty spaces in the scrpt, below each one says a story with an act that follows. You need to go to the correct story in the quote book, then scroll down to the quotes and drag and drop the correct ones.
Hope this helps!
Oh what now?!?! I did as Jay told the bbc has said and now it's telling that my act2 is also locked!!!!! nice....
Where are those postcards to his mother? I only founded some letter from left corner of basement..do I have to find those?
Ooh nothing i got to act 3 finally.:)
Thank you Jen... U saved me from 2 hours of hopelessness ^^
I got to part three but then my computer went down now i have to start over!!! Why!!?? How do you open the briefcase?
I am getting increasingly more and more ticked off that I am not allowed to play anything other than Act One.
Act Two and Three both say locked and will not let me in. I can play Act One all I want to, but why bother?
Julie,
I had the same problem and I signed out of bbc and closed it down and then re entered and it came up that Act I had been completed and no further trouble after that. Hope it helps!!
Finished act III finally.
Julie..
You need to find the hair pin to open up the briefcase, its in the balcony. Go to the main hallway room (that you started the game in) and try the doors that were locked before.
btw, anyone have any problems with the game getting stuck in the dialogue with other people. I have to make sure to not talk to the people when its at the last comment, because it will just get stuck there. If this happens I have to restart the act all over again. Very annoying.
Just finished Act III. I still havent used the video tape or the hand. I did find myself visiting the same spot a couple of time before the game let me end the act.
Finally convinced the site to let me past Act1!!phew!
I like this game, the animation is great!
although ive no idea what i did to complete the second quote bit... could someone let me know?
Hi
Why hasn't the next chapter been released yet? It's the 29th!
has anyone managed to play act4?it is supposed to be released today
Hi
The release date has now been changed to 30th.
Drat!
So they did it again! Well, it's their game and free of charge. But I must say that why bother to put any exact release dates if you can't keep them.
Personally I almost lost the interest on this game. At first it looked so promising but there's just too many irregularities. So, dear game developers, learn the lesson:
1) Do not close the access to the previous chapters without good reason.
2) The server side user recognition is good idea, so you don't have to worry after cookies, but the user must have possibility to clear that data. Especially if the access to earlier chapters becomes banned. Now the 7NK can be played only once with the same user account.
3) Do not stuff the game with pages full of background information if it is not needed in any way during the game, and again, especially if you ban the access to that stuff afterwards. I seriously think that people don't read much while playing. Maybe afterwards.
4) Do not give crowbar and then take it away in next chapter and force the user to run after a hatpin! Did somebody stole that crowbar between the chapters or what? And why I can't use the spear that is in the very same room? It is humiliating.
5) Do not seriously claim that player can't reach something that is only a few feet high in the room full of boxes, ropes and pointy sticks. There's no logic.
6) The doors can be locked and then suddenly unlocked in the next chapter, e.g. by some of the game characters, but it is very cheap to tell to the player in the middle of the game that now some doors are unlocked. If this piece of information is told by some characters in the game, then it is okay, but is there some narrator hanging from the ceiling and whispering advices in to your ear?
7) And keep the promised release dates.
Just so you know....
1) this was done so the BBC team wouldn't have to spend time deciding how to update your profile and such with new information found (or not found) in re-played chapters.
4) The crowbar was actually used in act 2 to open the trapdoor to the basement.
I agree with you on 2 and 7, but I gotta say, I disagree with the rest.
I think the progression of rooms is a neat idea, and I also enjoy a good amount of the backround Shakesperian info as well.
Ah, well.
Just my opinion.
My mistake, I ment of course acts, not chapters. But the point is that I do not see it reasoned in any way why the things that you found in previous acts are lost in the following ones. And I would have enjoyed the Shakesperian info as well but I was not allowed to read them on my own time. I just hope that in next acts some of this theater information turn out to be important after all so that I have to take back my words ;)
Lassie, there is one thing you have forgotten ... BBC is educational!! Of course they are going to have great drama, but their real aim is to teach you something. In this case it is culture and history in the guise of an incredibly AWESOME game.
