Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Sherlock Holmes game announced, uses Unreal Engine 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/new-sherlock-holmes-game-announced-uses-unreal-engine-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/new-sherlock-holmes-game-announced-uses-unreal-engine-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/new-sherlock-holmes-game-announced-uses-unreal-engine-3/#comments New Sherlock Holmes game announced, uses Unreal Engine 3Focus Home Interactive recently announced a new game in the Sherlock Holmes series called Crimes & Punishments. In development by Frogwares, the adventure game will feature eight cases in which players will guide Holmes through "important moral choices instead of simply enforcing justice by the book."

Frogwares ditched its previous Sherlock Holmes engine in favor of Unreal Engine 3 for this game, and opted for a more modern-looking Holmes, seen above. Crimes & Punishments will launch on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 sometime in 2013. Yes, even the release date is a mystery.

Gallery: Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments (Announcement)

JoystiqNew Sherlock Holmes game announced, uses Unreal Engine 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureannouncementcrimes-and-punishmentsdetectivefocus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3sherlock-holmessherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishmentsxboxSat, 02 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Testament of Sherlock Holmes review: Trust your instincts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-review/#comments The Testament of Sherlock Holmes reviewThe Sherlock Holmes franchise has seen a modern reclamation of pop culture fame, in the blockbuster movies starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law; the British television series gaining Dr. Who levels of popularity overseas, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman; and the latest re-imagining by CBS, with a female Watson played by Lucy Liu, and Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes.

Any Sherlock Holmes rendering now has, we can assume, at least one point of reference for any audience member - and if asked to equate one person with the series, most would likely say, "That guy who plays Iron Man" before "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." Frogwares' The Testament of Sherlock Holmes now has to live up to this robust world of preconceptions, tell an old story in a unique way, and throw in engaging gameplay, beautiful graphics, smooth dialogue and spot-on voice acting.

If that sounds like too much to ask for, it is.

Gallery: The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (8/23/12)

Continue reading The Testament of Sherlock Holmes review: Trust your instincts

JoystiqThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes review: Trust your instincts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>focus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-testament-of-sherlock-holmesxboxMon, 01 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Testament of Sherlock Holmes gets price cut and box art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-gets-price-cut-and-box-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-gets-price-cut-and-box-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-gets-price-cut-and-box-art/#comments To add to the recent September 25 release date announcement for The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, Atlus noted a price reduction for the upcoming detective game. The game will now hit retail shelves for $39.99 in order to "better compete amid a crowded holiday slate," according to Atlus' news release.

Atlus also sent along box art for the game, which you will find after the break.

Continue reading The Testament of Sherlock Holmes gets price cut and box art

JoystiqThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes gets price cut and box art originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atlusfocus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-testament-of-sherlock-holmesxboxSat, 01 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Testament of Sherlock Holmes uncovers a Sept. 25 release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-uncovers-a-sept-25-release-dat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-uncovers-a-sept-25-release-dat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-uncovers-a-sept-25-release-dat/#comments The Testament of Sherlock Holmes uncovers a Sept 25 release date, new screens"But that's amazing Holmes, how on Earth did you know?" The look on Watson's face was a blend of astonishment and admiration; a look he wore with frequency after meeting Sherlock.

"Elementary, my dear Watson." Sherlock opened his violin case and tucked the instrument under his chin as he spoke. "A press release from Frogwares and Focus Home Interactive arrived via courier - The Testament of Sherlock Holmes' September 25 release date was contained within."

"And these new screenshots," said Watson, "they were delivered this morning?"

"Last night." Holmes began to play a haunting, precise melody.

"So, you didn't so much solve the 'Case of the Unknown Launch...'" Watson said, "insomuch as you waited around for it to be solved for you."

Holmes played louder.

Gallery: The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (8/23/12)

Continue reading The Testament of Sherlock Holmes uncovers a Sept. 25 release date

JoystiqThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes uncovers a Sept. 25 release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>focus-home-interactiveFrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3release-datethe-testament-of-sherlock-holmesxboxFri, 24 Aug 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamesplanet Lab: Kickstarter's 'crowd-creating' competitor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/gamesplanet-lab-kickstarters-crowd-creating-competitor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/gamesplanet-lab-kickstarters-crowd-creating-competitor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/gamesplanet-lab-kickstarters-crowd-creating-competitor/#comments Gamesplanet Lab Kickstarter's 'crowdcreating' competitorAs Kickstarter has taken off like - well, a popular Kickstarter project - over the past year, especially in the gaming sector, backers have noticed a few inconsistencies with the platform. For one, projects aren't vetted for plausibility or quality outside of a standard registration form; your grandmother could accidentally promise the world 500 pounds of brownies if she raises $5, and there's nothing holding her to following through or using that money for brownie-related purposes.

For another, Kickstarter is US only. Creative ventures outside of the US can't begin a crowd-funded project, though anyone with a major credit card can donate to a project and watch its success with yearning in his heart. Also, Kickstarter caters to a wide range of products and ideas, making its reach broad but its expertise in handling any one industry dim.

Gamesplanet Lab is a new crowd-funding platform that handles only gaming projects, has a strict vetting and follow-through contract, and is based in Europe but is able to host projects from around the world. Yes, that does sound like everything you ever wanted in Kickstarter. The only thing Gamesplanet Lab needs now is proof that it can work - it needs a breakout crowd-funding success.

