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Frogwares's take on the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson has taken the gaming world by storm since its first launch in 2002 up until 2021 with Sherlock Holmes Chapter One.
From solving London's most perplexing murders to breaking into a Swiss asylum, nothing and no one can stop the great Sherlock Holmes! With more than ten games in the series, there are some that stand out more than others.
Beware of spoilers for the games listed here!
9 Crimes & Punishments
The 2014 addition of Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments sees Holmes and Watson in six riveting murder cases. Also, it is the first game in the Sherlock Holmes series that allows you to peek into the mind of Sherlock Holmes and make your own deductions.
Crimes & Punishments takes inspiration from the many stories of Sherlock Holmes, but this time, what happens to the criminal is up to you. For example, if you let some of the murderers go, you'll be ranked as a 'sympathizing' detective.
Whether you choose to make Holmes a cold, Machiavellian man or an understanding and kind detective, the choice is in your hands.
8 The Awakened
The Awakened sees Holmes and Watson alerted to a possible kidnapping ring and a string of gory murders. The game sends you away from the familiar streets of London to the depths of a Swiss asylum, and eventually the crocodile-infested swamps of New Orleans.
A group of madmen had kidnapped people from all over the world in order to complete a sadistic ritual for a Cthuhlu-like creature. They drugged and sacrificed their victims to the monster so that it will end the world.
This case was so traumatic that Watson is shown to still be haunted by it in the following games.
7 The Testament Of Sherlock Holmes
The Bishop of Knightsbridge's brutal killing was the beginning of the end of Sherlock Holmes's glittering career. He is blamed for many things, including killing Scotland Yard's Inspector Baynes. Holmes shoots himself in the head, seemingly proving his guilt.
But Holmes's suicide was a hoax, all to lure out the true culprit: Professor Moriarty. The evil professor needed Holmes out of the way in order to take over the whole of England.
Holmes outsmarted Moriarty, promising to look after the professor's daughter before his death.
6 Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
Unlike the previous games, Frogwares's newest installment in the Sherlock Holmes series is an open-world detective game set on the fictional island of Cordona. A young, fresh-faced Sherlock Holmes solves thrilling cases all around the island while tackling the mystery of his mother's death.
Despite the wonky combat mechanics, numerous glitches, and nonsensical details, this game's side missions are nothing to scoff at. They're a joy to solve and keep you on your toes!
5 The Mystery Of The Mummy
In this installment, Sherlock Holmes investigates the disappearance of Ancient Egyptian archaeologist Lord Montcalfe. Montcalfe's mansion is booby-trapped and a walking, living mummy stalks its halls.
Filled with challenging puzzles, Holmes discovers the truth. Lord Montcalfe was hiding in his mansion, hoarding his treasures away from his daughter, Elizabeth. The latter turns out to be the leader of a fanatical cult and teamed up with her cousin to steal and then kill Holmes. Both father and daughter dressed up as the mummy and were hell-bent on killing each other.
Really, the apple does not fall far from the tree...
4 Sherlock Holmes Versus Jack The Ripper
The 2008 installment sees Holmes and Watson investigate one of the worst serial killers in the world: Jack the Ripper. The Ripper brutally murders Whitechapel sex workers before vanishing like a ghost.
In Frogwares's version of events, Holmes did indeed figure out who Jack the Ripper is. He didn't reveal the truth because the Ripper was a Jewish butcher, and doing so would cause the whole city to retaliate against London's Jewish community.
Instead, Holmes alerted the Jewish community and they dealt with the madman themselves.
3 The Hound Of The Baskervilles
Unlike the main games, the Hound of the Baskervilles is a hidden object game. Frogwares decided to take some creative license with the story, choosing to use actual supernatural and magical elements.
Like the book, Henry Baskerville asks for Holmes's help in stopping the curse that has plagued his family for generations. The Hound regularly kills Baskerville heirs and Henry is afraid that he's next.
From ghosts of dead Baskervilles to the actual Hound itself, this game is a thrilling mystery from start to finish.
2 Sherlock Holmes Versus Arsène Lupin
Sherlock Holmes goes head-to-head with the infamous French thief and escape artist Arsene Lupin. Lupin sends Holmes a letter, saying that he is planning to steal England's greatest treasures.
After a series of failures, Holmes finally manages to catch Lupin at the Tower of London, where he plans to take the Crown Jewels. Holmes stops him, but opts to let him go scot-free after Lupin returns all the things he stole.
Although there isn't really a thrilling murder to solve, this cat-and-mouse chase sees Lupin nearly outsmart the great Sherlock Holmes himself!
1 The Case Of The Silver Earring
The murder of wealthy tycoon Melvin Bromsby at his daughter's party sets Holmes and Watson on the move. The second installment of the Sherlock Holmes series unmasks a trail of lies, murder, and greed.
As the story progresses, more bodies are uncovered, including Bromsby's lawyer, his nephew, and the barman. This is the first game where you are able to control both Holmes and Watson and see things based on each character's perspective.
Holmes stops Bromsby's daughter in time before she could marry her father's murderer. It turns out Lieutenant Herrington teamed up with Bromsby's nephew and a theatre costumer to steal the Bromsby fortune.