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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ripping good time, May 28, 2009
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper (CD-ROM)
This installment is my new favorite in the Holmes series. It's a dark, sometimes terrifying journey into London's underbelly and the murders that plagued the area in 1888. But for a game about Jack the Ripper, it's not overtly gory and is done `tastefully.' However, the 2D renderings of some of the murder victims are still disturbing.
There are numerous puzzles, from very easy to more difficult number combination and sliding object tasks, but none are computer destroying impossible and can be figured out with a little logic. There are also many retrieve this-to make-that tasks and errands that must be done before the next sequence is revealed, but all are pertinent to the story line, are never MacGyver-level stupidity and are not boring. The ability to switch between 1st and 3rd (annoying) person is new to this game, but I mostly used first person (it makes the game more engrossing). It is a fairly long game (about 20-40 hours gameplay), but there are numerous prompts to avoid the what-do-I-do-now syndrome and the item interaction search feature cuts down on the pixel hunting that was rampant in the previous games. Slower machines may experience long loading times at some of the cut screens (due to graphics rendering) and if playing for more than 2 hours, the save feature may stop working :)
This Holmes game is the first in the series to actually let the player in on the action and deduce how Holmes actually comes up with his solutions, instead of the 15 minute closing monologue in other games where he explains the solution to poor oblivious Dr. Watson using clues that you scarcely remember picking up during the game. Gone are the annoying "answer the question, stupid Watson" sequences seen in "Awakened" and "Nemesis" that required combing through loads of barely legible papers and game crashing moments due to Frogwares inability to spell raccoon or Horatio Nelson correctly. The new `deduction' feature consists of a series of index cards that are filled out as you examine each crime scene. Then the player, using the facts, must choose the most likely scenario. Holmes and Watson even act out some of the murders to determine how the killer produced some of the wounds. The programmers of the game must also watch a lot of Mythbusters based on a rather curious and ingenious way they came up with to test knife patterns. Watson is also used more appropriately in this game, actually proving he is a doctor instead of Holmes' run to the bookshop errand boy.
Overall, I thought this was a great addition to the series and it shows that the company is listening to customer feedback. It's a definite must for lovers of the series (look for a young Barnes pre-descent into Lovecraftian madness, Holmes in a brothel, etc.) and for novice players. It's portrayal of the killings, description of the victims and the resulting ethnic paranoia is also historically accurate (all except for one mention of penicillin in 1888 for a syphilis treatment, hmmm 50 more years fellas). Some scenes show 2D gore, nothing like Awakened's 3D corpse parade, and the teen rating is more appropriate than a mature rating. The ending is plausible and is not tainted by conspiracy theory, well worth the price.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely fantastic, May 26, 2009
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper (CD-ROM)
This game is the best so far of all the Sherlock Holmes series. Not only is it much more interactive, in that you are able to make deductions and conclusions yourself, but it is also quite historically accurate! After completing the game, I begana to research the truth behind Jack the Ripper and was shocked at how accurate even the smallest details in the game came to the historical account of what's known of Jack the Ripper's canonical five. Great game - I'm so glad I purchased it!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Both Holmes and Ripper Fans Will be Pleased ... New Fans Will Be Created, May 30, 2009
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper (CD-ROM)
The creators of the previous Sherlock Holmes installmenet, The Awakened, have done nothing short of impressing me with this current title. I enjoyed The Awakened mainly for its Lovecraftian-themed storyline, but also because the puzzles were challenging and there was a great amount of viscera for horror fans like myself. Of course, I'm no genius, so many of the later puzzles in that title became frustrating, and I was forced on numerous occasions to consult an online walkthrough (something I HATE having to do).
Now comes Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper! What an ingenious idea! Already being a fan of the previous game, and harboring a deep interest in the Jack the Ripper murders, I didn't think twice about shelling out the twenty bucks for this title, resigning my ego to the fact that I would probably have to use online walkthroughs to get through it as well.
Well, nearly a week has gone by since I've bought the game, and I just finished it last night. Perhaps a bit of bragging is in order? I didn't need to use a single walkthrough this time around. Now, that's not to say that they aren't challenging puzzles (I'm not a dummy; I play chess frequently and got a B.A. with honors in English), my brain was definitely grinding to get through a few of the later ones. But, the system built into this game -- when a correct combination of clues are automatically hi-lighted in green, for instance -- really helps for those times when we're unsure of our solutions.
Most impressive about the game, once again, is the storyline. These guys have really done their research regarding Jack the Ripper. I was delighted to see actual evidence (testimonies, letters from the Ripper, newspaper reports, photographs of the victims, etc.) from the Ripper casebook appear in the game, and being able to investigate many of the crime scenes with your magnifying glass was a relief, particularly since the last point-and-click Ripper game I played never took you to any of the crime scenes ... ever! The writers here have put together a very plausible and believable case for the identity of the Ripper based on real evidence and real people. At the end of the game, you have to wonder if Holmes, indeed, has gotten it right!
As a Ripper enthusiast, perhaps the greatest selling point on this game for me was the recreation of London's Whitechapel district in the Fall of 1888. There's something darkly romantic about the foggy, gas-lit streets and alleyways that strikes a chord with all Ripper-buffs. But being able to virtually walk them yourself? Euphoric. Unfortunately, in this respect, the game doesn't live up to my expectations. For one, to keep the player on track, your characters usually won't go anywhere they have no pressing business ... so, there's almost no free-exploration of the area. And there's no fog. And there are very little ambient sounds other than people's footsteps while you're wandering the streets going from one building to the next. But, what can I expect for 20 bucks? Hanging out in Mitre Square where Katherine Eddowes was killed was really cool (and kind of eerie), and the moment when Mary Jane Kelly's body is discovered is perfectly done (I looked through the window before opening the door, and couldn't sit still for the chills!) Although, I do wish I had been able to investigate that particular murder like I had the others.
Speaking of investigating crime scenes -- I loved being able to examine the bodies and piece together clues in a strand of logical deductions. That was a great addition to this title. Unfortunately, Holmes and Watson never really inspect the actual bodies of these ladies. They merely "imagine" the corpse and inspect that, and apparently Holmes and Watson imagine in cartoons. I guess the creators were trying to avoid the "M" rating they got for The Awakened? But, even though I wanted more, I was satisfied with what I got -- except for the Mary Kelly murder ... I wanted to be IN THAT ROOM, not at my desk on Baker Street inspecting a clay replica.
Ah well. I hear they are coming out with an XBox 360 version of this game. Perhaps it will be juiced up a bit for that (I want fog and the freedom to go where I want when I want, dad-gummit!) But, for now, this version is definitely worth the money and will satisfy anyone who likes Holmes, the Ripper, or both ... or neither! Because, I am sure after one plays this game, both of these characters will pique the interest of even non-fans.
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