This is probably the only way I would actually sit and read that stuff about the globe and costumes. Guess what? I have now a new appreciation for Shakespeare because of this game!
still not working!!
Okay folks, my apologizes that I was so harsh on this game, and I know that education is one of the BBC's main goals, which is just okay. I strongly support that. So there's just one more reason why I hope that I could have a chance to go back and read it again. I have not claimed that it is pointless to share background information in the games. I just don't like that I don't have a possibility to go back and read it in time (without doing some extra tricks like logging in with a new user account).
LOVE this game, seriously if they produced this on CD (Or something like it) I would happily go out and buy it! Seriously, the best thing the BBC has ever turned out!
Oh, by the way, I'm stuck in act 4 (I've been waiting inpatiently for it for ages!!) I can't get to the thing in the fire! Help!
P.S. I like the Death in Sakkara game. There you have a chance to replay the episodes, read the journal apart from the game, and a lot of background information provided on the journal comes also in need while you play the game. And that game also comes from BBC.
I've finished act three, but I can't play act four, and I've cleared the browse cache.
Is there something I have to do with the hairpin, the mobile or the nightvision goggles? I've read the postcards beside CM's corpse.
Finally got to act four! Got stuck, though.
Ok, I need help with act four...
How do I get the box in the fire?
Josefina, here's a hint that might help
What can be used to put out fire?
if you're still stuck...
in the chapel-like room you will find some Holy water. Put out the fire with the water to get to the metal box. ^_~
UGH! I was doing great but am now stuck ... it says a scream is heard and I click "go there now" over and over and ... it won't go!
I LOVE this act 4 so far, very intriguing. I just hope I can actually get to finish it.
Ok 4 times through and I keep getting hung at the safe. I can open it and all is good, etc. but it won't let me click to the next room. Anyone else get past this spot?? Is it a bug, or have I goofed in the game?
Aly- I am also stuck at the safe. It says there is a scream and I click "go there now" and nothing happens. I think it is a bug.I've been through twice already. I'm quitting until it's fixed.
Not sure about this game. I have completed Ep4, but it involved hardly anything. I found a couple of items, didn't bother speaking to anyone and never got the box out of the fire. I did find the Holy water but before I could get a chance to use it I was taken to the dead body and end of episode. Unlike DiS, there appears to be no way of measuring progress (apart from episodes completed) and, frustratingly, no way to replay episodes to pick up additional clues.
Perhaps this is the point of the game - is there a mystery to be solved at the end, and if one hasn't managed to find enough clues, tough luck?
Hi ...
i desperately need to know hooooow/ where to the find number to complete the second part of the script in Act111...
PLEASE HELP!!!
A very BIG thank you!!
maybelle, here's to point you in the right direction...
go back to the atrium or lobby and go up the stairs that were previously locked in acts I and II. They will take you up to the balcony. On the balcony, find the binoculars and look at the backdrop on the stage. Funny configuration to the columns huh? ^_~
So....does anyone have any ideas as to who the killer might be before this ends? My bet is on the old man.
Ok ... I've worked out what the username on the computer is ... but everytime i try and enter it ... it says that i have entered the wrong ID ...Any suggestions?
XHannaHX
ok - I got to the end, i think.
the killer ,
dame quinn - the ankh in the painting made me think of cleopatra...
, told me i had the right one.
but, one thing eluded me - how do i get the shiney thing behind the portcullous, and what was the point of the playing cards?
i only found the ace of hearts and the ace of spades
help help help!
i can't find a certain clue namley the card whether it be the ace king or queen
Hi just finished the game and it was...
Burrows but he had made sure all the clues pointed to me...the knife in my briefcase, i had opened the cabinet which had the poisen in it etc and then killed himself just as the police arrived
please will somebody help me on act 2!!
i have got down into the basement and clicked on anything that i can and talked to the person, but on the hints it says that i should find a lightswitch but i cant find it anywhere what do i do??????
i dont no how to unscrabble the letters to get in to the computer can u help
where in the chapel is the holy water?
can someone help me with act 5 i am stuck!!!!!!!!!!
woah is me !
