Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

The overall sentiment towards the story of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is largely positive, with several critics praising its incorporation of Lovecraftian elements and its ability to engage and entertain players. Critics such as Pocket Tactics and PC Gamer highlight the story's successful blending of Sherlock Holmes and the Lovecraft Mythos, creating a compelling narrative that combines human evil with a creeping sense of dread. The story is described as gripping, rewarding, and well-versed in the atmosphere and vibe of the Cthulhu mythos by GameSpew, Video Chums, and Pure Xbox, respectively. The interactions between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson are also noted as significant and emotional by GameGrin, adding depth to the overall story. However, there are some criticisms regarding the story of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. Critics like Hooked Gamers and New Game Network express disappointment in the narrative, citing inconsistent character reactions and a lack of regular crime-solving satisfaction. IGN also points out that the story lacks fear-inducing elements in the surroundings and is more silly than genuinely spine-chilling. God is a Geek mentions that the narrative feels rushed and lacks depth compared to previous entries in the series, while Pure Xbox notes that the investigations, characterizations, and player options have suffered due to the circumstances under which the game was made. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened successfully incorporates Lovecraftian elements and engages players with its gripping and intriguing narrative. The story holds up well, featuring twists and turns that embrace the Cthulhu mythos and supernatural elements. Despite some criticisms regarding inconsistent character reactions, lack of depth, and a rushed narrative, the story manages to entertain and frighten players, exploring dark themes and the mental state of Sherlock Holmes. The blend of Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraftian horror is generally seen as a tantalizing and successful combination, making for an engaging and mythic storyline.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's emphasis on exploration, collecting clues, and piecing together evidence to solve mysteries. Pocket Tactics praises the game for requiring players to explore and collect clues, while GameGrin finds the gameplay to be short and concise, with enjoyable puzzles. The addition of playing as John Watson is also mentioned as an interesting perspective by GameGrin. Critics such as PC Gamer and Pure Xbox appreciate the simple yet elegant mystery-solving mechanics that make players feel like real detectives. The investigative gameplay, including finding clues, recreating events, and using the Mind Palace, is also praised by critics such as CGMagazine and Checkpoint Gaming. The gameplay's focus on deduction and piecing together information is commended by GameSpew and Gaming Age. The presence of mechanics expected in a detective game, such as presenting evidence, questioning suspects, and investigating crime scenes, is noted by Push Square. While the overall sentiment towards the gameplay is positive, there are some criticisms raised by certain critics. Gamereactor UK mentions that linear chapters feel uninvolved, and GamingBolt finds the investigation mechanics to be obtuse and lacking guidance, leading to frustration and unnecessary trial and error. God is a Geek points out that the game's lack of hint systems or objective markers can result in players getting stuck often. Pure Xbox expresses disappointment in the sleuthing sequences, noting that they are not as expansive or choice-driven as usual, and that the crime scenes lack imagination and fun. Stevivor finds the investigative loop to be confusing and frustrating at times. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened offers an enjoyable and immersive gameplay experience. The game's emphasis on exploration, collecting clues, and piecing together evidence is praised by multiple critics, who appreciate the detective work and the mechanics that make players feel like real detectives. The use of the Mind Palace, the deduction system, and the ability to recreate crime scenes are highlighted as positive aspects of the gameplay. However, there are some criticisms regarding linear chapters, obtuse mechanics, lack of guidance, and occasional frustrations. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the gameplay is positive, with the game being described as entertaining, fun, and a faithful representation of detective work.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened are varied. Some critics, such as GameGrin and PC Gamer, praise the game's visuals, describing them as "gawk-inducingly gorgeous" and "beautiful diorama-like locations." They appreciate the attention to detail in the environments, particularly in the London settings, and the creative and grim scenes that contribute to the overall atmosphere. The use of darkness and light in creating a great atmosphere is also acknowledged by CGMagazine. Additionally, Impulsegamer commends the appropriate character design, clothing, and NPC's, considering the graphics to be perfect. However, there are several criticisms raised by other critics. Gamereactor UK points out issues with jerky animations, popping character models, and poor lipsync. Hooked Gamers highlights muddy textures, lacking definition, glossy faces, and poorly connected facial hair, stating that the game fails to meet the standard of other AAA games released in the same year. GamingBolt mentions rough edges, clay-like character faces, bland textures, lacking details, and wonky animations. Softpedia notes that the graphics are not as modern as expected, and there are lip-syncing issues, along with the reuse of assets in different locations. