It’s a Cross-Universe Match-Up, My Dear Watson

Marcus is back with a game review about the gentleman detective, Sherlock Holmes. Yes please.

When it comes to fictional face-offs they don’t get much more mouth-watering than Holmes vs. the Ripper. Consider the evidence–the world’s greatest detective on the trail of history’s most infamous serial killer, smog-choked Victorian London the backdrop, saving innocent lives the objective. Let the hunt begin…

Pre-eminently the domain of PC gamers, so-called ‘point and click’ adventures have a tendency to underperform on home consoles. For this reason alone Frogwares Studio deserves recognition for porting the game to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 (although sadly not to Sony’s PS3). With little to no fanfare the game emerged from the shadows in late November of last year.

Opening amid the hallowed surrounds of 221b Baker Street, Holmes kicks off proceedings by informing Watson (not for the first time, one suspects) of how tired he is of having nothing to occupy his time. Watson responds by regaling his mentor with the details of the recent grisly murder of Polly (Mary Ann) Nichols. From that moment the game is afoot, with Holmes and Watson embarking on a thoroughly entertaining, if somewhat flawed, adventure.

The first, and possibly most obvious, shortcoming is with the visuals, which are sadly lacking. The graphics are noticeably dated, with textures better suited to first generation consoles. The animation is fine for the format, but is sub-par for a full price release. On the plus side, the repartee between Holmes and Watson is a joy. The pair bicker and banter throughout, raising more than a few genuine smiles. Less engaging are the rest of the game’s characters, which seem to have been drawn from a lamentably shallow pool of vocal talent. Forget the Ripper, the accents alone are guilty of murder.

Whitechapel is lovingly created and provides the perfect backdrop for the gruesome investigation. This project was clearly a labour of love for its developers, and it’s hard not to become completely immersed in the on-screen action. The Ripper’s murders are presented in all their gory glory and the investigation process is handled with intelligence and respect. The puzzles are brilliantly conceived and executed with devious aplomb.

The game truly comes into its own with the story. As the investigation unfolds we find ourselves increasingly gripped, our determination to uncover the true identity of Jack The Ripper growing with every twist and turn. The only letdown comes from a number of unnecessary fetch quests that, while serving to lengthen the game, feel like nothing more than padding, and serve to hamper forward momentum.

A solid 7-8 hours should be enough to reveal the killer’s identity. With the exception of achievement farming there is little reason to replay. A tough game to recommend, then. Anyone with a passing interest in either Holmes or the real life Ripper murders should find enough story and substance to engage them, but the vast majority of console gamers will be better served elsewhere. Come the inevitable price drop, however, it may well be a guilty pleasure worth indulging in.

Publisher: Focus Home Interactive / The Adventure Company

Developer: Frogwares Studio

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 20, 2009 (Xbox360)

Follow Marcus on Twitter @TheShape | XBL Gamertag: TheShapeLives

Image: Frogwares Studio

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