The game looks to deliver with some great 3D environments and a unique intriguing storyline. There is a good sense of respect for the nature of the source material
30 January 2007 | By John Wallace
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened signifies a departure from the “standard” Holmes mystery, both in storyline and in game play. Developer Frogwares decided to take the franchise in a new direction by introducing a 3D interface among some new game play enhancements.
This story begins like any other Holmes tale, the great detective is drawn into a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Things take a turn for the weird as Holmes discovers a primitive cult whose purpose is to open a gate to another dimension and welcome H.P Lovecraft’s famous bad guy Cthulhu. This is a great synthesis of logic and the supernatural and is indeed a wonderful background for an adventure game.
Since most of us lack Holmes’s ability to remember every word of every mundane conversation, a handy reports menu records them for you. This also takes notes of items and allows you to read excerpts of books and other literature you pick up along the way. But the records are of little use when you simply cannot find what it is you need to continue. Let me explain.
The graphics and 3D environments are rendered beautifully and there is only a trifle of things to nitpick about. The 360 degree environment adds plenty to the feel of the game but on the flip side, it literally adds another dimension to “pixel hunting” thus making some puzzles inanely difficult to solve. 2D games provide a pointer to help you navigate the objects you can interact with in the environment. In “The Awakened,” you get no such help until you are directly on top of what you need to be doing. This means you’ll spend an unbelievable amount of time wandering around dark corners, trying to find the last piece of the puzzle. Some may see this as an enhancement of the experience; I see it as an unnecessary frustration.
Character movements are on the whole, lifeless and that takes a great deal away from the 3d ambience. For example, Watson will follow you around as you explore the area, but you never see him actually walk. Instead, he remains motionless as you walk around. When you turn to look in his direction again, Shazam! He teleports next to you. Another creepy facet of the animation is that the other characters stare fixedly at you as you move around. This may be more of a personal pet peeve, but boy does it weird me out.
Sound and music are average at best with the voice acting being the best thing coming out of your speakers.
Some puzzles will require the use of physics and there is some minor jumping and sneaking around but this is after all a Sherlock Holmes adventure and a sharp mind is by far the best weapon at your disposal. There are a few text-based challenges which in the preview, simply amounted to the answering of a riddle.
Overall, the game looks to deliver with some great 3D environments and a unique intriguing storyline. There is a good sense of respect for the nature of the source material. Holmes doesn’t, for example, run around with a shotgun, headshotting Zoogs or Nightgaunts. This is one of those games where you truly have to think to succeed. I just can’t help but feel as if something is missing. With an open mind, a good dose of fandom and hours to kill, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened should be a fun game to play. Still, Cthulhu dreams. And Sherlock Holmes is the only man who can stop his awakening.
Top Game Moment: Using something identified simply as an “apparatus.”
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| Watson, we need to investigate this dark, scary basement, please go first | Holmes’s stoic expressions never change. Here for example, you cannot tell if he won or lost money in the riverboat casino |
This story begins like any other Holmes tale, the great detective is drawn into a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Things take a turn for the weird as Holmes discovers a primitive cult whose purpose is to open a gate to another dimension and welcome H.P Lovecraft’s famous bad guy Cthulhu. This is a great synthesis of logic and the supernatural and is indeed a wonderful background for an adventure game.
Since most of us lack Holmes’s ability to remember every word of every mundane conversation, a handy reports menu records them for you. This also takes notes of items and allows you to read excerpts of books and other literature you pick up along the way. But the records are of little use when you simply cannot find what it is you need to continue. Let me explain.
The graphics and 3D environments are rendered beautifully and there is only a trifle of things to nitpick about. The 360 degree environment adds plenty to the feel of the game but on the flip side, it literally adds another dimension to “pixel hunting” thus making some puzzles inanely difficult to solve. 2D games provide a pointer to help you navigate the objects you can interact with in the environment. In “The Awakened,” you get no such help until you are directly on top of what you need to be doing. This means you’ll spend an unbelievable amount of time wandering around dark corners, trying to find the last piece of the puzzle. Some may see this as an enhancement of the experience; I see it as an unnecessary frustration.
 |
 |
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| Fingerprints. Nah, probably doesn’t mean anything | This is Holmes freaking out upon seeing a corpse |
Character movements are on the whole, lifeless and that takes a great deal away from the 3d ambience. For example, Watson will follow you around as you explore the area, but you never see him actually walk. Instead, he remains motionless as you walk around. When you turn to look in his direction again, Shazam! He teleports next to you. Another creepy facet of the animation is that the other characters stare fixedly at you as you move around. This may be more of a personal pet peeve, but boy does it weird me out.
Sound and music are average at best with the voice acting being the best thing coming out of your speakers.
Some puzzles will require the use of physics and there is some minor jumping and sneaking around but this is after all a Sherlock Holmes adventure and a sharp mind is by far the best weapon at your disposal. There are a few text-based challenges which in the preview, simply amounted to the answering of a riddle.
 |
 |
|
| People pay him to travel the world to solve their mysteries? Where can I get a job like that? | Cthulhu cultists don’t seem to need creature comforts |
Overall, the game looks to deliver with some great 3D environments and a unique intriguing storyline. There is a good sense of respect for the nature of the source material. Holmes doesn’t, for example, run around with a shotgun, headshotting Zoogs or Nightgaunts. This is one of those games where you truly have to think to succeed. I just can’t help but feel as if something is missing. With an open mind, a good dose of fandom and hours to kill, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened should be a fun game to play. Still, Cthulhu dreams. And Sherlock Holmes is the only man who can stop his awakening.
Top Game Moment: Using something identified simply as an “apparatus.”