I finally made it to the end, unfortunatly i am now
totally totally nicked! its NOT a fair cop guv!!! Im innocent, it was WILL KENT! Honest!
Tanya, not to give it away - think about the titles of some of W. Shakespear's plays and who do you think CM looks like in a lot of his picture.
i have tryed putting the computer passwword as jceasar and it will not work does ne 1 no y and can u help me!X
I found the magnify glass but i cant find the hidden picture in the painting!! Please help!!! i have looked forever, i think i may have found a face on one guys neck, but i have been looking for so long, i may be imagineing it...
i cant find the thing in the picture aswell!!
i found an earring in the grate..and thats about it!!
PLEASE someone help mee!!
[:
I'm so pissed... I went to "check my details" hoping to save the game, and had to start over!!
hi on act v found france done the quote now what plz help!!!
hey does anyone know where i can use the CD i picked up earlier in the game coz ive been carrying it around but its bugging me x
for lammkin:
use it on the computer in the study.
PLEASE SOMEAONE HELP ME!!! I'm stuck at the end, I've done everything,
I found the euro, I have the second part of the will, i've found and clicked the skull in the painting
I'm starting to think about suicide after 1 hour stuck in this place of the game...
Part 6 Cannot find the magnifying glass! Please help
Just finished the game. Thanx for all of everyones help. My killer was
richard
but then
i got arrested too! so much for all that hard work
tofyjen, if you're still looking for the magnifying glass i found it
under the table in the computer room
good luck
Hey all I got the murderer..
Quinn, the only thing that I found strange is who was tlking on the intercom?? And what happens to your character after they evade the cops?
Great Game though! Waiting for some more!
act6:
there's no point to the sliding puzzle & the card that you get from the deck is just a hint towards who the killer may be.
we got:
will kent
i think hilton's body was in the study and morton's body was in the first room or the other way around.
what on earth do i do in act six!?!?!?! i found everything. I ve looked with the magnifying glass at the picture, talked to all the remaining characters, gone to every room three or four times repeatedly. WHAT DO I DO!!?? please help my frustrated little mind.
thanks
i unscrambled the word to gain access to the computer but when i input it, it won't work
i believe the word is
jceasar
I'm on act 6.. and I have the second part of the legal document.. where is the first part???
I am on part six. I have solved the flip puzzle and the quote puzzle. I have found my card and used the magnifying glass to look at the picture. I have put the legal document together. I know who my killer is, but do not know how to get the game to move ahead. Please help!
Woo!! Just finished (: (:
Some of you guys are asking about the username on the computer..
you may be spelling the name wrong..
jcaesar
I did the same thing..
I am stuck at the first act. I got the book out of the cabinet and filled in the missing lines in the script but now I'm not sure what to do. I keep trying to talk to people and look for stuff but I can't find anything new.
PLEASE HELP!!
I have NO IDEA HOW You GET ON THE STAGE IN ACT 2. TELL ME Please
please tell me how to find france soon... i am literally tearing my hair out lol!
HELP. Im stuck on act 5!! I cant seem to find "france". Ive searched everywhere! Please help. :(
How do you get to the stage again? I'm in act two. I've been up there already but I seem to have forgotten how to get back up. And it's killing meeeeee
:'[ I feel terrible, but I can't figure out where the heck the cannon is. Lol, I know it's sort of a bulky item... and i should see it... but i really can't find it.
arghhh I'm stuck in act 3 - I swear there is no cannon! Does anyone know where it's hidden?
YAY I finished!
I can't believe I didn't realise there was a room behind the stage. Alex maybe you should look for the cannon there....
I've sat for ages today playing this game, its fantastic, but why oh why give one of those puzzle where you have to shift the squares to make a picture in the final bit! I've never solved one of those in 27 years!!! Now I'm becoming increasingly frustrated and am close to giving up...I never know how to do these :(
Help I need to unscamble the acejars, help
Help, is it necessary to do the shift puzzle. I can't get it to make a photo???
