The Lost Cases of 221B Baker St
Game Review

The famous fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle returns in The Lost Cases of 221B Baker St with the ever-faithful Dr. Watson as they investigate previously unknown cases including a murder at the mystical Stonehenge archaeological formation, a mysterious disappearance related to time travel, and the possible return of the infamous Jack the Ripper murderer.

This dynamic duo do not solve the cases on their own though. They team up with other familiar characters such as older brother Mycroft, Inspector Lestrade and other contemporary investigators and personalities. They also come across a whole range of people (both victims and suspects) in their investigations, such as archaeologists, smugglers, murderers, damsels in distress and even the famed author H. G. Wells!

There are 16 thrilling cases to be explored in The Lost Cases of 221B Baker St, and each case features bizarre circumstances and exotic scenarios that only the great Sherlock Holmes could solve. The only thing bad about having so many cases is that the game is not able to devote enough time to getting the player fully involved and engrossed in each case, leaving the cases feeling like short excursions rather than the deep mysteries they deserve to be.

Each case starts out with Holmes and Watson (usually at home) being approached by either a distraught victim of foul play, a concerned friend/relative, or a member of Scotland Yard with a case that is too difficult for the police to solve. These interactions (as well as all conversations in the game) happen in cutscenes with good voice-acting. Once Holmes gets enough background information about the case, the pair are off to investigate the various locations involved, as well as interview witnesses and potential suspects.

The gameplay in 221B Baker St is a typical hidden object and mini-puzzle format, but with unique additions that make it more immersive and enjoyable. When you click on hidden objects that you're supposed to find, you get some backstory on those objects. For example, finding a handkerchief at a dig site might cause Sherlock to deduce that the Baron Escobar - the lover of the murder victim's widow - was visiting the victim just before he died. These story bits really add character to these hidden object games that usually turn out to have lots of mindless clicking.

The puzzles in this game are also finely crafted. They usually occur while you are searching for clues. For example, finding a torn-up piece of paper will launch a puzzle that requires you to put the pieces back together and decipher the riddle on it. Other puzzles are triggered by approaching obstacles such as locks and doors. The puzzles themselves are also more intricate and have that distinct Victorian English feel to them.

When Sherlock has collected enough evidence in each case, he then goes back to Baker St. to contemplate the information and arrive at his surprising yet correct conclusions. This is done in the game by correctly categorizing the list of suspects according to distinguishing features. You then have to associate the suspects with the correct evidence. For example, the Baron Escobar with his handkerchief from our earlier example. You can then rule out incorrect suspects until you arrive at the real culprit. Once the case is completed, a black-and-white cutscene will start in which Sherlock explains (with his crazy logic) how the crime was committed and how he deduced who was responsible.

The Lost Cases of 221B Baker St is a nice adventure in Arthur Conan Doyle's world of mysterious Victorian England. The gameplay and art are both very immersive and detailed, and the story is strong enough to keep you interested and hooked on the game. And with 16 cases in this one game, what's not to like?

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