Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2023 video game)
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is an adventure video game developed and published by Frogwares. It is a remake of the 2007 game Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened and the tenth installment in the Sherlock Holmes series. The remake builds upon the original game with updated visuals, a new voice cast, and improved gameplay. The plot was also reworked to serve as a sequel to the 2021 game Sherlock Holmes Chapter One.
| Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Frogwares |
| Publisher(s) | Frogwares |
| Composer(s) | Viacheslav Pakalin |
| Series | Sherlock Holmes |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | April 11, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on April 11, 2023. The game received generally positive reviews upon release.
Release
The game was announced in July 2022.[1] A Kickstarter campaign was launched on August 4.[2] The developer stated that the Kickstarter funding was meant to provide a financial safety net for the game.[3] The game was funded on Kickstarter on September 5.[4] The game's release was delayed by about a month due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.[5] One of the development difficulties were the scheduled blackouts instituted by the Ukrainian government.[6]
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 75/100 (PS5)[7] 70/100 (PC)[8] 73/100 (XSX)[9] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| NME | 4/5 (XSX)[10] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 80/100 (PC)[11] |
| CGMagazine | 7.5/10 (PS5)[12] |
| Pocket Tactics | 6/10 (Switch)[13] |
The game received "generally favorable" reviews for the PlayStation 5 version,[7] and "mixed or average" reviews for the PC and Xbox Series X versions.[8][9]
PC Gamer called the game "cleverly designed, atmospheric, and polished" but criticized the short length and the DLC policy where all the side quests have to be bought separately.[11] Rock Paper Shotgun recommended the game to fans of the series only.[14] NME liked the removal of combat from the game but disliked the puzzle design in other world sections.[10] CGMagazine called the game "a solid entry to the franchise".[12] Pocket Tactics liked the game but didn't recommend playing it on the Switch due to performance issues.[13]
References
- ^ Wheeler, CJ (28 July 2022). "Sherlock Holmes is taking on Cthulhu again in a remake of 2007's The Awakened". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened - Reveal Trailer". IGN. Ziff Davis. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Harding, Chris (5 August 2022). "Sherlock Holmes The Awakened Smashes Kickstarter Goal in Just 6 Hours, First Trailer Released". DualShockers. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ Oganesyan, Sergey (5 September 2022). "Sherlock Holmes The Awakened Funded On Kickstarter!". Frogwares. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Bellingham, Hope (16 February 2023). "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened dev reveals delay due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine". GamesRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Valentine, Robin (17 February 2023). "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened delay announcement doubles as a short war documentary". PC Gamer. Future plc. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ a b Allen, Jen (11 April 2023). "'Sherlock Holmes The Awakened' review: a diamond in the rough". NME. NME Networks. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ a b Valentine, Robin (April 2023). "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened review". PC Gamer. Future plc. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ a b Walters, David (11 April 2023). "Sherlock Holmes The Awakened (PS5) Review". CGMagazine. CGMagazine Publishing Group. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ a b Partleton, Kayleigh (April 2023). "Sherlock Holmes: The Awakening Switch review – I am a brain, Watson". Pocket Tactics. Network N. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Bell, Alice (12 April 2023). "Sherlock Holmes The Awakened review: a creepy Lovecraftian jaunt for Frogwares fans". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved 27 April 2023.