The Testament of Sherlock Holmes
Holmes becomes the prime suspect in a dangerous game for truth.
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, an adventure game in the Sherlock Holmes series, was created by Frogwares and published by Focus Home Interactive. Originally slated for a 2010 launch, it was delayed and finally came out in September 2012. Built mainly for consoles, the title introduced a fresh graphics engine and new gameplay systems. Its plot is an original invention, not drawn from any of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, and takes place in 1898 London, fitting chronologically between Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments and Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter.
In the story, a newspaper accuses Holmes of stealing a valuable necklace. Inspector Baynes says he will look into it, but Holmes is soon called to see the Bishop of Knightsbridge, only to find the bishop tortured and mutilated. Holmes deduces low-class workers were hired and given a poison that drove them mad. He visits convicted poisoner Hans Schielman in prison; a fire breaks out, and Schielman escapes—with Holmes implied to have helped him in exchange for information. The poison turns out to have been spread through tainted opium from a Whitechapel den. Holmes and his dog Toby track the bishop's nephew, Henry, to a smelting plant, where Henry holds Holmes at gunpoint but is accidentally knocked into molten metal by Toby and killed.
Holmes then investigates the necklace theft by breaking into the office of journalist Oliver Farley, who is trying to prove Holmes a fraud. Holmes finds evidence that Judge Sir Coutes Beckett recently visited Farley. Holmes and Watson break into Beckett's house, where Holmes leaves a mysterious package. They discover Beckett has a collection of evidence against Holmes, making Watson suspicious. Watson insists on speaking to Beckett, but as he approaches the house, it explodes, knocking him unconscious. Holmes goes missing and is wanted for the explosion. Watson finds him hiding in a rented Whitechapel room. Holmes says he is leaving the city and leads Watson to a sawmill where three Russian anarchists are staying. One warns that Holmes is dangerous. Inspector Baynes and police arrive; Baynes goes upstairs alone and is thrown from a window.
Now considered a murderer, Holmes fakes his own death and goes into hiding.
Quick Facts
- Title
- The Testament of Sherlock Holmes
- Developer
- FrogwaresPorted to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by Spiders
- Publisher
- Frogwares / Focus Home Interactive / NA · Atlus
- Series
- Sherlock Holmes
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3 · Windows · Xbox 360 · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4
- Released
- Windows, PS3, Xbox 360EU · 20 September 2012 · NA · 25 September 2012 · AU · 27 September 2012Nintendo SwitchWW · 9 March 2023PlayStation 4WW · 29 June 2023
- Genre
- Adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game was developed after the ported Sherlock Holmes Versus Jack the Ripper, with Frogwares responding to console players' demand for adventure games with 3D graphics and higher production values. CEO Waël Amr insisted on not forgetting PC players, though the title was developed specifically for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for the first time, rather than being ported from a PC version. The development took nearly three years. Frogwares upgraded the graphics, first previewed in screenshots released in February 2011 to gaming websites including GameSpot and IGN. The first trailer and gameplay appeared at E3 2011, with a fourth trailer shown at E3 2012. Destructoid and AdventureGamers.com were the first to play the game's demo, later posted on GameSpot's Daily Demo. Amr presented the game at Gameswelt and GotGame.com.
Reader's Guide
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes marks a shift in Frogwares' approach to difficulty, moving away from very hard puzzles that measured success by how long players took to finish. The team admitted this was a 'stupid' approach and emphasized accessibility to prevent players from getting stuck. The game shows Holmes' darker side, using blackmail, forgery, and isolation, relying on survival skills and street-smarts in a cat-and-mouse plot similar to Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction and Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy. Unlike previous entries that used drawings to depict murder victims out of respect for real historical figures, this game features purely fictional characters, allowing more mature and graphic scenes. The game received mostly positive reviews, with GameSpot awarding 8 out of 10 and Game Informer 7.5 out of 10. Adventure Gamers awarded it 'Best of the Rest' in the Honorary Aggie Award category, praising the surprising story, well-crafted characters, stunning visuals, and orchestral soundtrack.
Did You Know?
- The game was delayed from an original 2010 release to September 2012.
- Frogwares developed the title specifically for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for the first time, rather than porting from a PC version.
- The game's plot involves Professor Moriarty plotting to poison the poor of London to destabilize the government.
- Holmes takes Moriarty's daughter and treats her as his own, giving her an education and new life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made The Testament of Sherlock Holmes?
Frogwares developed the title and Focus Home Interactive published it. It was built as a console-first adventure game featuring a brand-new graphics engine and reworked gameplay systems.
What platforms is The Testament of Sherlock Holmes available on?
The game shipped for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It was designed with those consoles as its primary audience rather than PC.
When was The Testament of Sherlock Holmes released?
Despite an originally planned 2010 launch window, the game suffered a delay and finally hit store shelves in September 2012.
What is the setting and premise of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes?
The story is set in London in 1898 and casts Holmes as the prime suspect in a high-stakes hunt for the truth. The plot is an original invention rather than an adaptation of any Arthur Conan Doyle story.
Where does The Testament of Sherlock Holmes fit in the Sherlock Holmes game series?
Chronologically it sits between Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments and Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter. It serves as a bridge entry that introduces the updated engine and systems carried forward into later titles.
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