I have found the cards but can't pick them up!!!???? someone help please!!!
:(
help i'm stuck on act one how do i get in morten's quarters
Please can someone help me ? I'm stuck at the end of act 2 : I found the light switch in the basement, then I was told that act 2 was completed... then, I'm taken back to the initial menu. I'm allowed to play... act 2 again, and not act 3 ? What's wrong here ?
I've just discovered this game. I've completed it once, on my own... I enjoyed it thoroughly! So I'm playing it once again, in order to write a walkthrough, since one hasn't been posted yet for this game (and it's been two years!)
It takes rather long, so I'll be posting them by installments, hopefully one Act at a time. I'm not used to writing walkthroughs, so apologies in advance if it's not clear, or is confusing.
Walkthrough
Talk to each character you meet. It will take 3 approaches to get all the answers out of them. The answers they give are important at times, so it's worth it. Potentially amusing, so read them anyway. Remember to talk to them again at the beginning of each new Act.
About the little information tidbits on items around the rooms... read them and enlighten yourself a bit. Someone did a lot of research to put those factoids together, and they did a great job. They're so interesting, and you even find out the etymology of the word 'loo' along the way! =)
***ACT ONE***
In the ~ Foyer ~ -
- Click the newspaper on the ground behind Archer, just read it for it's own sake.
- Click on the gallery photos hanging on the wall; they give a brief intro to each suspect.
- Click on the watch on the floor behind Hatcher. (glittery object - if you examine it and turn it over, it will reveal the number '7')
- 2nd view: to the left of the front doors, click on the Blueprint of the Knell on the wall (which downloads itself into your PDA)
- click on the Plaque on the ground by the door (glittery object - if you examine it and turn it over, it will reveal the number '9')
Click on the LOWER Exit to enter the Theatre.
~ Theatre ~ -
- Upon entering, swing a bit to the right and on the ground you'll see something glittering. It's a bill, and if you examine it and turn it over you'll find the number '8'.
- Rotate the room view. Behind Judith on the ground near the wall you'll see another glitter. Click on it to find a little bottle, which if you turn over you'll find the number '4' taped to it's bottom.
Still in the Judith view, click on the door to the right to get your copy of the 7NK script. Get to the Dressing Room by clicking on the door again.
~ Dressing Room ~ -
- Go to the cabinet and enter the password to unlock it. The password is in your copy of the 7NK script - 9874.
- Obtain your copy of the Shakespearean Quotes collection.
Click on your 7NK script and turn to Scene II. On the bottom right, click on the button to get the Quotes book to pop up.
~ Quotes ~ -
The answer to the filling in the quotes is at the bottom of the Script page. In your Quotes book, find the play and the corresponding Act/Scene, and drag the quote from the Quotes book to the Script page over the missing quote.
The order of the correct missing words, when the page is all done, is as follows: "Friendship", "smoky cribs", "The Plot is laid", and "The ground".
(I hope that wasn't too confusing? Sincere apologies if it is. =\ )
Exit to The Study (the Exit will only work if you're facing Susan.)
~ The Study ~ -
Click on the desk to be able to play the computer game. As I'm not sure whether the order is the same in every game you play, trial-and-error seems the best way. It usually takes more than one go to figure them all out.
In *my* version, labeling the top row of cards from 1-8 and the bottom row from a-h, the key is as follows:
1c, 2f, 3d, 4b, 5e, 6a, 7h, 8g.
Completing the puzzle successfully will allow you to read Morton's mail. Read it.
- read the scrapbook on the desk just to get a feel of things.
- the rug under Barrows conceals a trapdoor. You'll need that trapdoor for later, so let yourself know where it is.
In the second view of the Study, the sparkling item will be Morton's journal on the bookshelf, towards the right. You can look at the journal, but it's not something you can collect for your items. You just can't, so don't worry about it.
Clicking on the door to Exit will tell you that there's a loud crash that came from the Dressing Room.
