Atlus is the first gaming company that has released a Sherlock Holmes-based titles that is good. Previous games (2010’s vs. Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened) were pretty sad; the sheer immersion factor that is present in The Testament of Sherlock Holmes will have players locked in to the game for tens of hours.
I believe that the lushly-varied backdrops and sheer amount of clues (useful and red herrings), coupled with a wide-open way in which to solve each crime is what sets off this title from other mystery genre efforts. The storyline is interesting; Sherlock Holmes has been accused of trying to pass off a forgery of priceless jewels to their rightful owner after being tapped to ensure their safe retrieval. The learning curve of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes is considerable, but will not lock individuals out from completing the title. One may need to look at the clues and information that they have for a few minutes, but they will be able to continue just as soon as they piece things together. The variety of puzzles that are presented to players give this game further legs, as well as create something more akin to a Sherlock Holmes mystery than we have previously seen in video game treatments of the master.
Check out the Atlus website for more information about the titles that they will release through the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. Here’s to hoping that they can continue to get the rights to these storied characters and provide them with the treatment that they deserve. The Testament of Sherlock Holmes is a title that breaks free of genre conventions and will be something that a wide swath of players can appreciate.
Rating: 8.1/10
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (Playstation 3) / 2012 Atlus / http://www.atlus.com