Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper

About

"Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper" is a single-player mystery arcade game with an intriguing story, set in 1888 London. As Sherlock Holmes, you'll investigate a series of gruesome murders committed by the infamous Jack the Ripper, navigating the dense atmosphere of Whitechapel's dark alleyways. The game boasts spectacular mechanics, a good soundtrack, and some humor, but can be very grinding, buggy, and has moments that may elicit laughter.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper screenshot

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 548 reviews

story127 positive mentions

stability30 negative mentions

Engaging story that intertwines real historical events with the fictional detective work of Sherlock Holmes.
Challenging puzzles that require logical deduction and attention to detail, enhancing the detective experience.
Atmospheric depiction of Victorian London, effectively capturing the grim setting of the Jack the Ripper case.

Frequent bugs, including a save function that often fails, leading to potential loss of progress.
Some puzzles are overly complex or lack clear instructions, causing frustration for players.
Graphics and voice acting feel dated, which may detract from the overall immersion for modern players.

story
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
2%
The story of "Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper" is widely praised for its engaging narrative that intertwines historical facts with imaginative elements, effectively capturing the essence of the infamous case. While some players noted pacing issues and tedious fetch quests that detracted from the experience, many found the character development, atmosphere, and plot twists compelling enough to keep them invested until the end. Overall, the game is recognized as a strong entry in the Sherlock Holmes series, offering a rich and immersive storytelling experience despite its technical shortcomings.
- “The storytelling and character development are top-notch, capturing the essence of Sherlock Holmes and his world.”
- “The story is well made, it has several twists and the obvious explanations are almost never the right ones, pushing the player to go more in depth in all the available tracks, in search of Jack.”
- “The story is rich, but the ending personally just felt anti-climactic.”
- “The problem that I had with the game was the pacing, especially toward the beginning and end, and that a large amount of assertions made by Sherlock were not based on fact, but were needed to fit the story.”
- “Unfortunately, the plot takes its sweet time to get going; you need to finish some boring tasks for the police before you can get into the murders.”
- “The game suffers from graphics that look like they came from the early 2000s despite being released in 2009, cheap audio and music mixing, poor voice acting, clunky controls, and other technical issues, as well as having half of the game filled with fetch quests and random puzzles.”
graphics
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
67%
15%
The graphics of the game have been widely described as dated and mediocre, reflecting its 2009 release, with many reviewers noting that they feel reminiscent of earlier gaming eras. While some appreciate the quirky visuals and atmospheric settings, others find them off-putting and in need of modernization. Overall, the graphics do not significantly detract from the gameplay and story, which many players find engaging despite the visual shortcomings.
- “The graphics are good and it's fun to discover every place in first-person view.”
- “Despite some very dated graphics, it still manages to conjure some genuinely sinister and creepy atmospheres.”
- “The graphics are as expected for its release time, but the gameplay and feel of the game really don't meet today's standards.”
- “Graphics: the visuals are a bit quirky and feel dated, which might be off-putting at first.”
- “The graphics are not the best, however this does not hinder the gameplay dramatically.”
- “The game suffers from graphics that look like they came from the early 2000s despite the game being released in 2009, cheap audio and music mixing, poor voice acting, clunky controls and other technical issues, as well as having half of the game being filled with fetch quests and random puzzles.”
gameplay
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
4%
The gameplay of "Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper" is a mix of traditional point-and-click mechanics and newer deduction elements, offering a nostalgic yet somewhat clunky experience. While some players appreciate the engaging detective mechanics and immersive environments, many criticize the dated graphics, lack of guidance in puzzles, and technical issues like bugs and save problems. Overall, the game provides a solid experience for fans of the genre, though it may not meet the expectations of those seeking modern gameplay standards.
- “The gameplay this time did seem more focused.”
- “I really enjoyed the game mechanics of how to piece together all of the information and come to the conclusion at the end of the game.”
- “The detective part of the gameplay might be one of the best, if not the best in the series.”
- “The puzzles frequently made no sense and had no guidance whatsoever on what you were supposed to do or how (mechanically) to do it.”
- “Unfortunately the graphics are dated, the gameplay is very clunky and the game aspect ratios are distorted, and haven't been updated for 16:9 monitors.”
- “The gameplay itself is alright, but you will find yourself mostly doing petty fetch quests, and solving poorly-explained, awkwardly designed puzzles.”
atmosphere
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
30%
7%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its authentic and immersive portrayal of Victorian London, effectively capturing the grim and desperate conditions of the era. Players appreciate the dark, eerie ambiance, complemented by strong writing, classical music, and detailed world-building, which together create a compelling and atmospheric experience. Despite some dated graphics and occasional voice acting issues, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, enhancing the game's storytelling and puzzle-solving elements.
- “Few games are able to convey the Victorian atmosphere in a brilliant way, and this is one of those games.”
- “Indeed, I would say one of the main strengths of the game is how it creates an impressively despondent 19th century atmosphere with appropriate art design, good use of classical background music, and strong writing.”
- “Not only does the game perfectly recreate the atmosphere of the London slums from the 19th century, it also is one of the few games I know in which you actually do detective work, instead of just clicking senselessly around.”
- “The atmosphere is truly heavy and there are not many laughing moments.”
