The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

About The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

Frogwares released The Testament of Sherlock Holmes in late September 2012 for PC, PS3, Xbox 360, and later Switch and PS4. Atlus handled the publishing duties for this point-and-click adventure set in 1898 London. You play as the titular detective who finds himself framed for theft, fraud, and murder while fleeing Scotland Yard. The narrative explores a darker side of Holmes as he tries to clear his name before losing everyone's trust. This entry focuses heavily on investigation mechanics rather than pure combat or action sequences. Players explore Victorian streets and crime scenes to gather evidence and solve complex mysteries that challenge their logic skills.

Gameplay

Sessions revolve around exploring environments, clicking on items to inspect them, and talking to suspects in the classic point-and-click format. You will examine clues closely and use a deduction system to connect facts logically before presenting your conclusions to witnesses. The game forces you to choose specific questioning approaches that can catch characters off guard or back them into corners. Each puzzle requires you to reenact crimes or piece together disjointed information to find the truth. You decide which leads to pursue while ignoring red herrings that waste valuable time. Controls remain straightforward with a mouse or controller, letting you focus on the investigative work rather than complex inputs.

What Players Think

Critics and players have rated this title 76.4 out of 100 on IGDB based on 117 ratings. The community mood leans toward appreciation for the story but acknowledges the difficulty of the puzzles. Average playtime hovers around the 12-hour mark for a standard run through the campaign. Only 34% of players unlock achievements across the 32 available, suggesting many find the challenges quite demanding. The rarest achievement is "Blackmailer," which only 5.90% of users have earned. Review snippets often mention the mature storyline as a highlight while noting that some investigation logic can feel obtuse without multiple playthroughs to catch missed details.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for players who enjoy slow-paced mystery solving over action. The $1.99 price point on GOG makes it an easy buy even if the achievement hunt fails you. Those seeking a complete walkthrough might struggle with the 5.90% unlock rate for "Blackmailer" without external guides. The investigation system offers genuine depth, but the low completion stats prove that not everyone will finish the story. If you want to spend an afternoon figuring out how a murder happened in Victorian London, this fits your needs. Otherwise, the steep learning curve might frustrate casual fans of the genre.

Storyline

Unable to prove his own innocence, Holmes is rapidly losing London’s trust as doubt spreads through the city like wildfire. Even Doctor Watson's faith in his friend begins to waver, as the famous detective flees Scotland Yard and raises further suspicion; prowling around at night, destruction of evidence... would Holmes go so far as to commit murder?