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Introduction Aside from being a world-famous (albeit fictional) detective, Sherlock Holmes was also the star of a 1984 computer game released by Melbourne House. Released on Spectrum 48K and Commodore 64 formats, authoring of the game was spearheaded by Philip Mitchell and was similar in style to The Hobbit, the Tolkien-inspired fantasy which both he and Melbourne House had enjoyed great success with in 1982. The story on which the game functions was written specially, and is dealt with below. The adventure was mostly text-based although graphics illustrated a few locations. Sherlock was a very large adventure and was prone to a number of bugs and problems, caused not only by the limitations of the machines it was created to run on, but also because of the rush with which it was released. The game is very complicated difficult to finish without support. Despite being largely text-based I found it to be hugely evocative in atmosphere and tone and thus, extremely compelling to play. To date there is no website or page dealing exclusively with Sherlock and so in creating this page I am aiming to redress the balance. Since everyone's recollections of a game are different, I would like to hear from other anyone who played and enjoyed Sherlock. Tell me what you remember; and if you've any questions or problems with the gameplay itself, get in touch as I might be able to help! Finally - if like me, you were kept occupied by Sherlock for many an hour in younger years, I hope you enjoy my contribution.. Synopsis Holmes first hears of the case on which this game is based from his assistant Watson, who excitedly picks up on the story in his morning newspaper, The Daily Chronicle. In the Hertfordshire town of Leatherhead, a bizarre double murder is causing something of a headache for the local police. Two lifelong friends and near neighbours, a Mrs Brown and a Mrs Jones, have been found dead in mysterious and highly suspicious circumstances. The newspaper reports that Scotland Yard's own Inspector Lestrade is to travel to Leatherhead that very morning to commence an investigation... That revelation is your cue - as Holmes - to get quickly across London and out to Leatherhead to form your own investigation. The specially authored and rather compelling story reveals, just like a conventional thriller, far more intrigue and plot than you might imagine... Locations Sherlock is primarily a text adventure although it does include graphical representation of some locations.        
The graphics may be crude, given the constrains of both the Spectrum platform and the file size of the game, but they contribute greatly to the overall atmosphere. Game Manual A transcription of the accompanying manual is available here. Beware that the file includes a solution which is incomplete and thus will not work! Character List Sherlock Holmes The world's greatest detective whose reputation rides on your prowess as player. Get things wrong and the case will go unsolved, or he'll end up dead... Watson Holmes' faithful assistant whose enthused reading aloud from the Daily Chronicle is the catalyst for the story. Follows Holmes faithfully, but clears off for good if left to his own devices at the start of the game. The Cabbie Brimming with cockney character, the cabbie is the key in getting you across London in his hansom cab. There are really two cabbies, so players have to take great care in communicating when both are present, lest the wrong one take your directions. Major Percival Ffoulkes Retired from the armed forces, the Major is an old friend of murder victim Mrs Jones. Ffoulkes, like a number of others, is a time-specific character insofar as he has a particular purpose in the game, and undertakes particular courses of action according to game time. The Cook Servant in the Brown household, Leatherhead. Provides useful information for the investigation. The Gardener Husband of cook detailed above. Also provides useful information. Like Ffoulkes, the gardener undertakes a cyclic action within the game (seemingly for no reason) and can be found pottering about in the gardens, even in the early hours. The Maid Junior servant in the Brown household. Prone to outbursts of hysterical allegations over affiliated members of said household. Daphne Strachan Daughter of Mrs Brown, distraught at the news of her mother's demise. Fiancee of Londoner Basil Phipps. Local Village Policemen Somewhat characterless individuals, save for when one is knocked unconscious, these officers of the law guard the murder scenes in Leatherhead. Chief Constable Straker Police head-honcho of many years' service at Leatherhead. Shows Lestrade (and Holmes and Watson if present) around the murder scenes. Inspector Lestrade Supremo inspector, despatched by Scotland Yard to clear up nasty business in Leatherhead. Old acquaintance of Holmes. Basil Phipps Fiance of Daphne Strachan. Lives in London and also has a rented house in Leatherhead. Mrs Brown (dec) Mother of Daphne, Mrs Sarah Brown appears solely as a corpse in the game. Mr Brown (dec) Husband of the late Mrs Brown, this character is already dead when the game commences but has a part to play nonetheless. Mrs Jones (dec) Second Leatherhead murder victim. Tricia Fender Mr Brown's one-time secretary, who now lives in Portman Street, London. Daphne Strachan recalls how it was often said she and Mrs Jones looked alike... German Agent Self-explanatory character. Object List Old Mans' Disguise Essential wear for entering the London residence of Basil Phipps. Must be a very convincing disguise, because even Watson fails to recognise you once donned. China Mans' Disguise Useful attire for entering a certain opium den and deliberately tricking one of the older characters in the game. Thick Hedge Every game has a red herring and this is Sherlock's. It does bugger all. Oil Lamp Use the oil lamp in order to navigate exterior locations successfully at night. Forget to take it with you and your movement is greatly inhibited. Daily Chronicle Local rag in which is revealed the horror of the Leatherhead double murder. Otherwise useless. Money Essential if you are to reimburse cabbies for their efforts. Reimbursement is, however, not essential - providing you're thick-skinned. Safe There are two safes in the game. One in Basil's Leatherhead residence, one in Tricia Fender's Portman Street house. Why? Folder An empty folder which turns up in one of the safes. Letters A collection of letters which turn up in one of the safes. Notes Of Various Types Communication in the game relies on notes and there are various examples. A crumpled one, a torn one, a singed one and so forth. Bloodstained Clothes A hidden item which helps to establish part of the plot. Bookcase Part of the furnishing in the Jones' house at Leatherhead. Gun You might expect there to be a gun in a game which involves a double murder - but where is it? Bank Book To be found somewhere in the Brown house. Desk Furniture to be found in the study of the Brown house, on the first floor. Solution There are various solutions on the web, most of which appear to be derived from one master document. Unfortunately the master document has a section of the solution from the final stage of the game missing. Thus, I have not included it here but will, in due course, add my own solution for the Spectrum version. Forum A public arena for comments, questions and suggestions is available on this site. To leave a message, please complete the following boxes and press the button once. The page will then refresh. Messages posted are moderated and thus, they may not appear immediately. Links Crash, the excellent publication which appeared through the golden era of the Sinclair Spectrum, carried a review of Sherlock in its ninth edition. You can see a reproduction of the review, which rated the game 8 out of 10, on Matthew Wilson's excellent site here. World of Spectrum is a superb collection of material and resources for all things Spectrum. And The Spectrum Adventurer is a similarly good resource for adventure-lovers, with tips, profiles and solutions aplenty.
Original Material © Greg Taylor Game © Melbourne House / Beam Software 1984-2001 All Rights Reserved |