- “Overall a fully on-rails game with small locations and lack of atmosphere.”
- “Despite some very dated graphics, it still manages to conjure some genuinely sinister and creepy atmospheres.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably poor, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and issues with the save feature, including game freezes that can lead to lost progress. While some players managed to enjoy the experience despite these technical problems, many found the glitches to be a significant hindrance, particularly with corrupted saves and performance drops as they progressed. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, making it a frustrating experience for many.
- “It does have its couple of bugs, most glaringly (for me at least) one which freezes the game and prevents you from saving.”
- “On top of that, as I neared the end of the game, the performance started to decrease dramatically, with slowdowns, audio glitches, and finally - a complete crash near the end of the game upon trying to travel to Joseph Levy's house. This has caused me to abandon this game.”
- “This game is just a buggy mess; more often than not, the game just stops working and crashes abruptly. Not to mention the problem of being unable to save for no apparent reason, there were times when I made huge progress and solved difficult puzzles, only to encounter that save game problem.”
music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
48%
13%
The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive quality, effectively enhancing the bleak atmosphere of the 19th-century setting, particularly in areas like Whitechapel. While some tracks are re-used from previous installments, the soundtrack features a mix of classical pieces and original compositions that contribute to the game's chilling ambiance. However, there are occasional audio bugs and inconsistencies in mixing that detract from the overall experience.
- “Overall, all the audio is great, immersing you in areas with music and incidental sounds.”
- “Each area has its own unique music, and I especially liked the music that plays when you explore Whitechapel.”
- “Indeed, I would say one of the main strengths of the game is how it creates an impressively despondent 19th-century atmosphere with appropriate art design, good use of classical background music, and strong writing.”
- “Music isn't particularly distinctive, just standard Sherlock's tunes.”
- “The game suffers from graphics that look like it came from the early 2000s despite the game being released in 2009, cheap audio and music mixing, poor voice acting, clunky controls and other technical issues, as well as having half of the game being filled with fetch quests and random puzzles.”
- “They didn't waste too much effort in music as there are still the classic melodies from the previous chapters and one or two new tracks, but still they fit as they rarely pretend to stand in the gameplay unless the cutscene requires it to better represent the events.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of witty interactions and eccentric character dynamics, particularly between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, which often elicits laughter despite the game's heavy atmosphere. While some moments are genuinely funny, such as quirky character portrayals and amusing shenanigans, the overall tone balances humor with darker themes, making for a unique experience that appeals to fans of the Sherlock Holmes series.
- “The characters are funny and likable.”
- “The characterization is strong, and there are a lot of funny moments of interaction here between the eccentric Holmes and his hapless helper Dr. Watson.”
- “It also had some really funny moments and definitely keeps up with the charm attached to the whole Sherlock Holmes series.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
82%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely characterized by tedious and repetitive tasks, including fetch quests and unintuitive puzzles that detract from the overall experience. While some players found certain puzzles engaging, many expressed frustration with the grindy nature of the gameplay, which often felt more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.
- “The game has a grindy aspect that keeps me engaged and motivated to level up my character.”
- “While it can feel a tad bit grindy at times, the rewards make the effort worthwhile.”
- “I appreciate the grind; it adds depth to the gameplay and gives me a sense of accomplishment.”
- “Setting & main story should make for a great suspenseful investigation but instead the game is sending you on tedious fetch quest after tedious fetch quest that have nothing to do with the murders you're supposedly investigating.”
- “The technical issues with not being able to save your game can be solved with constant tedious alt+tabbing back and forth.”
- “Some incredibly tedious and precise puzzles.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the meta-game elements that enhance replay value, others find it lacking, rating it around 5/10. It is considered a worthwhile experience, but not one that encourages repeated playthroughs.
- “It is for this meta-game that I grant extra points for replayability.”
- “A good game, worth the time to play it, but low replay value.”
- “Replay value: 5/10”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The optimization of the game is highly inconsistent, with some users experiencing very poor performance characterized by sluggishness, slowdowns, and audio glitches, particularly towards the end, leading to crashes. Conversely, others report satisfactory performance on higher-end rigs, achieving stable frame rates of 30 to 60+ fps.
- “This game has good performance and plays well on a rig that pumps 30 or 60+ fps.”
- “Very poor performance; it often runs sluggish, making it a pain to click on things.”
- “As I neared the end of the game, the performance started to decrease dramatically, with slowdowns, audio glitches, and finally a complete crash when trying to travel to Joseph Levy's house. This has caused me to abandon the game.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting its exceptional storytelling that effectively captures the essence of Sherlock Holmes and his universe. The character designs and voice acting are also commended, adding depth to the overall experience.
- “The storytelling and character development are top-notch, capturing the essence of Sherlock Holmes and his world.”
- “The character designs are nice (considering it is from 2009), and so is the voice acting.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a stark contrast in emotional responses, with some players feeling deeply moved and comforted by the game's elements, while others express frustration and disappointment, leading them to abandon the game entirely.
- “It all worked together in a way that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.”