The Testament of Sherlock Holmes
- September 20, 2012
- Frogwares
- 14h median play time
No matter how you’re coming into this game, you will find that this game subverts your expectations and emerges as the very best in its class – in all of its classes.
Get on SteamThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes immerses you in 1898 London as you conduct an incredible investigation. All the evidence suggests our hero is the main suspect in a case involving theft, fraud and double-crossings. Unable to prove his own innocence, Holmes is rapidly losing London's trust as doubt spreads through the city like wildfire. Even Doctor Watson's faith in his friend begins to waver, as…
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Reviews
- Engaging and well-written story with unexpected twists.
- Challenging puzzles that require logical thinking and deduction.
- Improved graphics and voice acting compared to previous installments.
- Frequent crashes during saving, making the game frustrating to play.
- Clunky controls and character movement can hinder gameplay.
- Some puzzles lack clear instructions, leading to confusion.
- story1,397 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Testament of Sherlock Holmes" is a complex and engaging narrative that explores themes of betrayal and moral ambiguity, with Sherlock being framed for crimes, which adds tension and intrigue. While many players appreciate the well-crafted plot twists and character dynamics, some criticize the story for its pacing issues, plot holes, and an awkward framing device involving children narrating the tale. Overall, the game is recognized for its captivating storytelling, despite some inconsistencies and a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion.
“The story is one of the best, as it should be.”
“Clever puzzles, very faithful adaptation (Holmes' and Watson's looks, voices and their dynamic, especially), and a well-built up, tension-filled story with a very satisfying ending.”
“The story twists and turns and ends up in a place I didn't see coming.”
“The story is just badly written with erratic characters that you can't even make sense of at all.”
“The plot is like Swiss cheese, full of holes.”
“The earlier half of the game was enjoyable, but I feel like the ending and the messy plot really let it down.”
- graphics441 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many noting a significant improvement over previous titles in the series, showcasing vibrant visuals and a well-rendered Victorian setting. However, some players criticize the animations as stiff and dated, with occasional glitches and inconsistencies in character movements. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered decent for a game of its age, they may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to modern standards.
“The graphics are a huge step up from previous entries, and the puzzles range from mundane to brutal.”
“First thing that you can notice about this game (when comparing it to the older titles) is that the graphics went through some serious upgrades and it's a rather pleasant change.”
“The graphics have enjoyed an overhaul and are decent for a 2012 game.”
“Testament's engine is creakier than ever, with the visuals barely improved from the awakened six years prior.”
“The graphics, animations, sounds, textures, and voice overs were not very good for 2012, very dated but I don't think they took much away from the overall experience.”
“The main downside of the game is that graphics are acceptable but not particularly outstanding (particularly some character models); however, considering it isn't developed by a big game development company, it's pretty good.”
- gameplay405 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Testament of Sherlock Holmes" features a mix of engaging puzzles and mechanics, including a deduction board and the ability to switch between characters, which enhance the investigative experience. However, players have noted issues such as clunky controls, occasional bugs, and some puzzles that feel tedious or poorly explained, detracting from the overall enjoyment. While the game offers a solid adventure experience, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more modern or fluid gameplay style.
“The feature allowing players to switch perspectives for character control is a practical addition, effectively addressing past issues with gameplay mechanics and enhancing interaction with the game's environment.”
“Fantastic and intriguing gameplay.”
“The gameplay is well done for an adventure puzzle game.”
“The mechanics is a downgrade compared to previous games.”
“The game does not work with my controller (Xbox) at all and stops only showing a blank gray screen before gameplay even begins.”
“Way too many puzzles, and most of them are stupid, complicated, and have no explanation of mechanics, objective, or context.”
- music97 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to complement the atmosphere and enhance the storytelling, while others criticize it for being repetitive and occasionally mismatched to the on-screen action. Many players noted that the soundtrack, though decent, often loops too frequently, leading to moments of annoyance, especially during prolonged gameplay. Overall, while the music has its strengths, it lacks the variety and impact expected from a title in this genre.
“The soundtrack complements the melancholy and despairing atmosphere well.”
“This chapter's soundtrack is completely new and it's a magnificent set of orchestral pieces that will pleasantly accompany you during all your investigations and will also set a more pressing atmosphere when there will be some tense situations.”
“The music is amazing, as usual, and the voice acting is superb.”
“The biggest problem is the soundtrack which is simply not good.”
“The music is downright obnoxious and when you're stuck in certain moments it's really harsh on the ears.”
“The only great con in this game is the lack of music variation, this is especially annoying when stuck in a puzzle for a while.”
- atmosphere94 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, immersive quality, effectively capturing the dark, gothic essence of Victorian London and the themes present in Arthur Conan Doyle's works. Players appreciate the detailed environments, compelling soundtracks, and the overall mood that enhances the storytelling, despite some criticisms regarding character animations and music mismatches. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and atmospheric experience that resonates well with fans of adventure games and Sherlock Holmes lore.
“The atmosphere is really great, with relaxed, sometimes spooky mystery vibes.”
“I'm not only speaking of the graphics, but both the interiors and the exteriors are shaped with care and actually convey the atmosphere of the Victorian era, whether you're in a nobleman's manor or in the shadiest part of Whitechapel.”
“The environments and character models are generally outstanding, with great attention to detail and lots of atmospheric touches that really make Victorian London come to life.”
“The atmosphere is generally dismal and cynical, and there's even some notably gory visuals.”
“This game has quite nice graphics, but the music often does not match the situation Holmes and Watson are in, therefore ruining the atmosphere.”
