Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2007)

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
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  1. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    71
    The story and puzzle solving elements work really well, but Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is badly let down by this insistence on making some clues as obscure as possible.
  2. Quandary
    70
    The plot did lose me, and all the pieces didn't really ever come together until Holmes explained it to me at the end, but those little pieces were enjoyable in their exposition.
  3. Armchair Empire
    70
    Good stuff for adventure fans.
  5. GamingTrend
    70
    On the one hand, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a modern adventure game with upgraded production values and a compelling premise. On the other hand, it’s kind of a disappointment in terms of gameplay, relying heavily on pixel-hunting reminiscent of the bad old days of the early point-n-click adventure games.
  6. Gamer 2.0
    69
    Consider picking it up if mystery games are your genre, as it is a decent sort of game for a sleuth, even if it does sometimes feel rather barren. For others, however, this game is probably not worth its admittedly modest price.
  7. Game Revolution
    67
    All the while, the voice-acting is of adequately Thespian caliber, terribly British and snooty in all the right ways—hopefully something that won’t be changed as the game makes its way to the American market.
  8. Gamers' Temple
    67
    The Awakened will only appeal to those intrepid adventure gamers used to a healthy dose of frustration in their gameplay.
  9. PALGN
    65
    The very mention of Sherlock Holmes is enough to award some merit, and the gameplay isn't half bad either. Players thirsty for a classic adventure should give it a shot.
  10. Eurogamer
    60
    The story in question is an absolute belter.
  11. Adventure Gamers
    60
    The Awakened is a very uneven game, ranging from very poor to rather good, and the only consistent quality is its creepiness. It's worth considering if you need your horror fix, but Cthulhu will certainly forgive you if you decide to skip it.
  12. PC Zone UK
    50
    It's nothing more than average, and occasionally nothing less than irritating. [May 2007, p.76]
  13. Thunderbolt
    50
    By now, you’ve probably forgotten about the killer vagina. But while The Awakened should have been an adventure memorable for its gutsy Lovecraftian/Holmesian hybrid plot – a dark, unpredictable tale of an arcane sect responsible for kidnappings, bloody murders and dismemberments – most of that gets buried behind the sluggish game.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best PC Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 56
  3. Negative: 6 out of 56
  1. GolovA
    May 4, 2012
    6
    I must agree with some of the reviews - the puzzles are... well... either too easy (you just follow the plot and do whatever Homes says) orI must agree with some of the reviews - the puzzles are... well... either too easy (you just follow the plot and do whatever Homes says) or make no sense whatsoever. If you are looking for an adventure where you solve an inventive riddle using your mind - look some place else: this rendition of Holmes has no such puzzles. That said, the game still has some grabbing power - the intermixing of Lovecraft and Conan Doyle is quiet inventive and innovative; the execution of such **** however, suffers from lack of detail and general harmony between the two. Any adventure fan, or Holmes fan, or Lovecraft fan for that matter should definitely try this title considering the fact it is on sale on Steam for 2 bucks or so. But i would definitely not recommend it to an Adventure (Quest) fan of oldschool or newage.… Full Review »
  2. RiderA.
    Sep 14, 2007
    8
    Deep, exciting, with puzzles that are interesting, logical, and very Sherlock Holmes. The Cthulhu element is a huge bonus pitting the most Deep, exciting, with puzzles that are interesting, logical, and very Sherlock Holmes. The Cthulhu element is a huge bonus pitting the most logical of detectives with the most chaotic of elder beings. The game would have been perfect if it is not for the buggy and picky game engine. It could be fixed with a patch but doubt with the non-existing replayability the game would fair any better.… Full Review »
  3. BobH.
    Mar 10, 2007
    0
    I have often found myself wondering why this French studio keep making Sherlock Holmes games; they haven't done any research, care I have often found myself wondering why this French studio keep making Sherlock Holmes games; they haven't done any research, care little for the characters and history and include some of the worst puzzles and voice acting I have ever experienced. Then, in the product description, I noticed that 500,000 games have already been sold. That says everything, really. There is no real care or thought behind the games except to cash in on the names created by Conan Doyle over a century ago. This latest adventure, which I finished in one sitting, see our 'hero' (wrong eye colour, voice tone and outfit) hunt for demons in the USA. Now, if you are thinking that doesn't sound very 'Holmes', you'd be right. The game, as it is, is a poor excuse for an adventure, and gives the genre a bad name. There have been quite a few point and click games released these past few months, so I would suggest you seek those out, and avoid this cash-in stinker.… Full Review »
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