~ * ~ END OF ACT ONE ~ * ~
***ACT TWO***
(Walkthrough)
(note: I forgot to mention in the spoiler for Act One, but if you've read the clues and hints already posted you'll know that there are three possible endings. What I'm posting is only one of the possibilities.)
In the Dressing Room, click on the corpse of Susan to get a close-up view.
- under her shoulder is a torn piece of paper with a quote; read it. Don't worry about saving it, it's been noted in your PDA.
- Something will be gittering in her pocket - click on it to find a CD.
- Turn around (to the view with the mirror) and go back to the Study; use the CD on the laptop to read the story. In case you don't know the lingo, "up the stick" means pregnant/with child.
- Go back to the Dressing Room.
Click on your 7NK Scriptbook, and turn to the page with missing quotes in Scene I. Complete them the same way as you did in the first Act; the finished product should give you the times of "Noon", "Two", "Three", and "Seven".
From the Dressing Room, click on the door that takes you to the Stage.
~ The Stage and the Study ~
- collect the glittering thing in front of you - the flashlight.
- click on the scrap of paper on the stage floor; the number scrawled on it will be noted in your PDA.
- Click on the wooden chest that's in the corner to the left of Hatcher. To complete the puzzle, place the items from the top shelf on the bottom shelf, in this order from left to right: urn, skull, donkey, blue thing, snake, red thing. Finishing the puzzle should give you a video tape.
- In the view facing Hatcher, you'll notice a glittering near the Exit sign; click on the glitter to see the clock. Enter the times from your Scriptbook: Noon, Two, Three, and Seven o'clock (be sure to press the square button after getting each time). Entering the right sequence will open the clockface and reveal a severed hand, and a crowbar inside the clock for you to collect.
- Before leaving the Stage, be sure to click around and find where things are, like the fan.
- Go back to the Dressing Room, then from there go to the Study. Remember the trapdoor under the rug? Use the crowbar to open it.
~ The Basement ~
- swing to the utmost left and somewhere in the dark you'll find a bill and a portion of a letter to Morton.
- on the wall in front of you, a bit to the left of the stairs, there is a black rectangle... presumably a light switch. Flick it.
~ * ~ END OF ACT TWO ~ * ~
Complete Walkthrough
Please note that the names of each act have some significance as to what happens in them – meaning, they are clues. You’ll discover why they’re significant at the end of the act.
Act One: The Weakest Goes To The Wall
1.
You will be in a boat driven by a fisherman in a green shirt and black hat, holding an invitation that says “You are Invited to Attend” and “Seven Noble Kinsmen”. Click the next button in the bottom right. You will be taken back five years.
2.
Click the next button through all the information to hear about the play itself and the eight other characters –Richard Burrows, Will Kent, Susanna Hilton, Dame Judith Quinn, Lord Edward Allwood, Anne Hatcher, Christopher Morton, and Robert Archer. You will also find out that the play closed in only a week because of scathing criticism from many newspapers, and that YOU were the critic who destroyed Morton’s production – the Seven Noble Kinsmen.
3.
The fisherman in green will hand you a PDA that he was “told to give to you”. Click next.
4.
It will run you through the basic things you need to do to solve the mystery – explore the rooms, talk to all the characters, find the 7NK script, find the Shakespearean Quotes Book, and look in your PDA when you get stuck. Don’t worry, you’ll find the script and the quotes book later. You’ll have me to help, so I don’t think you’ll be using your PDA much. :) Click “Begin The Mystery”.
5.
The door to the Knell will open, and you will find yourself in the Foyer. Speak to Lord Edward Allwood by clicking on him; ask all three series of questions. Do the same with Anne Hatcher to the left of Edward, and Robert Archer to the left of Anne. If you would like, click one of the posters on the wall to read about all eight actors/actresses and get a bit of background.
6.
You will see something glittery between Robert and Anne. Click it. You have found a WATCH. Click “view item” to reach your inventory. Click the watch, and on the right side click “rotate view” to see it has a 7 on the back, along with CM. Hmm. Christopher Morton, perhaps? Click “back to room” in the bottom left corner.
7.
