Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments has critics suggesting that it recreates the titular's mysteries faithfully, but still challenges the player's critical thinking skills which would make the great detective proud
![Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments header image](https://img.opencritic.com/game/203/EWAuVDyE.jpg)
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments
![Strong](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/strong-man.png)
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments Review Summary
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments Media
Critic Reviews for Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments dazzles visually, but disappoints with murky conclusions to its cases.
Rough around the edges, and some bad puzzles, but this is an atmospheric detective adventure that actually lets you do some detecting.
Evidently, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments isn't about rights and wrongs so much as it is about interpretation and judgement. Being right all the time is a fitting tribute to Homes' monstrous ego, and it's also an interesting premise for a detective game - a more effective one than it might initially seem. However, the lack of character development and some lacklustre supporting players result in a feeling of detachment from a game that only excels if you are invested in it. That's a shame, because there was potential for Crimes and Punishments to be a truly great detective game, instead of just a mechanically sound one.
In terms of pure gameplay this is perhaps the best serious detective game so far, but the issues with the script and characters remain more than a one pipe problem.
A great example of how player choice can shape a gameplay experience. Most cases offer a variety of conclusions
All-new game mechanics, first-rate graphics, and involved sleuthing make Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments a great adventure game.
Crimes and Punishments is the best Sherlock has been, but it's just short of great
At the end of a case, the player is given a rating, either highlighting their compassion or their steely sense of justice. They're also given a breakdown as to how other players resolved the case and the option to find out if they identified the right suspect. Your enjoyment of Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments will depend on whether you want to be guided on a series of baffling murders or have the great detective be fallible.
![Strong](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/strong-head.png)
![Strong](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/strong-head.png)
![Strong](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/strong-head.png)
![Strong](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/strong-head.png)
![Strong](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/strong-head.png)
![Fair](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/fair-head.png)
![Fair](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/fair-head.png)
![Fair](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/fair-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)
![Mighty](http://img.opencritic.com/mighty-man/mighty-head.png)