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the visuals and atmosphere created by the game, others find various flaws and technical issues that detract from the overall experience. TheXboxHub praises the well-worked historical and detailed environments, facial animations, and details in skin tones and clothing, while Xbox Achievements acknowledges the creakiness of the Unreal Engine visuals but still appreciates the sense of time and place. On the other hand, critics like IGN and Player 2 criticize the game for cut corners, abrupt transitions, recycling of character models and assets, and the lack of an exceptional visual experience. Despite the positive aspects mentioned by some critics, the negative feedback regarding technical issues and subpar graphics suggests that the overall sentiment towards the Graphics and Visual Design of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is somewhat mixed.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened are largely positive. CGMagazine praises the game for creating a sense of foreboding and maintaining it throughout, with the sound design adding to the terrifying experience. Hey Poor Player also commends the game for its expertly crafted atmosphere and environments, along with a mood-setting soundtrack and terrific voice acting. PlayStation Universe highlights the sensational voice acting, particularly Sherlock and Watson's voices matching their physical presentation, and the well-done audio work in enclosed spaces. Softpedia mentions the eerie and tense atmosphere created by the soundtrack, as well as the great voice acting. WellPlayed specifically mentions the excellent voice acting, with Alex Jordan bringing the complex character of Holmes to life and Andrew Wincott nailing the voice of Watson. They also praise the writing for capturing the posh tone of Sherlock Holmes while adding a human side. Impulsegamer and TheXboxHub also commend the voice acting, particularly for Holmes and Watson, with the latter praising the well-designed soundtrack throughout the game. However, there are a few negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. Pure Xbox mentions some issues with lip-syncing in cutscenes, and also states that the game lacks scares and tension. XboxEra notes that while the voice acting is excellent, the music and sound effects, while helping to create a period atmosphere, are not particularly memorable. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened are strong aspects of the game. The voice acting receives consistent praise, with several critics specifically mentioning the excellent performances of Holmes and Watson. The atmosphere and mood-setting created by the soundtrack are also commended, with Softpedia and TheXboxHub highlighting its effectiveness in creating an eerie and tense atmosphere. However, there are some minor issues mentioned, such as lip-syncing problems and a lack of memorable music. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics appreciating the sound design and music in Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened.

The voice acting in Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. GameGrin, Softpedia, WellPlayed, Impulsegamer, TheXboxHub, PlayStation Universe, and XboxEra all praised the voice acting, using words like "on-point," "great," "excellent," "fantastic," and "extremely well-done" to describe it. These critics specifically highlighted the performances of the actors portraying Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, with Impulsegamer noting that their back and forth cutscenes create the impression of a perfect match and complimentary friendship. WellPlayed also commended Alex Jordan for bringing the complex character of Holmes to life and Andrew Wincott for nailing the voice of Watson. The return of the excellent voice talent for Sherlock Holmes, as mentioned by Hey Poor Player, was also well-received. However, there were a few criticisms regarding the voice acting in Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. IGN and Pure Xbox both mentioned issues with lip-syncing during dialogue scenes, with IGN specifically stating that it was distracting. Xbox Achievements noted that while the performances of the voice actors for Holmes and Watson were decent, they did not stand out as much as in the previous chapter. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is excellent. The majority of the critics praised the performances, with specific recognition given to the actors portraying Holmes and Watson. The return of the excellent voice talent for Sherlock Holmes was also seen as a positive aspect. Despite some minor criticisms regarding lip-syncing issues, the voice acting was consistently described as on-point, great, and fantastic. This positive consensus suggests that the voice acting greatly enhances the overall experience of the game.