“Completely ruins the whole atmosphere of the game from the very start, which features the worst animation in the entire game.”
- grinding58 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, as many players find the puzzles to be tedious, uninspired, and often requiring excessive backtracking. While some mechanics are interesting, they are underutilized, leading to frustration and a reliance on skip options or walkthroughs. Overall, the gameplay can be engaging, but the frequent tediousness detracts 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.”
“The puzzles are tedious time wasters which are constantly fed to you so you don't notice that you're not doing any actual deduction or making any decisions.”
“I tried to give it many chances but ultimately still ended up with the same impression: there's an interesting mechanic or two that are barely used, there's plenty of puzzles, most of which are tedious and uninspiring gap fillers.”
“Just an okay game, can get fairly tedious at points and then it completely bugged out not even halfway through and now will not progress any further in the game.”
- stability50 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, game-breaking bugs, and persistent glitches that hinder gameplay. While some users find the experience enjoyable despite these flaws, many express frustration over the lack of fixes and support from the developers. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, detracting from its potential enjoyment.
“Great story, smooth gameplay, and no glitches!”
“The glitches are still there and the game-breaking bugs still persist even through the next decade.”
“As for the game itself, I have no idea if it's any good, but this game is absurdly buggy and it's a crime that it hasn't been fixed by the developers at all.”
“Very buggy, always stops working when I try to save the game.”
- humor46 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring a dynamic and often hilarious relationship between Holmes and Watson, with moments that evoke genuine laughter. While some animations and voice acting are criticized for being poor or exaggerated, they contribute to an unintentionally funny experience. The dialogue includes clever wit and dry British humor, although pacing issues and absurd plot developments can detract from the overall comedic effect.
“The dynamic between Holmes and Watson is great and made me tear up laughing at certain instances, which was a pleasant bonus.”
“Puzzles are absurd, animation is hilarious, voice acting mostly abysmal, Toby is king.”
“Watson and Sherlock’s dialogues are smart and funny as always, and the delivery is very good, though the pace is a bit off; you get too long pauses between some lines that were obviously meant to be interrupting each other.”
- optimization24 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 58 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering audio and crashes, even after applying community patches. While some users noted that the game is playable in windowed mode, others expressed frustration with the overall optimization, particularly in specific areas like the sewers. Despite these concerns, a few players acknowledged that the game is well-optimized in certain aspects, suggesting that improvements could still be made.
“Good optimization and no bugs.”
“Well optimized.”
“The game also has some mild performance issues (don't even try playing this game in fullscreen mode), but I didn't have any major issues except having to play in windowed mode unless I wanted it to crash when trying to save.”
“Even after applying the unofficial community patch that fixes hard crashes when saving, it still suffers from stuttering.”
“Anyways, I love the actual game, but performance is just horrendous, even with the new patch they put out for the older Sherlock games.”
“An interesting story that is hampered somewhat by inexplicable design choices, frustrating controls, and extremely poor game engine performance.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game evokes a range of emotions, featuring heartwarming moments and significant character development, particularly between Sherlock and Watson. While the story includes touching plot twists and a strong emotional investment, some players feel detached due to clunky controls and lackluster voice acting, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the emotional depth of the narrative resonates with many, highlighting themes of love, betrayal, and reunion.
“One feels a real emotional investment in the characters as the story runs the player through anger, betrayal, deception, confusion, and love.”
“In this game, they've managed to do the same thing with very nice and touching plot twists.”
“There were evident character developments for Watson, and that scene when he and Sherlock 'reunited' was so wholesome.”
“No decisions to make, there's no role to play, just follow the boring story; find it all or you won't even be able to move.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players noting that it only offers value for those seeking missed achievements or speedrunning. While some appreciate the engaging story and character dynamics, the consensus is that the game does not warrant multiple playthroughs, making it more suitable for a one-time experience.
“Pros: story, replay value, longevity (not too short), puzzles, dialogue, character profiles, map and freedom to solve the crime in any order you wish.”
“- High replay value (in my opinion)”
“As a big fan of the books, I really had a good time playing with one of the best tandems - Sherlock and Dr. Watson. There is one more playable character during the game, which was a nice surprise for me.”
“No, the game isn't actually replayable unless you're going for missed achievements.”
“There's no replay value unless you want to speedrun it, and then you must be really bored.”
“Get it on sale, because as fun as it is, it just isn't worth $20 - it didn't last very long and there isn't a lot of replay value.”
- character development10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably strong for Sherlock Holmes, allowing players to deeply understand his personality, while Watson also experiences significant growth, highlighted by a touching reunion scene. However, some critiques point to a lack of depth in the writing and dialogue, which detracts from the overall character development experience. Despite these flaws, the plot-driven narrative provides a compelling backdrop for the characters' evolution.
“There were evident character developments for Watson, and that scene when he and Sherlock 'reunited' was so wholesome.”
“The game has a very strong plot-driven storyline, worthy of a Sherlock Holmes game, and the character development, especially for Sherlock Holmes, really came through strong enough that you come to know his personality and character like a book.”
“The writing and dialogue leave a lot to be desired - you're not expecting Arthur Conan Doyle, but even on its own it's just a weak script with no British wit at all and very flimsy character development.”
“The epic ending of the game really does a 360, giving his character development a complete home run.”
“That said, the game also has a very strong plot-driven storyline worthy of a Sherlock Holmes game, but the character development, especially for Sherlock Holmes, really came through strong enough that you come to know his personality and character like a book.”
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