After a very promising demo/prologue (The Lost Family), the Markus Ritter storyline now continues with the main game, Ghosts of the Past. A lovingly conceived, beautifully designed and executed tribute to Jane Jensen's iconic Gabriel Knight universe, the Markus Ritter games feature the eponymous character and his estranged cousin, Roberta - another honorable allusion to a full motion video (FMV) game pioneer and Jensen's early collaborator, Roberta Williams.

Playing along some of the themes and construction of the second instalment in the Gabriel Knight trilogy, The Beast Within (the only one in the saga using the FMV technology), Ghosts of the Past throws Markus and Roberta into the eternal battle between the forces of light and darkness, as Schattenjaegers (Shadow Hunters) with the hereditary superpower - and duty - to recognize and fight evil which appears in deceptively ordinary human forms. Like his legendary ancestor and predecessor, Markus has to face a fatal dilemma when he finally finds true love, but the Shadows have ominous plans for him and the future of his new relationship.

Despite the obvious and oblique references to the Gabriel Knight universe (with many clever and enjoyable Easter eggs), Markus Ritter: Ghosts of the Past is, in its own right, an exceptionally well-rounded Indie game with original elements, interesting quirky characters and a captivating story. The controls are the same as in The Lost Family demo, but have been considerably smoothed out. The scenery and soundtrack are gorgeous, and in most instances act as organic ingredients of the plot.