Wow, this looks bad

[Mr. Lambert]

I'm a big fan of the Frogwares SH games, played all of them multiple times, but, man, does this look like a serious misstep. I hope they have time to go back to the drawing board on this one.

[RebooTed]

Originally posted by farinelli1800:

I sincerely hope that they won't use the graphics engine from The Sinking City again, because they don't have them under control. Then we can already look forward to an ugly game with countless graphic bugs.

You mean Unreal Engine 4? For one, the lip-sync was way better than their previous Sherlock Holmes games.

[archimeter]

The engine looks OK to me, but the styling is weird. I dont understand why they insist on dressing victorian era characters in such a modern style.

[RebooTed]

Originally posted by archimeter:

The engine looks OK to me, but the styling is weird. I dont understand why they insist on dressing victorian era characters in such a modern style.

Probably taking heavy inspiration from the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies.

[Warelieus]

It's Dante from DMC. xD

[Legato Bluesummers]

Originally posted by RebooTed:

Originally posted by archimeter:

The engine looks OK to me, but the styling is weird. I dont understand why they insist on dressing victorian era characters in such a modern style.

Probably taking heavy inspiration from the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies.

I feel like they used Downey Jr as a reference for hte Devil's Daughter for some bizarre reason. I preferred his Anglo Saxon look more but it doesn't really bother me that much, losing the voice actor was the worst part.

[EbonHawk]

Originally posted by Legato Bluesummers:

Originally posted by RebooTed:

Probably taking heavy inspiration from the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies.

I feel like they used Downey Jr as a reference for hte Devil's Daughter for some bizarre reason. I preferred his Anglo Saxon look more but it doesn't really bother me that much, losing the voice actor was the worst part.

Very true. Once you establish a "brand" like that, it's jarring, to say the least, when they change something that major.

I will keep this on my Steam Wishlist, but I'm not holding my breath, nor am I ever prepurchasing another SH title. The last 3 were not that good, honestly, but without competition, it's all we've really got.

[Legato Bluesummers]

yeah absolutely do not preorder this game. there's no telling if they will just cut and run to ep*c or whoever will bribe them to keep it off steam. I wouldn't ever trust anyone who does that again.

[Revachol Dishwashers Union]

I just wish they'd stop trying to make Watson hot because it really doesn't work and is antithetical to their dynamic as a character duo. C&P was a beautiful blend of realistic scenery and authentic clothing, so this...I don't have high hopes for.

[EbonHawk]

Originally posted by Withnail:

I just wish they'd stop trying to make Watson hot because it really doesn't work and is antithetical to their dynamic as a character duo. C&P was a beautiful blend of realistic scenery and authentic clothing, so this...I don't have high hopes for.

Better than Lucy Liu! ;-)

From their website:

Originally posted by Frogwares Devs:

KEY PILLARS

The Man Before. As a cavalier young Sherlock on the precipice of adulthood, you’ll earn your reputation in a way no game or story has explored before. We’ve never seen the youthful arrogance and naiveté of the man before the legend—now you’re living it.

Global Investigation. You never know where your next clue will come from. Explore and exploit the entire city in your pursuit of truth, using clues, rumors, disguises, labels, and pinned evidence to build a solid case within your mind palace.

And Stay Down. Spot enemy vulnerabilities with your brilliant observation skills, or exploit the environment to take someone down while keeping your own hands clean. Weapons might help you in a pinch, but there’s something to be said for style—and you have it in spades.

A Different Jon. Before John Watson, there was a different Jon – your best and only friend. But who is he, really?

A Darkening Tide. A vibrant open-world island in the Mediterranean promises anything but paradise. Political corruption and crime run rampant while the islanders cling to tradition and eschew outsiders, making your job even more difficult.

Truth and Lies. There are two sides to every story, and the proud islanders have their own ideas about truth and justice. It’s up to you to decide whether uncovering the truth will do more harm than good. And how that will shape the man you’ll become.

That first one really scares me. I don't want to explore "before the legend".. but guess we'll see. Not too crazy about a "A Different Jon. Before John Watson.." that's also a bit unnerving.

I do like a lot of the other points though. Especially the open world aspects. Vibrant open-world in the Mediterranean. Only time will tell. Going to really make sure I want to get it before I spend money on it though.

Like I said, I'm not preordering anything SH related ever again.

[Revachol Dishwashers Union]

Originally posted by EbonHawk:

Originally posted by Withnail:

I just wish they'd stop trying to make Watson hot because it really doesn't work and is antithetical to their dynamic as a character duo. C&P was a beautiful blend of realistic scenery and authentic clothing, so this...I don't have high hopes for.

Better than Lucy Liu! ;-)

From their website:

Originally posted by Frogwares Devs:

KEY PILLARS

The Man Before. As a cavalier young Sherlock on the precipice of adulthood, you’ll earn your reputation in a way no game or story has explored before. We’ve never seen the youthful arrogance and naiveté of the man before the legend—now you’re living it.

