- Broken Base:
- Some express annoyance with how gameplay and the mysteries have been simplified over time, compared to how earlier games were a bit more complex with a stronger focus on gathering clues. Others argue this is only a natural result of later games moving to other platforms besides PC and makes the games easier for new players to get into, and that while different it allowed the introduction of several new elements and was still good.
- A similar debate has been caused by how The Devil's Daughter updated the character models to abandon the previous appearances of Holmes and Watson and replace them with something with a more modern feel, something Chapter One continued. Some feel that it helps give the games a unique look of their own and others feel it's an unnecessary change and doesn't fit with the overall aesthetic of the series.
- Enjoy the Story, Skip the Game: While the gameplay is rarely considered bad and has improved with each new game, it's hardly exceptional compared to other games. The only gameplay aspect that's usually given any praise is the detective aspect which helps create the feeling of actually playing as the famous detective. When it comes to the story however, many praise the different mysterious they are required to solve and the overall storylines of each games.
- Fanon Welding: There is no official connection between these games and The Sinking City, though the latter does have a Shout-Out to Sherlock Holmes Versus Arsène Lupin with a poster called "Mystery of the Creepy Watson", a reference to the infamous and unnerving off-screen teleporting Watson does in the game. However, Chapter One has a few easter eggs to The Sinking City and the Cthulhu Mythos with the Cabinet of Curiosities such as a diving suit that's used in the game and a statue of Cthulhu himself, while the 2023 remake of The Awakened is a crossover with the Cthulhu Mythos. As a result, many consider The Sinking City to be canon to the Chapter One continuity, but simply set decades later.
- Sacred Cow: In a series that's generally considered to be a case of So Okay, It's Average and Enjoy the Story, Skip the Game, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments are the most highly rated instalments and most beloved by fans, especially the latter. This unsurprisingly also applies to Kerry Shale who voiced Holmes in those games, with many considering him the best actor to portray Holmes in the series. To a lesser extent, The Awakened is a fan favourite in the series and is equally well liked by both Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraft fans. In short, criticising any of these or claiming they are bad is not a good idea.
- So Okay, It's Average: Overall the series is this, with it's main appeal being that it's basically the only video game series based on the famous detective. While the story of each game is often well liked, the gameplay has at best been slightly above average and generally the series has gotten mixed reviews from critics.
- They Changed It, So It Sucks:
- As noted in Broken Base above, many PC fans have criticised how the gameplay and mysteries have become more simplified over time, as opposed to earlier games had more focus on Holmes finding clues.
- The Devil's Daughter's attempt to modernise the series by taking inspiration from other adaptations was also criticised by these older fans, many being annoyed by how Chapter One continued this change.
- While many have voiced Holmes in this series, Kerry Shale is considered to be the best by players while The Testament of Sherlock Holmes and Crimes & Punishments are the most well liked games in the series. As a result many were disappointed when Shale, despite believing he would return to the role, was replaced by Alex Jordan in The Devil's Daughter. While many came round to Jordan's portrayal, feeling that he was better suited when he played a younger version of the character in Chapter One, other remained disappointed that Shale wasn't brought back.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/YMMV/SherlockHolmesFrogwares
YMMV
Go To
