Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Can you solve the unknowable?

- 

Remakes come easily to the great detective, who’s been interpreted across media in a myriad different ways. This reimagining of Frogwares’ cosmic-horror-tinged mystery recasts the tale, previously one late in Holmes and Watson’s partnership, as their first proper adventure, and it’s a thrilling one at that, if not a perfect mystery-’em-up.

The Awakened is, at times, scattershot, but more often than not its ability to deftly shift modes of play is a strength. Holmes’ case pits the logical ponderer against a cult whose practices make little sense, and while he and Watson solve more than a few murders, their globetrotting journey also sees them avoiding alligators in a New Orleans bayou, infiltrating a corrupt mental institution, wrangling ancient lighthouse machinery in the midst of a storm, and more. Tense set-pieces make this feel like a lower-budget Uncharted romp, without needing combat – a feat in its own right.

MY DEAR WATSON