Global Investigation. You never know where your next clue will come from. Explore and exploit the entire city in your pursuit of truth, using clues, rumors, disguises, labels, and pinned evidence to build a solid case within your mind palace.

And Stay Down. Spot enemy vulnerabilities with your brilliant observation skills, or exploit the environment to take someone down while keeping your own hands clean. Weapons might help you in a pinch, but there’s something to be said for style—and you have it in spades.

A Different Jon. Before John Watson, there was a different Jon – your best and only friend. But who is he, really?

A Darkening Tide. A vibrant open-world island in the Mediterranean promises anything but paradise. Political corruption and crime run rampant while the islanders cling to tradition and eschew outsiders, making your job even more difficult.

Truth and Lies. There are two sides to every story, and the proud islanders have their own ideas about truth and justice. It’s up to you to decide whether uncovering the truth will do more harm than good. And how that will shape the man you’ll become.

That first one really scares me. I don't want to explore "before the legend".. but guess we'll see. Not too crazy about a "A Different Jon. Before John Watson.." that's also a bit unnerving.

I do like a lot of the other points though. Especially the open world aspects. Vibrant open-world in the Mediterranean. Only time will tell. Going to really make sure I want to get it before I spend money on it though.

Like I said, I'm not preordering anything SH related ever again.

It's true that the Mediterranean could be really interesting. Especially if the art design is as strong as the last two games. I guess I'll be cautiously optimistic and see how the reviews are.

In my dreams there is an open world Holmes game, set in the North of England...alas, maybe one day. Or just any game set there to be honest. I also think Paris would work really well for Holmes. Oh well.

[Gerfreckle]

I have a bad feeling that this is going to be closer to Devil's Daughter than anything else. I really disliked that game for many reasons, and it seems this one will be repeating some of those bad decisions. I fully expect we'll get another brash, wise-cracking and over-emotional Holmes depiction as seen in DD. The characters are again probably going to look and feel way too 21st century, as well. Also, this description suggests there's going to be more focus on action, which..... just, no. Please. It never works.

At this point it seems pretty clear that Crimes and Punishment will remain the last great SH game. Guess I'll just have to get around to replaying that one again (as I do every year).

[Revachol Dishwashers Union]

Originally posted by Gerfreckle:

I have a bad feeling that this is going to be closer to Devil's Daughter than anything else. I really disliked that game for many reasons, and it seems this one will be repeating some of those bad decisions. I fully expect we'll get another brash, wise-cracking and over-emotional Holmes depiction as seen in DD. The characters are again probably going to look and feel way too 21st century, as well. Also, this description suggests there's going to be more focus on action, which..... just, no. Please. It never works.

At this point it seems pretty clear that Crimes and Punishment will remain the last great SH game. Guess I'll just have to get around to replaying that one again (as I do every year).

Sadly I think you're right. Having just replayed DD though, it wasn't nearly as bad as I recalled, even if I disagree with the new characterisation of Holmes and the fact they tried to make Watson...hot. Visually, it still looked really beautiful with a lot of quintessentially cosy British locations such as the boules club. It also had some good set-pieces like the bar fight. I guess as long as the art direction is still as good, I'll probably begrudgingly accept it.

My ideal for Sherlock Holmes is the 80s-90s Jeremy Brett interpretation for Granada TV.

[Edgewalker]

Originally posted by Withnail:

Originally posted by Gerfreckle:

I have a bad feeling that this is going to be closer to Devil's Daughter than anything else. I really disliked that game for many reasons, and it seems this one will be repeating some of those bad decisions. I fully expect we'll get another brash, wise-cracking and over-emotional Holmes depiction as seen in DD. The characters are again probably going to look and feel way too 21st century, as well. Also, this description suggests there's going to be more focus on action, which..... just, no. Please. It never works.

At this point it seems pretty clear that Crimes and Punishment will remain the last great SH game. Guess I'll just have to get around to replaying that one again (as I do every year).

Sadly I think you're right. Having just replayed DD though, it wasn't nearly as bad as I recalled, even if I disagree with the new characterisation of Holmes and the fact they tried to make Watson...hot. Visually, it still looked really beautiful with a lot of quintessentially cosy British locations such as the boules club. It also had some good set-pieces like the bar fight. I guess as long as the art direction is still as good, I'll probably begrudgingly accept it.

By the way, can you explain the ending for me? Was it a dream? Or was it real? What was the ship for? And why was it burning? When I finished the game I was like "wtf just happened"

Still better than Sinking City ^^

[Loco]

Absolutly hate how they style Holmes and Watson like 2020 kids. Totally ruins immersion.

[Thorba]

Lets hope that you can at least customize the hair and clothes like in the previous games.
I still have a bad feeling with this jon guy, its sadly not watson because the h is missing and not sure if i want another sidekick for sherlock.