Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper

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Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper is a single player arcade role playing game with fantasy, drama, mystery, thriller and others themes. It was developed by Frogwares and was released on December 23, 2009. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"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.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper screenshot

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77%

Audience ScoreBased on 944 reviews

story213 positive mentions

stability52 negative mentions

Engaging deduction boards that enhance the detective experience.
Brilliantly bonkers story that intertwines real historical events with fiction.
Atmospheric depiction of Victorian London, immersing players in the setting.

Frequent bugs, including a save function that often fails, leading to lost progress.
Some puzzles are poorly constructed or require outside knowledge, making them frustrating.
Third-person camera controls can be clunky and hinder navigation.

story
437 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The story of "Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper" is widely praised for its engaging narrative that blends historical accuracy with imaginative twists, effectively immersing players in the dark and gritty atmosphere of Victorian London. While some players noted issues with pacing and tedious fetch quests, the overall character development and intricate plot kept many invested until the end, making it a standout entry in the Sherlock Holmes series. Despite its dated graphics and occasional gameplay glitches, the compelling storytelling and clever puzzles make it a recommended experience for fans of detective narratives.
- “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 intricate and smart, and it pays off the Jack the Ripper lore in a really satisfying way, 10/10.”
- “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.”
- “Half of the story just leads you on in a narrative story type of game with no real puzzles, but then there are some puzzles which are just tedious, petty and not fun.”
- “Spent 90 minutes having Holmes complete 'go and fetch' missions then gave up.”
graphics
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
65%
16%
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized for being dated and not having improved significantly since previous titles, with many reviewers noting they resemble early 2000s visuals. While some players appreciate the quirky and atmospheric design, others find the graphics off-putting and a hindrance to immersion. Overall, the visuals are considered mediocre at best, but the engaging story and gameplay can overshadow these shortcomings for those willing to overlook them.
- “The graphics overall remain the same as the previous few titles and I think are still interesting and hold up to this day.”
- “The game's graphics were good and the story keeps players interested as they carefully follow the clues to catch the tricky serial killer.”
- “Despite some very dated graphics, it still manages to conjure some genuinely sinister and creepy atmospheres.”
- “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.”
- “Expect poor graphics and non-immersive interactions with NPCs as well since this is a 2009 game.”
- “The graphics are therefore outdated and 'mediocre' at best.”
gameplay
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
The gameplay in "Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper" features a mix of point-and-click and first-person mechanics, with some innovative deduction and reconstruction elements that enhance the detective experience. However, many players noted that the mechanics feel dated and can be clunky, with puzzles often lacking clarity and guidance, leading to frustration. Despite these issues, the engaging story and immersive setting help to redeem the gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre, though it may not appeal to 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.”
- “There's a bug where you cannot save the game after a couple of hours of gameplay.”
- “Very dated mechanics and the puzzles are often either extremely hard or, at worst, have massive design oversights which make them easy to exploit.”
atmosphere
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
32%
5%
The game excels in creating a haunting and immersive Victorian atmosphere, effectively capturing the grim realities of 19th-century London, particularly in areas like Whitechapel. Players appreciate the detailed world-building, somber music, and strong narrative that enhance the eerie and despondent tone, despite some dated graphics and occasional voice acting issues. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, making it a compelling experience for fans of adventure and mystery genres.
- “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.”
- “The atmosphere is great; it really gives you a feel of how desperately poor and destitute the working class was.”
- “The game is extremely atmospheric in its portrayal of Whitechapel in 1888.”
- “Overall a fully on-rails game with small locations and lack of atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is truly heavy and there are not many laughing moments.”
- “Despite some very dated graphics, it still manages to conjure some genuinely sinister and creepy atmospheres.”
stability
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and issues related to the save game feature, including game freezes and corrupted saves. While some players managed to enjoy the experience despite these problems, many found the glitches frustrating and detrimental to gameplay. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, making it a risky choice for players seeking a smooth experience.
- “I've had to restart the game 3 times now because of corrupted saves and bugs, and have replayed numerous parts again and again because of freezes and saving issues.”
- “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.”
- “Gameplay is super buggy; there's no auto-save, and most of the puzzles are incredibly obtuse.”
music
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
54%
7%
The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive quality, effectively enhancing the bleak atmosphere of 19th century London with unique tracks for each area, particularly noted in Whitechapel. While some tracks are re-used from previous installments, the overall soundtrack, featuring classical pieces, contributes significantly to the game's ambiance, despite occasional audio mixing issues. Reviewers appreciate the chilling and somber tones that complement the narrative, although some feel the music lacks distinctiveness.
- “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.”
- “As you wander the dark streets, ominous ambient music hanging in the air, you get a chilling feeling knowing that a particularly vicious serial killer is somewhere nearby...”
- “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 fetched 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
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of quirky interactions, particularly between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, which often elicits laughter despite the otherwise heavy atmosphere. While some moments are genuinely funny, particularly involving eccentric characters and clever puzzles, the humor is balanced with darker themes, leaving players with a sense of both amusement and discomfort. Overall, the game maintains the charm of the Sherlock Holmes series, offering a blend of lightheartedness amidst its serious narrative.
- “The characters are funny and likeable.”
- “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
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
5%
80%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious, with many players finding certain puzzles and navigation frustratingly repetitive and unintuitive. While some sections of the game are engaging, a significant portion involves monotonous tasks and errands that detract from the overall experience.
- “The game has a tad bit of grindy elements, but it keeps things interesting.”
- “While it can feel a bit grindy at times, the rewards make it worthwhile.”
- “There's a tad bit of grinding involved, but it adds to the overall experience.”
- “Half of the story just leads you on in a narrative story type of game with no real puzzles, but then there are some puzzles which are just tedious, petty, and not fun.”
- “The technical issues with not being able to save your game can be solved with constant tedious alt+tabbing back and forth.”
- “It can get tedious.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game has a moderate replayability score, with users noting that while it is enjoyable and worth playing, it lacks significant incentives for repeated playthroughs. The meta-game aspect adds some extra points, but overall, the replay value is considered low.
- “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”
- “Replay value: 5/10”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting that it effectively captures the essence of Sherlock Holmes and his world. The character designs and voice acting are also commended, enhancing the overall storytelling 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
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits strong feelings, with some players expressing a sense of warmth and nostalgia, while others are frustrated enough to abandon it entirely due to technical issues. Overall, the game has the potential to create a heartfelt experience, but its current state may hinder players from fully engaging with it.
- “It all worked together in a way that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game is inconsistent, with some users reporting very poor performance and sluggishness that hampers gameplay, while others experience good performance on systems capable 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 (often runs sluggish, making it a pain to click things).”
- “Very poor performance (often runs sluggish, making it a pain to click things).”

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69%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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8h Median play time

12h Average play time

4-10h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper is a arcade role playing game with fantasy, drama, mystery, thriller and others themes.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper is available on PC, Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox.

On average players spend around 12 hours playing Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper was released on December 23, 2009.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper was developed by Frogwares.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper is a single player game.

Similar games include The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring, Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter, Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis, Sherlock Holmes Chapter One and others.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper

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