Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
| Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective | |
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| Developer(s) | ICOM Simulations |
| Platform(s) | FM Towns DOS Macintosh CDTV TurboGrafx-CD Sega CD |
| Release date(s) | 1991 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure, Interactive movie |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | |
| Media/distribution | CD-ROM |
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective is a full motion video (FMV) based video game predicated on a book-based game of the same name. It was first developed by ICOM Simulations for the FM Towns computer and later ported to DOS, Apple Macintosh, Commodore CDTV, TurboGrafx-CD and Sega CD with all versions being distributed on CD-ROM. The game was re-released as a DVD for use with a standard DVD player and television in 1999.
The game uses live actors and sets as the player controls Sherlock Holmes and his longtime partner Dr. Watson, trying to solve three separate crimes by visiting various locations, listening to the dialogue, reading the included mock London newspapers, and, when the player gets enough evidence, answering the judge's questions.
Contents |
[edit] Cases
At the beginning of each case a full motion video clip depicts Holmes and Watson meeting a client and learning a few background clues about the case. Then the player must visit a particular location or person, read the London newspapers for clues or ask one of the young Baker Street Irregulars to investigate. The object of each case is to gather enough clues in the shortest time possible, then go before a judge who will then ask the player to answer the important questions about the case. If the player is successful, a full motion video clip will take the player back to Holmes' and Watson's study where they will review the events that transpired, and Dr. Watson will inform the player of his or her score, based on the length of time it took to solve the case.
[edit] The Mummy's Curse
Holmes and Watson learn about a series of mysterious deaths of three men who were part of an archeology trip to Egypt. Each man was found strangled with a sheath of a mummy's wrapping present at each murder. The London Times believes the deaths were caused by an ancient mummy, creating public hysteria. Holmes and Watson decide take on the case to find the real culprit but they face a challenge since only one murder was in London while another was in Egypt and another was at sea.
[edit] The Mystified Murderess
Francis Nolan is found hovering over the body of her lover, Guy Clarendon, in a London hotel with a pistol in her hand. She's convicted of Guy's murder, despite having no memory of ever being there, nor purchasing the gun that was bought in her name. She insists that she's innocent as Holmes and Watson take on the case to see if she is telling the truth. Along the way, Holmes and Watson learn about Guy Clarendon's dark past.
[edit] The Tin Soldier
An old general is murdered in his home by a mysterious visitor who quickly vanishes from the scene of the crime. Holmes and Watson investigate to see whether the crime was due to the general's part in a Veteran Tontine, a book he was writing on a missing diamond, or something hidden deep in his past.
[edit] Sequel
A sequel to the game was also released in 1992 called Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. II with three new cases to be solved. A third entry, with three new cases, was also released, albeit not for the Sega CD.
[edit] Reception
The game was reviewed in 1991 in Dragon #175 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ BBFC rating of Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
- ^ Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (November 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (175): 57–66.
[edit] External links
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