In terms of the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch, Pocket Tactics mentions rendering issues and frequent frame rate drops. This indicates that the game may not run smoothly on this platform. However, it is important to note that no other critics provided opinions specifically for the Nintendo Switch version, so it is difficult to draw a comprehensive conclusion about its technical performance. Moving on to the PC version, Hooked Gamers expresses that the game often feels rushed and suffers from a rushed development cycle. IGN also mentions cut corners, including abrupt transitions between sequences and recycling of character models and assets. These criticisms suggest that the PC version may have technical shortcomings and lack attention to detail. On the other hand, New Game Network and Wccftech have positive experiences with the PC version, stating that the game runs smoothly at max settings and flawlessly on PC with no performance issues. This indicates that the technical performance on PC can vary, with some players experiencing smooth gameplay while others encounter rushed development and cut corners. For the PlayStation 5 version, GamingBolt mentions that the game feels janky to play, with issues in movement and controls. However, Hey Poor Player has a positive experience, mentioning fast load times and no bugs, frame drops, or stuttering. PlayStation Universe notes some technical issues, such as observation prompts not appearing consistently and occasional camera glitches, but states that they don't significantly impact the experience. Softpedia mentions lip-syncing issues and reused assets in different locations. On the other hand, Video Chums praises the fast loading times and high-quality video and audio experience. Overall, the opinions for the PlayStation 5 version are mixed, with some critics highlighting technical issues while others have a smooth experience. Regarding the Xbox Series X version, Impulsegamer mentions encountering bugs, such as an investigation scene not completing, but hopes that these issues will be patched or resolved. MondoXbox also encounters a bug that forces the reviewer to replay an entire chapter, indicating potential technical issues. Pure Xbox mentions technical issues such as lip-syncing problems and finicky pixel-hunting for clues. However, Xbox Achievements states that there are minor bugs, but nothing notable to highlight. XboxEra mentions a specific bug related to falling from elevations that can cause the protagonist to get stuck in a falling loop, and also criticizes the map system for not being helpful in navigating the game. This suggests that the Xbox Series X version may have some technical issues that need to be addressed. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened are mixed across different gaming platforms. While some critics have positive experiences with smooth gameplay and fast load times, others encounter issues such as frame rate drops, recycled assets, and bugs. The consensus among the critics is that there are technical issues present in the game, but their impact on the overall experience varies. It is important for the developers to address these technical shortcomings to ensure a more consistent and enjoyable gameplay experience for all players.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened are quite varied. Some critics, such as Checkpoint Gaming and Hey Poor Player, highlight the game's replay value due to optional side cases, rewards for finding clues, and multiple playthroughs required for 100% completion. Checkpoint Gaming specifically mentions the option to replay chapters to uncover missed details, which adds to the game's replayability. This aspect is further supported by Hey Poor Player, who mentions bonus unlockables, additional outfits, collectibles, and concept art as incentives for multiple playthroughs. These positive aspects contribute to the game's replay value and provide an engaging experience for players who enjoy exploring all the game has to offer. However, there are critics who express concerns about the replay value of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. PC Gamer mentions the short length of the game and the additional side quests as paid DLC, which may leave some players wanting more. Player 2 also raises doubts about the game's replay value, citing its short playtime and lack of complexity compared to other Sherlock Holmes games. Video Chums further supports this notion, stating that the game is lacking in terms of side-quests and extras. These criticisms suggest that the game may not provide enough content or depth to warrant multiple playthroughs for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the replay value of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. While some critics, like Checkpoint Gaming and Hey Poor Player, highlight the game's replayability through optional side cases, rewards, and multiple playthroughs, others, such as PC Gamer, Player 2, and Video Chums, express concerns about the game's short length, lack of complexity, and limited side-quests. Pure Xbox also notes that the game may have replay value for hardcore fans of the Sherlock Holmes franchise but is compromised compared to previous games in the series. Xbox Achievements provides a contrasting opinion, stating that there is zero replay value after completing the game once. Taking into account these varying viewpoints, it can be concluded that while some players may find value in replaying Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened, others may feel that it lacks enough content or depth to warrant multiple playthroughs.