Put you mouse to the far left side of the screen and click to turn around. You will find another glittery thing on the floor. Click it. You have found a PLAQUE. Click “view item”, the plaque, and “rotate view” to see it has a 9 on the back. Click “back to room”.
8.
To the left of the doors (your left), you should see quite a few pictures all bunched together on one wall. Click the one in the bottom-middle. It should be bluish-gray. You have found a MAP, that is automatically loaded into your PDA, in case you get lost.
9.
Turn back around, and click the door to the right of Anne. Your hand should say “exit”. If it says you are unable to lock the door at this time, it means you are clicking too high. Click “exit” to enter the Theatre.
10.
You will now find yourself right next to Will Kent. Speak to him, ask all the questions. You will also see something to the right of Will. Click it. You have found a RECEIPT. As with the watch and plaque, click “view item”, the receipt, and “rotate view” to find it has an 8 on the back. Click back to room.
11.
Turn around by clicking the far left or far right side of the screen, and notice that the stage has barbed wire on the edge. Click the seats to observe that they have manacles attached. Spooky, eh? :) Click on Judith and talk to her.
12.
To the right of Judith, next to a dark red door, you will see a glittery thing. Click it. You have found a BOTTLE. As with the other three, “view item”, bottle, “rotate view” to find it has a 4 on the back. Go back to the room.
13.
Click the dark red door. It should be right next to the Shakespeare bust. Congrats, you have found the 7NK SCRIPT. Click next. Ooh, spooky music! :) Click “view item” to look in it. Notice that on the right page, there are pictures of a PLAQUE, a RECEIPT, a WATCH, and a BOTTLE, along with the numbers that were found on each one. That four digit number is a code that will be used later.
14.
Click back to room. Click on the dark red door again, and click “exit”.
15.
You are now in the Dressing Room. You will find Susanna. Speak to her, ask all the questions.
16.
Turn around to see a purple neon sign that says “theatre”. To the right of that should be a doorway that was bricked up a while ago. To the right of the bricked-up entrance, underneath two lamps, is a safe. Click it. Highlight the “8888” and instead type “9874”. Click “next”. You have found the QUOTES BOOK, along with some brandy that you can’t click. Click “view item”, then go back to the room.
17.
At the very bottom of the screen, you should see the red 7NK script. Click it, then click “next’ in the top right corner. You will see some quotes, with question marks covering some of the words. Click the bottom right corner for the Quotes Book. Click the cover to open it.
18.
You will see a list of plays that Shakespeare wrote. Each one links to an information page, stating the setting, a little bit about the play, and some quotes from it. Click “Cymbeline”. Scroll down until you reach the quote from Act IV, Scene II. Click and drag that quote to the lowest question mark. It should now read “Look not to light, but search the ground”.
19.
Press back in the bottom right of the quotes book. Click “Henry IV (Part II)”. Scroll down to the quote from Act III, Scene I. Click and drag it to the second set of question marks. It should now say, “Yet mad, awaiting thee in smoky cribs”.
20.
Go back to the plays list in the quotes book, and click “Henry VI (Part I)”. Scroll down to the quote from Act II, Scene III. Click and drag to the third question mark. It should now say, “The plot is laid once I am found”.
21.
Click back on the quotes book, and then click “turn” in the bottom right corner. Click on “Much Ado About Nothing”. Drag the only quote to the first question mark. The whole quote should now read, “Starved of friendship thus I’ve hid, yet mad, awaiting thee in smoky cribs, the plot is laid once I am found, look not to light, but search the ground.” This is a premonition for the second act, so don’t worry about it too much.
22.
Turn around to face Susanna, and click the blue door in between the red dress and the suit of mannequins. Click “exit”.
23.
You are now in the study. Speak with Richard Burrows. Click to his right to reach Morton’s computer. If you want, click the book on the right to discover some news articles, with added writing from Mister Morton himself in red ink.
24.
