Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened, a video game created by Frogwares, is an impressive achievement by any measure. Released in 2021, the game was developed in the midst of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia, which presented numerous challenges to the team, including power cuts, internet outages, and general disruption. Despite these difficult circumstances, the resulting game is a polished and carefully crafted detective adventure that will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.
One of the key strengths of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is its premise, which combines the iconic detective’s investigations with the eldritch horror of the Lovecraft Mythos. This unlikely mash-up works surprisingly well, as the game’s investigation mechanics fit perfectly with the Lovecraftian themes of madness, incomprehensible entities, and a world where the more you investigate, the more horrifying the answers become.
The game’s story begins on the streets of London with a seemingly mundane mystery: who stole Sherlock’s newspaper? However, it quickly evolves into a grand conspiracy involving eldritch cults, profane rituals, and betentacled gods that takes Watson and Holmes on a journey to locations such as a foreboding Swiss asylum, the sunny streets of New Orleans, and crocodile-infested swamps. Each of these locations is beautifully rendered and holds its own set of mysteries to be solved.
As players progress through the game, they are tasked with collecting clues and connecting them into conclusions that allow them to progress. The mechanics for doing so are largely carried over from the studio’s previous Sherlock Holmes game, Chapter One, and they work just as well here. Clues are recorded in a casebook for reference and are marked with icons suggesting how they might be expanded on or used to gain new clues. Players unlock questions as they progress through a case, which they can attempt to answer by connecting relevant clues. The result is a gameplay experience that strikes a wonderful balance between making players feel like they are doing real detective work while not leaving them to flounder when they haven’t made the right connection yet.
In terms of graphics, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a beautiful game, with each location feeling like a carefully crafted diorama. The attention to detail is impressive, and the game’s art style perfectly captures the Victorian-era setting. Similarly, the game’s sound design is excellent, with moody music and atmospheric sound effects adding to the overall sense of dread and unease.
One of the game’s standout features is its focus on the core detective experience. Unlike previous games from Frogwares, which attempted to mix in action sequences and combat, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened sticks to what it’s best at – solving mysteries. This focus on clue-hunting and mystery-solving suits the Lovecraftian narrative perfectly, as the game uses the Mythos as a source of subtle, building tension and atmosphere.
In terms of flaws, the game can sometimes lean too heavily on point-and-click-esque problem-solving, which can feel less satisfying than dissecting a crime scene. Additionally, the game’s short length of approximately 12 hours may leave some players wanting more, especially considering its launch price of $40/£40.
Despite these minor issues, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is an impressive achievement, especially considering the challenges faced by its development team. It’s a testament to their resilience and dedication that they were able to create a game that feels so fully realized and polished. For fans of detective games, Lovecraftian horror, or the Sherlock Holmes franchise, this game is a must-play.
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