Unexplained Plot Points *SPOILERS*

[5H_Jackanapes]

First of all, let me say that writing a Holmes pastiche is no easy thing, and trying to work enough puzzles into it to warrant a videogame is harder still, so I have a lot of leniency for what Frogwares does. The series, as a whole, has been up and down in terms of plot credulity (with Jack the Ripper probably coming out on top, and Testament and The Awakened somewhere in the middle). As a close student of classic Holmes, there are a lot of elements in this game that I just couldn't reconcile with what has been established regarding the character(s), but some of the ideas and execution were very effective indeed. This is not a bashing thread, just a critical examination of the storyline.

Overall, I can't help thinking that the story suffered by a lack of clarity on certain points:

1)Numerous characters (the Bishop's nephew, and Russian anarchists, to name the most obvious) react to the appearance of Holmes or the mention of his name with fear. Unless I missed something this is never explained. If I had to theorise, it would be that Moriarty was impersonating Holmes in both name and appearance as part of the plan to sully his reputation. There was clearly a decision to make the two appear similar (compared to Holmes's look in previous games) and there is a mannekin in Moriarty's bedroom that bears the same clothing as Holmes and mirrors the disguises stored in his own bedroom.

2)Even if you were to gloss over the incredible elements regarding his supposed criminal behaviour and faked death, how exactly are we to believe that Holmes cleared himself of suspicion after all this? Anyone involved in the plan to sully his reputation (which he knowingly played into) is dead, including a police officer which Holmes freely admits to having shot (an action I could never see Holmes performing, even in these circumstances, and still a criminal offence in any case). The throw-away line to Lestrade regarding his reappearance after faking his death as proof of his innocence is fair enough while the theat of mass bombings hangs over the situation, but is hardly compelling evidence in the long run.

More points as they occur to me.

[Dumle]

Yeah there was a lot of plot points that didnt get explained properly. I really enjoyed the game and the presentation and execution of the plot but the story in itself was a bit weak. I often felt like they kept on throwing new plot points at you to keep you interested but then instead of going back and explaining those plot points they just kept on throwing new ones at you.

[Raxyz]

There's one more thing, when did Hans got poisoned with his own creation? It made no sense as to why he attacked Moriarty.

About your first point, it's exactly that. It was never clearly stated, but Moriarty acted disguised as Holmes.
As to the second point, he's Holmes. When the bombs were confirmed and disarmed with his help, plus Watson having witnessed Moriarty scheme (and the Prince confirming it), it'd be enough to give him reasonable doubt. Since he's Holmes and Lestrad's friend, I figure they wouldn't put a trial on him. Reputation matters.

[Úlfrún]

I'm guessing Hans was still in the warehouse when it blew and got covered in the poison. Still no clue why Watson was in the sewer though.

[Raxyz]

Originally posted by Paintdog:

I'm guessing Hans was still in the warehouse when it blew and got covered in the poison. Still no clue why Watson was in the sewer though.

It makes sense. The poison could've spread all over and infected everyone who survived the explosion. If I remember correctly, that sewer was the next point of the investigation. Holmes knew there wouldn't be nothing there, but he knew that's where they would take him, so he made it look like his next step do that Watson would follow.

[Oh Rats!]

And it sound to Holmes like Moriarty blew up the judges house, then what was the package Sherlock had with him?

[Raxyz]

Originally posted by Ritual_ZnAkE:

And it sound to Holmes like Moriarty blew up the judges house, then what was the package Sherlock had with him?

It has been quite a while I've played this game, but to me it seems that Holmes knew about Moriarty plan quite early. He wanted to look suspicious so that his "counter-plan"would work. That's my guess at least, it isn't left very clear.

[One death guy]

Originally posted by Raxyz:

Originally posted by Ritual_ZnAkE:

And it sound to Holmes like Moriarty blew up the judges house, then what was the package Sherlock had with him?

It has been quite a while I've played this game, but to me it seems that Holmes knew about Moriarty plan quite early. He wanted to look suspicious so that his "counter-plan"would work. That's my guess at least, it isn't left very clear.

the package is one of the two things that escapes my understanding.

How could he know there was a bomb? If he brought the package with him he mustve knew there would be bomb in the house. Thus how he could be sure they wont get killed and could safely break into house??? No sense at ALL how he could knew all this.

furthermore, what did he find in the judge safe that was so important? Was it evidence against inspector who was working for Moriarty?


other thing, when Holmes breaks into Spooky House he witness Moriarty talking to someone reassuring that person that plan is going well. Was he talking to his daugther? Was she the evil mastermind? (LOL) If there was no higher power over Moriarty why was it suggested in such strong way. MAKES NO SENSE.

[Your Mother]

the whole Judge House event makes no sense,

if Sherlock knew there was going to be a bomb there how did he knew they were safe to break in? And how did he even knew there would be bomb? There is nothing up to that point that suggest it, not even a single tiny hint.

And even if he didnt knew before coming to the house about the bomb and learned it at the house, he let Judge and that poor girl get blown, he didnt warn them, he just watched them which is like being part of the murder


Watson going to sewers? There is not a single hint or mention of sth in the sewers before.

Russian brothers hiding from Moriarty cause he wants to kill them. They get mutilated by him.

and then later they are happily at Moriarty secret hideout...

Some superior boss that is above Moriarty? Unless he simply wasnt revealed and escapes the scene (of which is no menition) then it is also a idiotic plot point. Was that the little girl?

then wtf was he going around stating report on the situation as if he was reporting to some higher up boss or sth, he was reporting to his little child that bombs will set off as planned?????


this game is full of lazy poor writing and plotholes huge as the moon. A complete letdown. I really

[Thomas Baxter]

Originally posted by ÚlfrúnFreyja:

I'm guessing Hans was still in the warehouse when it blew and got covered in the poison. Still no clue why Watson was in the sewer though.

Yeh why was Watson in the sewer? there was so many wtfs that bothered me slightly during the game but now bother me a lot lol

[Thomas Baxter]

Originally posted by Your Mother:

the whole Judge House event makes no sense,

if Sherlock knew there was going to be a bomb there how did he knew they were safe to break in? And how did he even knew there would be bomb? There is nothing up to that point that suggest it, not even a single tiny hint.

And even if he didnt knew before coming to the house about the bomb and learned it at the house, he let Judge and that poor girl get blown, he didnt warn them, he just watched them which is like being part of the murder


Watson going to sewers? There is not a single hint or mention of sth in the sewers before.

Russian brothers hiding from Moriarty cause he wants to kill them. They get mutilated by him.

and then later they are happily at Moriarty secret hideout...

Some superior boss that is above Moriarty? Unless he simply wasnt revealed and escapes the scene (of which is no menition) then it is also a idiotic plot point. Was that the little girl?

then wtf was he going around stating report on the situation as if he was reporting to some higher up boss or sth, he was reporting to his little child that bombs will set off as planned?????


this game is full of lazy poor writing and plotholes huge as the moon. A complete letdown. I really

Damn yeh all this. I mean the russians were clearly a metaphor for see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil which kind of made the point about turning a blind eye but yeah, they were clearly afraid of sherlock holmes and it wasn't explained why. The higher boss with moriarty really really bothered me cuz his daughter wasn't even "evil" nor did she seem to care about whatever her dad was up to....