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Secret of the Silver Earring pc Game Reviews
Secret of the Silver Earring
Critic Score
Metascore: 68 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.0 out of 10
based on 29 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

(Also known as "Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Silver Earring") London 1895: A wealthy construction tycoon lies dead in his mansion. Join Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they interview suspects, investigate the crime scene and uncover family secrets that might point to the murderer. Play one of the most intriguing and captivating plots ever created for the Sherlock Holmes character. Clues will take players to Brazil, India, and more than 40 19th-century London locations. Developed by Frogwares Studio, Secret of the Silver Earring allows players to experience a new murder-mystery adventure featuring the investigative skills of world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. The game features over 30 investigating hours and five graphically rich levels that bring the fog-laced streets of London to life. Each level requires players to question witnesses, investigate potential suspects and uncover clues. Players will consider the evidence at the end of each level and put their powers of deduction to the test. Play as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in an original storyline inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." [Ubisoft]

PUBLISHER: Ubisoft
DEVELOPER: Frogwares
GENRE(S): Adventure
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: September 7, 2004

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

93
GamingTrend
A wonderful package. Don't wait on the bargain bin for this one, as it is worth the price from the get go.
Read Full Review
85
eToychest
Luckily, despite the linearity, the story, characters, and dialogue is compelling enough to keep you going.
Read Full Review
83
IGN
This title is very well put together, with an interesting mystery to solve and lacking the frustration so common with many adventure titles.
Read Full Review
82
Warcry
The skill in the art and voice acting will probably convince you that you are indeed back in 1897 London, pursuing a murderer or murderers with all the skill and passion locked in your little Holmesian heart.
Read Full Review
81
Game Over Online
If you're like me and you've enjoyed other investigative games in the past, then you'll probably like this one, too, but if you're hoping for a true adventure, then you should probably look elsewhere.
Read Full Review
80
Times Online
The game does move at a slow pace, but with such a complex case to unravel this is no time to rush about, eh, Watson?
Read Full Review
80
Computer Gaming World
With any luck, this game is only the beginning of a rich, rewarding series. [Jan 2005, p.96]
79
IC-Games
For anyone wanting to try out adventure games then they should give this a shot, Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Silver Earring is probably the best adventure game out right now.
Read Full Review
76
Computer Games Online RO
An interesting game for those who love the genre and a totally unimportant one for the rest of you.
Read Full Review
75
1UP
The atmosphere here is thunderously successful, and its strength makes this a recommended play all by itself.
Read Full Review
75
Just Adventure
It's so annoying when a game is so near being great and falls short because of a lack of attention in a few areas.
Read Full Review
73
GameSpot
The game features interesting characters, an engaging plot, and beautiful graphics, yet it's an adventure with few puzzles and a mystery where you don't actually solve the mystery.
Read Full Review
71
Gamer's Hell
The attractive graphics, excellent voice work and relatively coherent , if convoluted, story offer some promise, but a there just isn't enough game in this game.
Read Full Review
71
Ferrago
The sedate gameplay does not induce sleep but a feeling of tranquillity similar to the buzz from opium. The Case of the Silver Earring is not going to revitalise the adventure genre but it is well coded and written and acted with some flair and passion.
Read Full Review
70
Quandary
A visually stunning game, the graphics are gorgeous with lavish and vibrant Victorian locations. The character modelling is equally impressive with the exception of lip synching and the glaring omission of face masks in the scene where Holmes and Watson are meant to be wearing them.
Read Full Review
70
Adventure Gamers
It sacrifices too much gameplay for narrative at times, and its missed opportunities keep it from greatness, but it's reasonably fun while it lasts.
Read Full Review
70
Computer Games Magazine
That you can complete the game without really solving the case on your own makes this as much an interactive movie as an adventure. [Jan 2005, p.71]
70
Game Chronicles
Free movement, a slightly better soundtrack and replayability would have helped a lot. Ubi Soft did however, stay true to the legend of Holmes, so they'll earn brownie points with players.
Read Full Review
70
GameSpy
The game manual claims to provide 25-30 hours of gameplay, but in truth it will likely take you only half of that.
Read Full Review
68
Xequted
And although the rigid gameplay is frustrating at times, taking on a mystery in the shoes of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson has a certain appeal that is hard not to deny.
Read Full Review
66
RealGamer
Unfortunately though for the less patient among us, The Silver Earring makes detective work a boring job, the witnesses have nothing interesting to say half the time and tend to babble on in the most boring manner and the quiz at the end of each chapter is enough to make you want to give up completely.
Read Full Review
65
Gamers Europe
Could have been an excellent point and click adventure, instead it leaves a taste of unfinished development work in your mouth. Regardless, a mostly enjoyable romp and probably one of the best adventure games this year ' genre fans will love it.
Read Full Review
65
Worth Playing
Grab a walkthrough or something and get this one on the cheap and you're good for several hours of fun watching Sherlock solve a deeply baffling case. People who actually like to PLAY their mystery games, though, can take a pass here.
Read Full Review
60
Four Fat Chicks
Initially, the game impresses with attractive settings, decent voice acting and the promise of a thoughtful mystery to be solved. Unfortunately, this becomes bogged down by static scenes, poor character movement control, obscure pixel-hunting and the wearying need to redo conversations.
Read Full Review
60
Boomtown
The satisfying conclusion does go far to wrap up everything brought up in the game and reminds you of things you may have forgotten.
Read Full Review
46
PC Format
Miserable nonsense that would have Holmes reaching for the syringe. Real detective work is tedious, lengthy, frustrating and often pointless. In that sense at least, Silver earring is spot on. This is fun how? [Nov 2004]
41
PC Gamer UK
A very flat, slow series of mouse clicks, only interrupted by the unlpleasant appearance of test papers based on what you've just played. [May 2006, p.97]
40
AceGamez
Playable, but only just. The gameplay is stuttering, the controls awkward and the justification for location visitation is non-existent.
Read Full Review
24
PC Gamer
The mystery is why you would insult yourself by playing it. [Feb 2005, p.61]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[Anonymous] gave it a6:
Story too complex, but nice. graphics and sound very good. Gameplay a little boring and confusing.

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