When it comes to characters in fiction, some come and go while others withstand the test of time. With comic books, Superman and Batman have proven to be able to last nearly a century in the public eye. For video games, Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog continue to remain relevant, especially when it comes to the former.
When it comes to literature, none can really top the great detective Sherlock Holmes. The character is legendary and has appeared in numerous films and video games. The latter, in particular, have their own universe that fans might not be all that familiar with.
Frogwares has specialized in adapting Sherlock Holmes into video game form, crafting eight titles in the process. Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is also set to drop in 2021. Which release out of Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes games has the highest rating on Metacritic?
8 Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy For PC – 61%
Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery Of The Mummy originally came out on PC around 2002. Players control the titular Sherlock Holmes as he investigates the abandoned mansion of Lord Montcalfe. Things slowly unravel from there.
As the first entry by Frogwares, the game was a hit and sold decently well for the company. Presented through a first-person perspective, the player is able to interact with the world around them by using their mouse.
7 Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring For PC – 68%
Released by Frogwares in 2004, Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring takes place before the events of Mystery of the Mummy. Unlike the latter title which had a first-person perspective, Silver Earring relies on a third-person perspective.
However, it is still a point-and-click adventure that heavily emphasizes the mystery aspects that the Sherlock Holmes franchise is known for. The Silver Earring was a step up from its predecessor, Mystery of the Mummy, and showed this series had room to grow.
6 Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter For PS4 – 71%
The most recent game to come out of this franchise, Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter was released in 2016. Once again stepping into the shoes of the masterful detective, players control Sherlock Holmes as they go around stringing together clues and solving mysteries across five distinct cases.
Due to the nature of the game, players are able to deduce like Sherlock Holmes and determine who is the true culprit based on the clues collected.
5 Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis For PC – 71%
Also known as Sherlock Holmes Versus Arsene Lupin, Nemesis is exactly what fans of both book franchises should expect. Lupin challenges Sherlock Holmes and threatens to steal the five treasures of England in order to teach the detective a lesson.
Following through with a first-person gameplay perspective, the player takes control of the detective along with Dr. Watson as they solve mysteries revolving around the master thief.
4 Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened For PC – 72%
Focusing on mysteries that are related to the Cthulu mythos, 2007's Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is the first game in the franchise to have a focus on supernatural elements.
The Awakened was also the first game to have the gameplay take place in a complete 3D landscape with a first-person perspective. Not only that, but the game also refines elements of the previous entries to create a more complete experience. Nonetheless, the game was well-received thanks to the engaging story and new elements.
3 Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper For PC – 73%
Similar to Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis, the 2009 entry pits the detective against another known figure, this time the most notorious serial killer in England's history. Filled with twists that keep the player in suspense, the detective attempts to learn more mysteries in order to stop Jack the Ripper from committing any more murders.
Although the game was received well overall by critics, the general consensus was that the way Holmes and, by extension, players gathered clues was not that well implemented.
2 The Testament of Sherlock Holmes For PC – 73%
Released in 2012, The Testament Of Sherlock Holmes is an original story where the protagonist has to prove his innocence following a case where he is the main suspect. Similar to other games in the franchise, players get to control Sherlock Holmes as he examines clues in order to solve mysteries.
One of the more interesting elements about The Testament Of Sherlock Holmes is that the game features a brand new graphical engine, giving it a far superior aesthetic compared to its predecessors. Not only that but the game also upgrades plenty of elements and mechanics from previous entries.
1 Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishment For PC – 77%
Released in 2014, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishment takes place around 1894. Split up into six cases, players control Sherlock Holmes in a similar way to the other games in Frogwares' franchise; however, this sequel is a vast improvement over earlier entries.
Not only that, but this is the first game in the series to utilize Unreal Engine 3. Critics praised Crimes & Punishment for its portrayal of the characters as well as its strong writing. Along with performing well with critics, Crimes & Punishment was also a commercial success.