Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is the tenth installment in a series of adventure games originating from 2002. The game is a prequel, taking place before the events shown in the previous installments. It was developed by Frogwares, the same studio responsible for the rest of the series.

Plot

The story of Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One takes place at the very beginning of the titular detective's career. The protagonist, 21 years old of age, arrives on his native Mediterranean island to visit the grave of his mother, whose death 10 years ago was the reason he left the Holmes estate. Though the land is seemingly a paradise, in reality it faces many issues such as a clear class divide and tragedies affecting its inhabitants. The young detective soon involves himself in a major intrigue, which he attempts to solve with the help of his friend Jonathan.

Mechanics

Mechanically speaking, Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One plays similarly to the previous four installments of the series. The gameplay is shown from a third-person perspective. The game's world is open and freely traversable.

The game's driving force are main quests which progress the story, accompanied by around 30 side quests. Completing them requires investigating, talking to locals, finding items and solving puzzles. Oftentimes we'll need to use a trick (such as a disguise) or deductive reasoning to acquire desired information. We can also "pin" acquired material to the screen, such as the suspects' profiles. Solving the case requires connecting different facts and evidence.

There are also sequences reminiscent of action games - Sherlock owns a firearm but can only use it in specific scenes. The game also offers a non-linear storyline, influenced by the decisions made by the player (including the use of violence). There are also optional activities to do in-between quests, such as decorating Sherlock's mansion.

Game length

Completing the main storyline of Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One should take about 12-15 hours. Completing all the side quests as well is a task for up to 40 hours.

Technical aspects

The visuals of Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One are fully three-dimensional. The detailed locations may be especially appealing.