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Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

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6.5 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 28 critic reviews
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Based on 7 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Focus Home Interactive

Developer: Frogwares

Genre(s): Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: September 7, 2007

Summary

A veritable adventure game licence, Sherlock Holmes returns in a superb third episode that gives a whole new angle to the series. The game rises to the challenge of being entirely in 3D; while the creators have kept classic game mechanics, the game benefits from the freedom and the immersion brought by a superb animated and detailed real time 3D environment. The game has traditional Point & Click game play, in a real time 3D environment, while offering numerous enigmas and varied puzzles including some that use physics and light for the first time. The game plunges the player into the heart of a terrifying investigation. Sherlock Holmes, assisted by the loyal Doctor Watson, investigates strange disappearances which seem related to the activity of a secret sect. The adventure begins in London, in the renowned Baker Street, taking us then to investigate a disturbing psychiatric hospital near Bale, Switzerland, then on to Louisiana and finally to Scotland. [Ascaron]

Also On The Web: Official Website

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...

Pelit (Finland)

The combination of Holmes and Cthulhu works very well. The puzzles are challenging but realistic, and the plot is intriguing. On the minus side, there is too much running to and fro and sometimes the 3D environment makes it hard to find the needed things. [Feb 2007]

Game Chronicles

All in all, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a highly enjoyable, creepy but enjoyable experience. That almost dead-end moment (thank god for multiple save slots) was a pain and I could have done without that.

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GameZone

Kudos to the design team for presenting an interesting and involving mystery that causes players to think. My only negative opinion is that the unnecessary use of graphic violence precludes letting the teens play, which is unfortunate.

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Cheat Code Central

The Awakened is a good romp. It treats the subject matter with respect, always mindful that this is first and foremost a detective game. Get out your pointers, and start clicking.

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GameSpot

An engaging story, logical puzzles, and nice visuals combine to make The Awakened a great adventure game.

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IGN

It might be going too far to suggest that you'll like The Awakened even if you're not a fan of adventure games, but for those adventure fans who are looking for smart puzzles and a sophisticated story, this game has it in spades.

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GameDaily

With a rousing, pulp fiction style story that seamlessly intertwines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's world famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, into H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, a slew of incredibly shrewd and logical puzzles and a surprisingly beautiful game world to explore, players get a mature, immersive experience that will have them begging for more adventures like this one.

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IC-Games

The move to first person works exceptionally well and anyone who has played "Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth" will feel at home straight away.

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PC Gamer

That sloppiness nags at me because it blows what could have been a great immersive experience, but given that The Awakened managed to engage my brain without demolishing it, lets just say I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers. [Nov 2007, p.74]

GamingExcellence

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is an engaging adventure title, accessible to everyone, but still offers a few challenges to even the most experienced adventure gamer.

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Just Adventure

Those who are only interested in Eye Candy or who are squeamish at the sight of blood should probably look elsewhere. But those who like a good story and lots of inventory based puzzles should enjoy it.

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Strategy Informer

While the game does deliver a nice bundle of challenges and like a larger number of other adventure titles now it comes with a FPS feel, you could still do better.

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Worth Playing

Some frustrating puzzles and dark environments certainly take Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened down a notch or two, but the incredible story, terrific presentation and super-fun investigations are more than enough to make this title an easy recommendation for any fans of the adventure genre.

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Game Over Online

The engine is unusual, but it doesn’t look especially good. The storyline is intriguing, but it’s a lot darker and more gruesome than you’d expect from a Sherlock Holmes tale.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

The story and puzzle solving elements work really well, but Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is badly let down by this insistence on making some clues as obscure as possible.

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Quandary

The plot did lose me, and all the pieces didn't really ever come together until Holmes explained it to me at the end, but those little pieces were enjoyable in their exposition.

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Armchair Empire

Good stuff for adventure fans.

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GamingTrend

On the one hand, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a modern adventure game with upgraded production values and a compelling premise. On the other hand, it’s kind of a disappointment in terms of gameplay, relying heavily on pixel-hunting reminiscent of the bad old days of the early point-n-click adventure games.

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Gamer 2.0

Consider picking it up if mystery games are your genre, as it is a decent sort of game for a sleuth, even if it does sometimes feel rather barren. For others, however, this game is probably not worth its admittedly modest price.

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Game Revolution

All the while, the voice-acting is of adequately Thespian caliber, terribly British and snooty in all the right ways—hopefully something that won’t be changed as the game makes its way to the American market.

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Gamers' Temple

The Awakened will only appeal to those intrepid adventure gamers used to a healthy dose of frustration in their gameplay.

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PALGN

The very mention of Sherlock Holmes is enough to award some merit, and the gameplay isn't half bad either. Players thirsty for a classic adventure should give it a shot.

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Eurogamer

The story in question is an absolute belter.

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Adventure Gamers

The Awakened is a very uneven game, ranging from very poor to rather good, and the only consistent quality is its creepiness. It's worth considering if you need your horror fix, but Cthulhu will certainly forgive you if you decide to skip it.

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PC Zone UK

It's nothing more than average, and occasionally nothing less than irritating. [May 2007, p.76]

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Thunderbolt

By now, you’ve probably forgotten about the killer vagina. But while The Awakened should have been an adventure memorable for its gutsy Lovecraftian/Holmesian hybrid plot – a dark, unpredictable tale of an arcane sect responsible for kidnappings, bloody murders and dismemberments – most of that gets buried behind the sluggish game.

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PC Gamer UK

Disjointed and muddled, wth embarrassingly bad acting. [May 2007, p.83]

GameShark

From the uninteresting story, to the mediocre voice acting, uninspired puzzles, and serious technical issues, there's really nothing to recommend here. The adventure game genre is not what it once was and your choices may be limited; nevertheless, The Awakened is not worth your time.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Rider A. gave it an8:
Deep, exciting, with puzzles that are interesting, logical, and very Sherlock Holmes. The Cthulhu element is a huge bonus pitting the most logical of detectives with the most chaotic of elder beings. The game would have been perfect if it is not for the buggy and picky game engine. It could be fixed with a patch but doubt with the non-existing replayability the game would fair any better.

Bob H. gave it a0:
I have often found myself wondering why this French studio keep making Sherlock Holmes games; they haven't done any research, care little for the characters and history and include some of the worst puzzles and voice acting I have ever experienced. Then, in the product description, I noticed that 500,000 games have already been sold. That says everything, really. There is no real care or thought behind the games except to cash in on the names created by Conan Doyle over a century ago. This latest adventure, which I finished in one sitting, see our 'hero' (wrong eye colour, voice tone and outfit) hunt for demons in the USA. Now, if you are thinking that doesn't sound very 'Holmes', you'd be right. The game, as it is, is a poor excuse for an adventure, and gives the genre a bad name. There have been quite a few point and click games released these past few months, so I would suggest you seek those out, and avoid this cash-in stinker.

Andrew M. gave it a9:
Am only a little over half way through but feel compelled to vote already. If you like adventure games mixed with genuine detective work and straight-forward mental challenge - you truly can't go wrong with The Awakened. Great story (thus far), voice acting, location and design; if only the loading times were significantly shorter, this would be a perfect 10. Great game for mystery buffs who enjoy adventure!

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Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

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What The Critics Said

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