Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One Announced

Frogwares has a new entry in its Sherlock Holmes series. It’s a return to form of sorts after their exploration of Lovecraft’s works in The Sinking City. Whereas the last two games (Crime and Punishment and The Devil’s Daughter) showed Holmes and Watson at peak performance, the upcoming title will investigate Sherlock Holmes’ past in the next entry, Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One.

Deciding to focus on the famous detective’s younger years is a smart move, and some may even call it elementary. (Sorry). In the upcoming game, the player will experience what it is like to be Sherlock at the cusp of adulthood. As a 21-year old, how would he be different?

Is he already into his drug habit? Do Moriarty and him have a past in this telling of Sherlock’s life? Is Watson even around? There is a lot Frogware can do to play with expectations when it comes to a Sherlock Holmes story, and its kind of refreshing. Fortunately, they won’t stray from his established character– the developers describe him as “arrogant”, “cavalier”, and “naive”.

It will also be set in the Mediterranean, instead of the usual locale of Baker Street and the English countryside. When coupled with the larger open-world style of The Sinking City, it could make for a unique combination. The game won’t be as expansive, but it will be denser.

Now Holmes will be able to “exploit the environment” in order to take out enemies, a link to his being more “volatile” in his youthful years. The goal is to “show the events that will shape Sherlock as a great detective”, says Sergey Oganesyan, producer and community manager.

Fortunately, they will be keeping the open-ended investigations; you will still have to be thorough. You can refine your sleuthing skills and investigate Holmes’ past when Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One releases in 2021 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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