Game Reviews

Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper is the latest entry in the popular Sherlock Holmes mystery game series for the computer. Developed by the same company, Frogwares, that has designed the most recent Sherlock Holmes games, this game follows the same format of a traditional adventure game with conversation, puzzles and a compelling mystery.

The year is 1888, and London is being terrified by a serial killer who is savagely killing prostitutes. There are no witnesses to the crimes, and the police do not have any clues as to the identity of the murderer. Sherlock Holmes and his friend, Dr. Watson, are concerned and want to help with solving the crimes. They begin by visiting the police station in the area of the murders, and solicit information. Soon, they are investigating clues and questioning possible witnesses. With Holmes and Watson on the case, it is only a matter of time before the perpetrator is caught!This Sherlock Holmes Mystery adventure is similar in design to the other ones in the series, but has some changes. Players can now play in either a first-person or third-person perspective, and toggle back and forth between the two modes during the course of the game. There is also a deduction board for use in putting together clues found near the bodies, in order to formulate a theory as to the circumstances of each murder. Similarities include manipulative puzzles, and conversation dialogues. The conversations cannot be revisited, but each is saved in Sherlock’s personal case notes. There is a map for traveling, as well. I can’t remember if the map was present in the previous games, or not.The adventure begins with Sherlock and Watson visiting the police station near White Chapel, the area where the murders take place. The first tasks are “fetch and carry” errands commissioned by various characters who will only give information or objects in exchange for certain items or favors. I was struck by how silly these errands were, given the nature of the person carrying them out, but then Sherlock Holmes made a remark about having to hurt himself if he had to run any more errands, and I was amused. The rest of the game concentrated on investigating the actual crimes, and evidently these errands were to get the player used to the mechanics of the game.