a long time ago, LucasGames was known in the gaming community as one of the best software houses around, and that title certainly was well deserved since almost all their games were no less than superb, in particular the point and click ones. A lot of us will never forget the supreme delight brought by playing games like Day of the tentacle, Monkey Island 1,2,3, Maniac Mansion (let's not forget Zak Mc Kracken!), Indiana Jones and the fate of Atlantis and more. It was awesome to be a gamer those days.
But as it usually happens in the gaming industry, when everyone's attention is focused at one direction, missing true gems is definitely a sure thing. And I'm going to introduce you one of those forgotten gems, a game that really has nothing to envy to the best LucasGames adventures. I'm talking about The lost files of Sherlock Holmes: The case of the serrated scalpel.
developed my Mythos Games, published by EA, this game deserves a comfortable seat among the gods of the genre. I will try to talk about its greatness without trying to sound too enthusiastic, but I'm no reviewer so forgive me if I'll sound way too overheated.
First thing: ask yourself, what do you love about games like DOTT, IJATFOA or MI? The story, obviously, comes first. Gripping plot, lots of twists, occasional humor (more prominent in other games, this is a mystery after all) but we all agree about one thing: the story must be good, and dialogues must be even better. In SH you have both
The story: a young stage actress is found dead just outside the thater. The responde is clear: homicide. Inspector Lestrade and Scoptland Yard are on the case, and surely they don't see how the best detective in the world, Sherlock Holmes and his trusted friend, Dr John Watson, could be interested in what seems to be just an "ordinary" homicide. Holmes steps on the CS, and after a couple of minutes, he notices case's much more interesting that what it looks. Which is true, since you will have to investigate through the whole city of London to search hints, interrogate suspects and witnesses and run for your very life to break the case and arrest the vicious killer. A heavy number of plot twists await you, and you will have to use your brain to see who's behind this terrible plan. As Holmes used to say a number of times, the game is afoot
Dialogues are incredibly well written, and they do really make you feel like you're into a Conan Doyle's story. You ARE in Victorian London, you ARE Sherlock Holmes, you're completely sucked in in a matter of seconds
Second: the music has always been a very important part in a PNC game, and this makes no exception. An intense, melancholic, atmospheric soundtrack sets the right mood, and the suspension of disbelief is guaranteed.
Third: classic interface? Check. You've got the usual serie of commands here, just like in other games. Which is still good and very intuitive.
Fourth: graphically, game looks great (for the genre, and for the time). Animations are top notch and everything looks very detailed. Did I mention EVERYTHINBG is clickable in the game? Yes, even if a chair doesn't carry hints or a music box doesn't have a double bottom, you'll read a very detailed and well written description of it. Another big point in an already finely crafted game. Oh, you can skip descriptions with a single click, so don't worry.
Fifth, and probably my last point: is this game lenghty? You bet it. The excellent story follows the typical pattern: a small thing leads to a bigger thing, a bigger thing leads to a more complicated one and at the end of the game, you'll have spent at least 25 hours, visited a variety of places (a zoo, a college, 221B Baker Street, a morgue, a theater, an apartment, a mansion, a park and more) and met at least 30 characters. And better yet, you'll feel satisfied because game's NOT EASY AT ALL.
In short: if you happen to be a fan of the old PNC games, if you want to sink your body and soul inside one of the best, original, unofficial Sherlock Holmes stories, if you want a incredibly well written, immensely detailed and captivating game, get The case of the serrated scalpel. It really is a forgotten gem and like I said, it certainly deserves its mention among the other well-known titles.