Click on the computer and click “next” to play a matching mini-game. Allwood matches with Falstaff, Archer matches with Malvolio, Burrows matches with Hamlet, Hatcher matches with Lady Macbeth, Hilton matches with Ophelia, Kent matches with Othello, Morton matches with Julius Caesar, and Quinn matches with Olivia. If the top row of cards from left to right were T1 through T8 and the bottom row from left to right was B1 through B8, the matches would be as follows: T1 and B3, T2 and B6, T3 and B4, T4 and B2, T5 and B5, T6 and B1, T7 and B8, T8 and B7.
25.
You should now have access to Morton’s computer. Click on Morton’s mailbox. Note that Morton sent two e-mails to Edward Allwood – didn’t he say he hadn’t been there before? Also note that Morton ordered a great deal of food. Exit the computer and the desk.
26.
Turn around, away from Richard, and notice something glittery in Morton’s bookcase. Click it to read his diary. Note that his backer has been holding funds. Also note that one of the Kinsmen – one of the seven actors invited – contacted Morton with a few script ideas. At the very last page there is writing in red that states: “Where is our usual manager of mirth? What revels are in hand? Is there no play to ease the anguish of a torturing hour”. This is also a premonition for act two.
27.
Click the blue door by the globe. Suddenly, there will be a large crash. Click “go there now”.
28.
Oh no, a murder! Click through the cut scene. In short, Susanna Hilton is now dead. She became “weakened” by the sight of the brandy bottle, went “to the wall” and drank the brandy in the safe, which happened to be laced with poison – the “object poison” that must be “hid from sight”, as the script said. She has some more of the 7NK script in her hand. The plot thickens!
End of Act I
Act Two: Death By Inches
1.
There will be a cut scene that recaps a bit of the first act. You will receive new pages to your script. Click next. New locations have been unlocked. Click next again.
2.
You will be in the Dressing Room, facing Susanna’s body. Click her to examine the body. You will see something glittering in her pocket. Click it. You have found a CD. You don’t have to look at it; just click back. You will also notice a paper under her arm – it says “ ‘The weakest goes to the wall’ – and you, my dear, are weakest of them all”. Click back until you reach the dressing room.
3.
Turn around and go back to the study – the blue door by the red dress. You will find Richard and Judith together. Talk to each of them. Apparently you interrupted something between them. Go to Morton’s desk. Click the computer to go to your inventory – click the CD and “use item”, then click the computer again. You will be shown the workings of Susanna Hilton’s autobiography.
This explains that she and Will used to be lovers, that she hated Anne, and that she hated Quinn. It also shows you that Susanna was angry with Morton for throwing her out of the lead because she drank too much. She explains that one time she was in the bathroom when Quinn and Morton came in, arguing about something. It turns out that Quinn was pregnant at age 45, and was telling Morton she’d get rid of the baby if her part was rewritten to give her more fame. The father is still unknown.
The autobiography also tells you that Richard went insane with 7NK – he was always irritable, cruel, and overall not a nice person. Susanna says she was afraid to be around him.
Once you finish with the information, leave the computer and the room.
4.
Go back into the Theatre. Robert will be sitting there – talk to him. Odd how he didn’t show up when Susanna died. He also seems pretty mad at Morton for scarring him, and keeps agonizing over it. Exit to the Dressing Room using the door to the right.
5.
Back at Susanna’s body, look to the far left. You should see a brown doorway covered with a blue curtain – click it to leave the dressing room.
6.
In here you will find Will Kent smoking – talk to him. Notice he calls Susanna “Suzie”. You will then see a glittery object – click it. You have found a FLASHLIGHT. It will come in handy later. Click back.
7.
Next to where the flashlight was is a scrap of paper, with a phone number on it – 07564 4531. Remember that number for later.
8.
To the left of Anne (the person in the red dress), there is a globe and a chest. Click the chest. Now you will have to play another mini-game. The pot goes to Macbeth, the skull goes to Hamlet, the donkey head goes to Midsummer Night’s Dream, the blue stone goes to the Tempest, the snake goes to Anthony and Cleopatra, and the rest stone goes to the merchant of Venice. Click “open box”. You have found a TAPE. Click back. You won’t be able to use this for a long time, so don’t worry about it too much. Click back. Note that there is a large wind turbine to the very far left of the screen. Now turn around.
