Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is full of clever moments, sharp dialogue, and plenty of humor. Right from the start, I found myself rooting for the young Sherlock. Some of the best parts are those witty back-and-forths during investigations. The writing is solid, the pace is on point, and it pulls you into the mystery.
I have to say, the voice performances here are top-notch. The characters sound so real, you’d think you’re in the room with them. Jon (Sherlock’s buddy) acts as a sounding board for Sherlock, but I swear, half the time I wanted to tell him to stop stating the obvious. Still, the interactions are great. You’ve got to work together, piecing clues and using classic Sherlock methods like concentrating and cross-checking evidence. Further, a lot of the cases have two suspects, which forces you to make some tough choices. Do I feel bad when I accuse the wrong one? Sure. Do I do it anyway? Absolutely.
The setting of Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is fantastic for any fan of the original stories. Cordona, Sherlock’s childhood home, is a massive sandbox to explore. It is full of period details, mysteries, puzzles, and even occult rituals. Yeah, occult rituals. Because, you know, what’s a Sherlock Holmes game without a little weirdness? Unlike the older games in the series, Chapter One is much more a true puzzle game. This is young Sherlock, so he’s not quite the grumpy old detective we know. Instead, he is still honing his skills. You’ll spend most of your time gathering clues and working through some very tricky cases.
If you’re new to the Sherlock series, this is a solid entry point. It brings in a few new mechanics like a casebook and an interactive menu, which makes things fresh. The first couple of hours are one big intro case, and it does make you consider yourself a detective. Though most of my early deductions were complete guesses. But when you do figure something out, it’s incredibly satisfying. I even did a little victory dance in my head.
The open world in this game is kind of a mixed bag. It gives you freedom to roam around, which is great, but the framerate stutters sometimes, making me think that I’m solving mysteries in a glitchy version of Grand Theft Auto. If you’ve played LA Noire, you’ll recognize some similarities too – with the whole rich vs. poor districts and different types of NPCs all over the place. Don’t get me wrong, the city is rich with detail, but at times it seems a little empty. There’s tons of potential, but I found myself wanting more to do. And by “more to do,” I don’t mean arena-style brawls. Because yes, those exist – and no, they’re not as fun as they sound.
Playing Sherlock means I’m here to solve mysteries, not to pick fights. Although there is combat in Chapter One, it’s not the focus. And to be frank, I was relieved. You can throw snuff at enemies, which made me laugh the first time, but after that? Meh. The physics are nice, but I signed up for brain-teasing puzzles, not beatdowns. So if you’re worried about having to go all John Wick on people, don’t be. This is still very much a detective game at heart.
So, is it worth it? Yes, I’d say so. Especially if you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes or love a good mystery. But before you jump in, know that the open world isn’t as lively as you might hope, and some parts of the game don’t quite hit the mark. The investigations can sometimes become a shot in the dark, and Jon’s “helpful” advice is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
That said, Frogwares has done a great job with this game. It’s the first Sherlock title they’ve fully self-published, which is a big deal. Fans of the series will definitely find plenty to enjoy here, but newcomers can jump in and get the hang of it too. Be prepared to flex your brain to some extent – this isn’t a mindless shooter or hack-and-slash. You’re going to need to think and think hard.
The main narrative is solid, and I enjoyed the cases. It’s not as dark or brooding as some of the other Sherlock installments, but it gives plenty of depth and complexity to keep you interested. There’s a lot of humor, which I wasn’t expecting, and the dialogue is some of the best writing I’ve seen from Frogwares. Still, some out-of-place moments took me out of the experience. For example, the random brawls look out of place, and the open world, while fun to explore, doesn’t always mesh with the detective gameplay as well as I’d like. But overall, it’s an enjoyable ride.
Verdict
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is a fun, ambitious game. It’s not perfect, but delivers enough going for it to keep you engaged, especially if you love detective stories. You’ll have a sleuth vibe when you piece together clues and solve mysteries. Moreover, the voice acting and world-building are fantastic.
But there are some issues with it; the game can disconnect at times, has some repetitive fight sequences, and a few personality-free NPCs. And don’t get me started on the framerate issues. But despite all that, I had a good time. So if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, or love unraveling a good mystery, I’d say it’s worth checking out. But don’t expect a masterpiece – think of it more like an intriguing puzzle that’ll keep you guessing (and occasionally pulling your hair out).
