Relics 2: The Crusader’s Tomb
A long-lost treasure. A glittering prize. An unforgettable journey. And a host of rivals and enemies between you and the finishing line.
1938. A terminally-ill English aristocrat has one final wish: to locate the long-lost resting place of one of his legendary ancestors, a crusading knight said to have found a terrible secret in the East and then vanished. A cryptic, coded poem points the way, allowing a modern-day adventurer to retrace the knight’s steps. So a contest is set: five of the world’s leading treasure-hunters and archaeologists are challenged to follow the trail and track down the crusader’s tomb. And whoever gets there first stands to win an unimaginable fortune. Do you have what it takes to outwit and out-gun your villainous rivals and make it safe—and first—to the prize?
Relics 2: The Crusader’s Tomb, the sequel to Relics of the Lost Age and the second game in the Relics trilogy, is an exhilarating 400,000 word interactive adventure novel by James Shaw, where your choices control the story. It’s entirely text-based – without graphics or sound effects – and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination. Step into the weathered boots of a swashbuckling 1930s archaeologist and embark on a wild ride across Europe and Asia, racing to stay ahead of your vicious and amoral rivals, facing murderous enemies and intriguing mysteries at every turn, as you strive to beat the odds,
solve an ancient mystery, and uncover the secrets waiting for you in the long-lost crusader’s tomb.
- Play as male, female, or non-binary; gay, straight, bi, poly, asexual, or aromantic.
- Continue to develop your romance from Relics of the Lost Age, or try your luck with one of three new romanceable partners: a hedonistic historian (m), an elusive master- thief (nb), or a treacherous rival (f).
- Experience a hectic four thousand mile race. Go up against four memorable rivals who will stop at nothing to get to the prize first, and a shady organization who will do whatever it takes to prevent you from finding the truth.
- Brawl in the Moulin Rouge in Paris, plan and execute an audacious heist in Venice, infiltrate Hitler’s “Grail Castle” in Germany, survive a terrifying night in a vampire castle in Romania, and discover long-lost secrets beneath the bustling streets of Istanbul.
- Experience epic gunfights, visceral brawls, and wild stunts in vintage vehicles.
- By plane, by airship, by train, by car, by motorcycle, by any means necessary race across a lovingly-realized 1930s Europe to get to the finish line first.
Game Discussion
Steam User 3
I've been waiting for this game since the end of Reliics of the Lost Age. If you've played that game before you will adore this. If you haven't you are still in for a massive treat with this and the start of the game makes it really easy to catch you up. The world tour setting makes for such an expansive and detailed adventure and the romances are so much fun. I enjoyed every minute with these wonderful characters and the ending was so damn satisfying.
Steam User 2
I quite liked the first Relics, but this one feels like an improvement in essentially every way. Your decisions feel more consequential, and the tension is vastly increased by the constraints of time and resources. Minor equipment purchases I made at the start of the game had a tangible impact at the very end. Additionally, I really like how this game pays off the decisions and character relationships from the first game. At times, these payoffs can seem a touch contrived, but given the pulp adventure style of the game's writing, this fits the story perfectly. The puzzles are reasonable in difficulty and mostly skippable if they're not your cup of tea. Overall, any gripes I might have are too minor to be worth mentioning.
As with the first game, the attention to detail and historical/mythological research are impeccable.
I'm really excited to see how this series concludes, especially as WWII looms over the story.
Steam User 3
I usually don't write much reviews, but I want to sincerely compliment the author on this one, they did a great job! Everything from Relics of the Lost Age has been expanded upon, and I feel like the romance has improved much more as well.
Speaking about romance, you can date a certain rival from the first book now... You'll be pleasantly surprised if you do. Anything for María.
The characters are great, the story is good, the puzzles are fun, and most puzzles can be skipped too! Please don't hesitate to buy the second book in this series, and buy the first one if you haven't already. Looking forward to the conclusion in the third book!
Steam User 0
10/10. As others have said, Relics 2 improves on the previous title on essentially every way. The characters are interesting and likeable, the treasure hunt throughout Europe feels exciting and the time and resource constraints only serve to heighten the feeling. Each chapter feels unique with different tones, atmospheres and challenges, and the choices you make truly feel impactful. This also makes you crave replaying the game and trying out different skills and outcomes. The puzzles were slightly easier this time around, which wasn't a bad thing for me, plus they were skippable if solving ancient riddles isn't your thing. The only problem I had (and it was a very minor one) was that you could only choose one companion to come with you; Though you will get to spend a little time with all of your friends, I picked the threesome romance with Esme and Abdul and I wish I could have taken both of them along for the entire adventure. As always, the archaeological and historical side of the game is impeccable and really immersive.
All in all, if you enjoy the thought of traveling the world, discovering ancient secrets and solving challenges and making remarkable friends while fighting and killing fascists everywhere you go (both the nazis of the German Reich, and other cruel authoritarian groups and individuals), then this series is definitely a must buy. I would recommend you try Relics of the Lost Age first and, if you like it, then know this one is truly even better in every way.
Steam User 0
This was better than the first, still adventurous and well written. Skill checks still punishing but at least now there's ways to recover health or improve skills.
Steam User 0
What a superb game!! Looking forward for part 3!!
Steam User 0
A great follow-up to the first game, full of adventure and mystery! Companions from the previous game return, and interesting new characters appear, as you travel across Europe searching for the resting place of an ancient crusader. The puzzles are challenging but not impossible, and there are new technical aspects to manage, like inventory and budget. The game is packed with content and new locations.
I will definitely play again with a different character -- my altruistic and athletic MC from book 1 wasn't ruthless enough to win the race, though she survived and was content with the overall outcome. I definitely want to try again with a sneaky, more selfish MC. (I want to be more successful at that heist in Venice, though at least I got an achievement for making a mess!)