Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Case of the Tin Soldier

About

In "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Case of the Tin Soldier," players assume the role of the iconic detective as they investigate the mysterious murder of General Armstead, a Tontine ticket holder. Immerse yourself in this restored retro game with full-motion video, high-resolution graphics, and intriguing storylines, while examining clues and solving puzzles to crack the case. This release is a faithful reproduction of the classic board game, now available for Windows and Mac.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Case of the Tin Soldier screenshot

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 19 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience with improved video quality compared to its Sega CD predecessors, making it enjoyable for fans of early 90s FMV games.
It encourages players to engage deeply with the story and clues, providing a unique detective experience that requires note-taking and deduction.
The performances of the actors, particularly in 'The Case of the Mystified Murderess', are highlighted as strong and contribute positively to the storytelling.

The game suffers from a frustrating user interface and broken subtitles in 'Tin Soldier', which can hinder the player's ability to follow the story and take notes accurately.
Many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, with a lack of meaningful interactivity and a reliance on trial and error to progress.
The absence of achievements and a cohesive narrative across the three episodes leads to a feeling that the game is stretched thin, with little incentive for replayability.

story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game's story features complex storytelling and strong character performances, making it an engaging experience overall. However, some players feel that certain plot threads, particularly a significant red herring, are resolved too abruptly, leaving them wanting more depth and coherence. While it offers an interesting narrative, it leans heavily towards being an interactive story with limited gameplay elements.
- “It has more complex storytelling and avenues to explore, and the actors you talk with in this one deliver some of the strongest performances.”
- “It was an interesting story and an enjoyable use of time.”
- “Will start off by saying that this game has very little to actually 'do' in it; it is more of an interactive story, almost, but not quite.”
- “Not so bad as the others in this series, in that there's a decent red herring of a plot thread, which was however resolved extraordinarily abruptly - seriously, [spoiler] surely there should have been something about calling the police or Interpol or someone about Volkov?”
- “If you're going to use those names, you should have a story that can live up to the originals, and that's just not there.”
- “Will start off by saying that this game has very little to actually 'do' in it; it is more of an interactive story almost, but not quite.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The gameplay is reminiscent of typical 90s titles, relying heavily on trial and error, but many users criticize the lack of engaging mechanics and the short duration of around 60-90 minutes per mystery. While some appreciate the simplicity, the overall experience is marred by poor acting and minimal interactive elements.
- “Typical 90s gameplay that extends through trial and error.”
- “I don't mind that it's an old game; I appreciate the simple mechanics.”
- “Each mystery typically offers about 60-90 minutes of total gameplay.”
- “The acting is horrendous and there is zero actual gameplay.”
- “It is only about 60-90 minutes of total gameplay in most instances for each mystery.”
- “Typical 90s extending the gameplay through trial and error.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the diverse performances and engaging side stories that enhance the experience. The complex storytelling and strong actor interactions contribute positively to the overall gameplay, making it a worthwhile exploration for fans of FMV games.
- “It is worth it to explore the different performances and cute little side stories.”
- “It has more complex storytelling and avenues to explore, and the actors you talk with in this one are some of the strongest performances.”
- “I recommend these episodes to anyone interested in FMV games and schlock, and who wants to play just to experience all the different performances and actors.”
- “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating performance issues.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that hindered my overall experience due to poor optimization.”
- “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unengaging, describing it as a monotonous experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
- “Another tedious mystery in this boring series of non-games.”
- “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward.”
- “I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, and it just became frustrating.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is criticized for lacking intrigue and depth, leaving players with little motivation to engage with it.
- “There's no intrigue, no atmosphere, and absolutely no reason to play.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users indicate that the game has some replayability, but it is limited compared to other video games, which may affect its long-term appeal.
- “It was enjoyable, but not enough for video games, as this kind of content suffers from a lack of replay value, which ultimately led to its demise.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is generally appreciated, particularly in the cutscenes, which are seen as amusing rather than simplistic.
- “The cutscenes are genuinely funny and add a delightful charm to the game.”
- “I love how the humor is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
- “The witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions kept me laughing throughout the game.”
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
300%
The graphics of "Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective" are characterized by impressive full-motion video (FMV) that evokes a nostalgic 1990s TV aesthetic, offering a unique visual experience at an exceptionally low price.
- “Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective features impressive FMV, reminiscent of the very old school, providing an interesting glimpse into the 1990s TV-styled aesthetics of similar games from that period at an absurdly low price.”
- “The graphics are outdated and feel like a relic from the 90s, lacking the polish and detail expected in modern games.”
- “While the game attempts to capture a nostalgic aesthetic, the visuals ultimately fall flat and detract from the overall experience.”
- “The low-resolution graphics make it hard to immerse myself in the game, as everything looks pixelated and unrefined.”