The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

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.

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The 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…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,062 reviews

story326 positive mentions

grinding27 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story with unexpected twists.
Challenging and varied puzzles that encourage logical thinking.
Improved graphics and voice acting compared to previous installments.

Frequent crashes during saving, making the game frustrating to play.
Clunky controls and awkward character movement can detract from the experience.
Some puzzles lack clear instructions, leading to confusion and reliance on walkthroughs.

story
698 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Testament of Sherlock Holmes" is a mixed bag, with many players praising its engaging narrative and clever twists, while others criticize it for plot holes and a convoluted structure. The game presents a dark and intriguing tale that explores themes of betrayal and deception, but some found the framing device involving children reading the story to be unnecessary and detracting from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the story remains a highlight for many, capturing the essence of the Sherlock Holmes universe and providing a satisfying, albeit sometimes confusing, adventure.
- “The premise is that Sherlock Holmes is being framed, and the story manages to put doubt even in ourselves, which is quite impressive.”
- “Clever puzzles, a very faithful adaptation of Holmes and Watson's looks and dynamic, and a well-built, tension-filled story with a very satisfying ending.”
- “The story is engaging and I found myself wanting to know what happens next! It's not too difficult and presents itself with a great story, strong voice acting, and lovely visuals.”
- “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.”
graphics
220 mentions
40 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over previous titles, particularly in terms of detail and atmosphere. However, some critiques highlight that the visuals can feel dated or rough around the edges, with issues like poor lip-syncing and occasional glitches. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered decent for a game of its age, they may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to more modern standards.
- “The graphics are a huge step up from previous entries, and the puzzles range from mundane to brutal.”
- “The graphics have been dramatically improved, there's an added third person camera option for that one person who played L.A. Noire and wanted all of his mystery games to make sure the camera was as far away from the evidence as possible.”
- “The visuals are particularly good with rich textures and high-quality models of people and late-19th century London.”
- “Testament's engine is creakier than ever, with the visuals barely improved from the awakened six years prior.”
- “The graphics, animation, and voice acting are what you can expect from an 'antique' game.”
- “The graphics are quite decent, the voice acting is a big improvement over vs jack the ripper and the polish is much higher than ever before.”
gameplay
202 mentions
26 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Gameplay in "The Testament of Sherlock Holmes" is a mixed bag, featuring engaging puzzles and a deduction board mechanic that enhances the detective experience, but marred by clunky controls and occasional bugs. While the ability to switch between characters adds depth, many players found the mechanics underutilized and some puzzles tedious or poorly explained. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic adventure experience, though it may frustrate those seeking a more polished and fluid gameplay experience.
- “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 solid, the story is interesting, the puzzles are well put together...”
- “The mechanics are 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.”
- “The gameplay is that of the detective style which Sherlock Holmes is, essentially like Batman but without the suit, the gadgets, self-defense abilities, and the money.”
music
48 mentions
27 % positive mentions
65 % 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 find the soundtrack decent but forgettable, with some describing it as mediocre or even obnoxious during certain moments. Overall, while the music has its highlights, it often fails to leave a lasting impression and can detract from the gaming experience due to its looping nature.
- “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.”
atmosphere
47 mentions
57 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, immersive quality, effectively capturing the dark and gothic essence of Victorian London, reminiscent of 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 and mystery genres.
- “The soundtrack complements the melancholy and despairing atmosphere well.”
- “I'm not only speaking of the graphics but both the interiors and the exteriors are shaped with care and actually do convey the atmosphere of the Victorian era, no matter if you're in a nobleman's manor or in the shadiest part of Whitechapel.”
- “The atmosphere is top notch, as in with the other games in the series.”
- “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.”
grinding
29 mentions
10 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, with many puzzles described as uninspiring and repetitive, often requiring excessive backtracking and trial-and-error. While some enjoy the engaging gameplay and mechanics, the clunky controls and frustrating puzzle designs lead to a significant number of players resorting to walkthroughs or the skip option to alleviate the monotony. Despite some redeeming qualities, the general consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of innovation and an overabundance of tedious tasks.
- “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.”
- “You have to spot the location of where you use to be able to pick it up and that leads to many incredibly tedious backtracks to do puzzles.”
- “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.”
- “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 (closes every time before I can get to the opium den).”
stability
25 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over game-breaking glitches and the need for frequent saving to avoid losing progress. Overall, the game's stability is described as inconsistent, with a clear need for improvements from the developers.
- “Great story, smooth gameplay, and no glitches!”
- “The glitches are still there and the game-breaking bugs still persist even through the next decade.”
- “It's buggy; it crashes most of the time.”
- “Too many glitches make the game annoying.”
humor
23 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring a strong dynamic between Holmes and Watson that elicits genuine laughter, alongside absurd puzzles and exaggerated animations that can be unintentionally hilarious. While some players appreciate the dry British wit and clever dialogue, others find the animation quality and pacing jarring, leading to moments that are amusing yet frustrating. Overall, the game balances its dark themes with a lighthearted tone, making for an interesting and occasionally funny experience.
- “The dynamic between Holmes and Watson is great and made me tear up laughing at certain instances, which was a pleasant bonus.”
- “Wrapping up background story threads, combining gameplay elements from the classic series with the modern controller-friendly style, and keeping its humorous yet dark tone.”
- “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.”
optimization
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
58 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering audio and crashes, even after applying community patches. While some players noted that the game is playable in windowed mode, others expressed frustration with the overall optimization, suggesting that it detracts from the experience despite the game's strengths.
- “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.”
- “The only con is the bad optimization in the sewers.”
emotional
11 mentions
91 % positive mentions
-18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming moments and character development, particularly in the relationship between Sherlock and Watson. While some players appreciate the touching plot twists and the emotional investment in the characters, others criticize the lack of player agency and the game's clunky mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the story evokes a range of emotions, including anger, betrayal, and love.
- “It even has its wholesome moments, such as [spoiler]when Sherlock calls Watson 'John' :)[/spoiler].”
- “There were evident character developments for Watson, and that scene when he and Sherlock 'reunited' was so wholesome.”
- “One feels a real emotional investment in the characters as the story runs the player through anger, betrayal, deception, confusion, and love.”
- “There are no decisions to make; there's no role to play. You just follow the boring story, and if you don't find everything, you won't even be able to progress.”
- “The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about their journeys.”
- “The narrative feels forced and uninspired, leaving little room for genuine emotional engagement.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many players noting that it lacks incentives to replay beyond achieving missed accomplishments. While some appreciate the engaging story and character dynamics, the consensus is that once completed, the game does not offer enough variety or content to warrant multiple playthroughs. Players suggest it may be worth purchasing on sale due to its enjoyable experience, despite its short length and minimal replay value.
- “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 development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably strong for both Sherlock Holmes and Watson, with their relationship highlighted in a touching reunion scene. While some critiques point to a lack of depth in the writing and dialogue, the overall character arcs, particularly for Sherlock, are well-executed and contribute significantly to the engaging storyline. The game's conclusion effectively ties together these developments, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “There were evident character developments for Watson, and that scene when he and Sherlock 'reunited' was so wholesome.”
- “Good storyline, character development, graphics, and environment.”
- “That said, the game also 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, and character development, especially for Sherlock Holmes, really came through strong enough that you come to know his personality and character like a book.”