9.
Speak to Anne, who is taking pictures of the event. She seems to only care about selling this story for more money – she doesn’t care that Susanna is dead. You will also notice something glittering, but don’t click it. First you need to consult the script.
10.
Click the 7NK script. Notice some more question marks. As in the first act, you need to fill it all in with the quotes book. Click “As You Like It” and scroll down to the Act II, Scene VII quote. Put it in the last slot to reveal a number – seven.
11.
Click back and turn to the next page. Click “Macbeth”; scroll down to the Act I, Scene I quote. Drag it to the third slit to reveal another number – three.
12.
Click back and click “Two Gentlemen of Verona”. Drag the name of the play – up at the top – into the second slot. You now have a two.
13.
Click back and click “Romeo and Juliet”, right under Two Gentlemen of Verona”. Scroll down to the Act II, Scene IV quote and fill it in. The numbers should now read “Noon, Two, Three, Seven”. Notice the clock at the top of the page, then exit the quotes book and the script.
14.
Now click on the glittery object on the wall by the exit sign. It turns out to be a clock. Click the clock until the hour hand is at twelve (noon), then press the square button on the bottom-right. Do the same for two, three, and seven. You have found a SEVERED HAND. Eww, gross! Click next. You have also found a CROWBAR. Click back and leave the clock.
15.
Go back into the Dressing Room using the exit right by the clock. Then exit the dressing room and go into the Study.
16.
Click the script and go to the second page. Note how there is a pentagram symbol on the page. Now, click the Act I tab in the top left corner, and go to the second page. Remember the quote? It says “but search the ground”. Leave the script. Look at what Richard is standing on – a rug on the ground with a pentagram on it! Click it.
17.
There is a trapdoor under the rug! How intriguing. Click on it, click the crowbar, click “use item”, and click the trapdoor again. Click exit.
18.
You will notice many torture instruments on the left wall. In here, talk to Allwood. How did he know where to find the phone AND the trapdoor? Has he been here before, perhaps? To the left of Allwood you will see (from right to left) some stairs, a wooden beam, a water tank, and a Mask of Infamy (it looks kind of like bunny ears). Click above that to turn on the lights.
19.
You will find Morton’s decomposed corpse, sitting on a throne with a crown on his head. He is missing several body parts, including his hands – one of which you are carrying. He was starved, mutilated, and tortured for an extended period of time – basically, his body parts were cut off “inch” by “inch”. Click next once everyone shows their shock at discovering Morton dead.
End of Act Two
Act Three: Done To Death By Slanderous Tongues
1.
There will be a cut scene with a small recap of the last scene. Anne will take a picture of Morton’s body, then take the Act Three pages. She looks like she notices something familiar…she then hands them to you. You now have more pages to your script. Click next. New locations have been unlocked. Click next.
(The next four steps are merely looking at the background story – if you are not interested in background story, skip to step six.)
2.
You will find yourself in the basement. Click Morton’s body to the right of the stairs. You will see he is sitting on some papers – click them.
The first is an account of what the murderer did to torture him – first he cut off an ear, then a tongue, then his *ahem* “region”, and finally with his death. Ironically, Morton died on his birthday, just like Shakespeare.
The second is a picture of the cast – Susanna and Morton are crossed out.
The third is a receipt for a coffin.
Click back and leave Morton’s body.
3.
To the far right you should see some boxes. Click them. You will find bits of Morton’s Diary. It explains that Quinn had an affair with “the boy” (Robert Archer, being the youngest and also for something Judith says later in the game), as well as “the Monarch” Richard Burrows – but “the boy” isn’t the father. Guess who is? Morton also wrote that there were many affairs, and they were driving him nearly insane.
He complained that he was rewriting the script often to appease everyone, because they were bickering about whose part was bigger. Anne Hatcher seems to have started logging the arguments, because Morton had to promise to make her part bigger so that she wouldn’t leak any of the arguments to the press. He apparently put an anaphrodisiac, bromide, into everyone