Nov 2021
Step back into the roaring 1880s with Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, where our favorite pipe-smoking detective is young, troubled, and sporting a wardrobe that says 'I may solve mysteries, but I also appreciate a good cape.' This charming little game is packed with intrigue, conspiracy, and it's got more plot twists than a pretzel factory. Grab your magnifying glass, because we’re diving deep into the Mediterranean island of Cordona!
Picture this: you’re a 21-year-old Sherlock Holmes, freshly arrived on a sun-soaked island to investigate the death of your mother—no pressure, right? The game plunges you into an open world where you can explore to your heart’s content (but let’s be honest, pretty much just for the sake of looking for clues). The gameplay combines classic detective work with some action-adventure elements, meaning you’ll get to whip out your inner sleuth by interrogating locals, stealing glances at suspicious writings, and piecing together quite the engaging mystery. But beware—the open world can feel a little… well, empty. Like a college dorm fridge at the end of the semester, it might just leave you feeling unsatisfied if you're not looking closely. Still, the detective mechanics are solid, and the game's mechanics encourage strategic reasoning, ensuring that the journey to solve the ultimate mystery is thorough and occasionally witty.
Rendered through Unreal Engine 4, the visuals pop with vibrant colors and the charm of the 1880s! The characters are recognizable, albeit a touch exaggerated, which works well with the narrative's sometimes whimsical tone. The environment of Cordona is beautiful—even if at times it feels like there’s no one around to appreciate it. Watch out for some technical hiccups, though; it can be as if the graphics took a few too many cues from the slow motion of a poorly animated sitcom. Still, when everything runs smoothly, it’s a picturesque setting ripe for high-stakes drama and low-key snooping.
In conclusion, Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One on the Xbox Series X/S is a solid entry into the detective genre. It serves up a combination of engaging mystery mechanics wrapped up in a gorgeous albeit somewhat sparse open world. While it may buckle under the weight of its ambitions at times, it’s still an enjoyable romp through Holmes' formative years. The game won’t quite rival the likes of your favorite blockbuster titles, but if you’ve ever thought, 'You know, I could use a little more existential dread with my literature', then it’s time to put on your deerstalker hat and dive into the sea of intrigue. Now, if only Watson could make an appearance in this epic origin story…
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