Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper is the most recent installment in the popular Sherlock Holms mystery game series for the PC. Developed by Frogwares, the same company that conceived the most current Sherlock Holmes games, this game employs a similar format of a typical adventure game with puzzles, dialog, and compelling mystery.
The setting is in 1888 and a serial killer who is grotesquely murdering prostitutes is horrifying London. These horrific crimes bear no witnesses and the local police are left without any clues to reveal the identity of the murderer. Sherlock Holmes and his associate, Dr. Watson, are concerned with this predicament and assist in solving these horrendous crimes. They start their adventure by visiting the local police station in the area where these murders take place and gather information. Shortly, they are reviewing clues and questioning several potential witnesses. Now, with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson involved in the case, it is only a matter of time before the suspect is arrested.
The games interface is quite simple to utilize and presents players with the typical selections of action. The basic action icons are footsteps for walking, a magnifying glass for examining objects and a speech bubble for conversation. The menu selections comprise of journals for documents and dialogue, a deduction area that is utilized at particular points throughout the game, a map to assist traveling, and the ever-present inventory bag.
A large portion of the game, players will use their time chatting with people, collecting clues, and cracking puzzles. The game play is linear, although the format is planned to guide the player to the next required step. Though, due to the complexity of several of the puzzles, this linear design may lead to problems. There is a possibility of the player to be stuck until a certain puzzle is resolved.
In the previous Sherlock Holmes game the setting was a awkwardly deserted London, with empty locations such as streets and docks. You will not see that now, as Frogware has inhabited London with a variety of colorful people. The wealthy, the poor and the drunken stroll, stagger and walk around in every direction throughout the game. These people definitely increased the sense of being in London in the 19th century and I absolutely enjoyed observing these people walk around, except, when they got in the way of Sherlock’s path. A minor problem was that Sherlock often got stuck behind people walking on the streets.
I enjoy everything British and definitely like the mood of the dusty and dirty London of the 19th century. The artwork is absolutely correct and the characters’ voice acting was performed quite well. Even the spelling in the text dialogues is typical British.
Using an infamous actual cause from the same era with a popular fictional detective and putting them together is an excellent idea. Any historical enthusiast will be quite interested with the criminal Jack the Ripper and mystery aficionados will love to play as the great Sherlock Holmes. Although, this game is not entirely as excellent as The Awakening, since the clues and puzzles are not as appealing or thoughtful, but the location and plot balances it.
I suggest this new Sherlock Holmes adventure to every adventure game fan, and particularly to adventure enthusiasts who also enjoy historical and mystery trivia.

You can download the playable free demo of 591 MB from their official page and decide yourself!