Continue reading Gamesplanet Lab: Kickstarter's 'crowd-creating' competitor

JoystiqGamesplanet Lab: Kickstarter's 'crowd-creating' competitor originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3am-studioscrowd-creatingcrowd-fundingcrowdfundingCrowdSourceday-oneEUeuropefrogwaresgamesplanetgamesplanet-labkickstarterMagrunnerpcpendulo-studiosthe-devils-dictionaryululeThu, 19 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Testament of Sherlock Holmes launch month confirmed, suspiciously]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-launch-month-confirmed-suspici/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-launch-month-confirmed-suspici/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-launch-month-confirmed-suspici/#comments ImageThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes is officially dropping in September for console and PC, Focus Home Interactive has announced. We can't be sure, but such a brazen release window announcement seems a little odd to us. Obviously a publisher wants its consumers to know when its game launches, but to just come out and say it like that... we think Focus Home is hiding something. Something sinister. Something only a genius detective could figure out.

Too bad we don't know any genius detectives, by name, ficticious or otherwise. Oh, well. We'll take our chances on Sherlock Holmes in September, seeing as the game is taking its own chances by launching in the midst of holiday-season AAAA madness.

Gallery: The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (5/3/12)

JoystiqThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes launch month confirmed, suspiciously originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>focus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-testament-of-sherlock-holmesxboxSun, 06 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Test your detective skills with The Testament of Sherlock Holmes screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/test-your-detective-skills-with-the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/test-your-detective-skills-with-the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/09/test-your-detective-skills-with-the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes/#comments One of these statements isn't true:
  • The Testament of Sherlock Holmes features a new graphic engine
  • Holmes dies in the game
  • Watson questions Holmes' sanity, adding an extra layer of chummy drama
  • The Testament of Sherlock Holmes was developed specifically for consoles, but is also a PC title
  • We aren't wearing any underwear
  • The Testament of Sherlock Holmes will be released in early 2012
Did you find the lie? Yes? Go ahead and pat yourself on the back, buddy, because you've been duped. There was no lie -- your first mistake was blindly believing what we told you. And we sprayed an oil-activated chemical on your back, right where your greasy little hand just patted it. You should begin to feel an intense burning in three, two, one, now. Study the screenshots below and maybe you'll have a better chance of not suffering third-degree burns next time:

Continue reading Test your detective skills with The Testament of Sherlock Holmes screens

JoystiqTest your detective skills with The Testament of Sherlock Holmes screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>focus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-testament-of-sherlock-holmesxboxSun, 09 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Testament of Sherlock Holmes made with consoles in mind]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-made-with-consoles-in-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-made-with-consoles-in-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/the-testament-of-sherlock-holmes-made-with-consoles-in-mind/#comments We'd gotten in the habit of letting the ongoing Sherlock Holmes game series fall into our proverbial blindspots, perhaps because of the lackluster production values or PC-centric game design. That said, we got a sneak peek at the sixth game in the series, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, and we may have to revise our policy of ignoring any and all residents of 221B Baker Street.

Developer Frogwares have seriously upped the budget for this 360, PS3 and PC release, providing a big bump in graphical fidelity, as you can see for yourself after the break. With a new hint system and a more controller-friendly interface, it's also the first Sherlock game made specifically with console gamers in mind.

Also, Sherlock Holmes dies in it. It's right in the trailer. Go figure.

Continue reading The Testament of Sherlock Holmes made with consoles in mind

JoystiqThe Testament of Sherlock Holmes made with consoles in mind originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011focus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3sherlock-holmesthe-testament-of-sherlock-holmesxboxThu, 09 Jun 2011 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Sherlock Holmes trailer entirely devoid of murder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/ds-sherlock-holmes-trailer-entirely-devoid-of-murder/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/ds-sherlock-holmes-trailer-entirely-devoid-of-murder/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/ds-sherlock-holmes-trailer-entirely-devoid-of-murder/#comments If you've ever dreamed of being Sherlock Holmes and solving a dastardly murder, you won't be fulfilling that fantasy on DS. No, Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House has you solving puzzles and investigating a more mundane case. But hey, there's enough murder in video games already, right?

Continue reading DS Sherlock Holmes trailer entirely devoid of murder

JoystiqDS Sherlock Holmes trailer entirely devoid of murder originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsFocus-Home-InteractiveFrogwaresnintendosherlock-holmes-and-the-mystery-of-osborne-houseFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Investigate these new Sherlock Holmes screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/investigate-these-new-sherlock-holmes-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/investigate-these-new-sherlock-holmes-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/investigate-these-new-sherlock-holmes-screens/#commentsFocus Home Interactive has released a new batch of screens from the upcoming Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House for the DS. Specifically, the screens show off some of the game's puzzles. Without any context to go with the screens, we're definitely feeling a Professor Layton vibe, which is by no means a bad thing. The press release promises that players will have to use their "logic and observation senses through dozens of riddles, puzzles and brain teasers of all sorts," which also sounds about right for the Professor Layton crowd. We can only hope that Holmes manages to compete with the professor's English sensibilities and gentlemanly charms.

It's clear that both of them share the same fondness for distinctive hats, so maybe there's hope. Check out the new images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House (DS)

JoystiqInvestigate these new Sherlock Holmes screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>focus-home-interactivefrogwaressherlock-holmessherlock-holmes-and-the-mystery-of-osborne-houseWed, 14 Apr 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sherlock Holmes conducting an investigation on DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/sherlock-holmes-conducting-an-investigation-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/sherlock-holmes-conducting-an-investigation-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/sherlock-holmes-conducting-an-investigation-on-ds/#commentsThere are plenty of adventure games on DS about solving crimes -- but none of them star the world's greatest detective. Sherlock Holmes, that is. There are already plenty of Batman games. But developer Frogwares and publisher Focus Home Interactive are taking care of the deficiency of Holmes games, with a new original story starring the detective (from an established adventure game series).

In Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House, Holmes and Dr. Watson are tasked by the British Royal Family with recovering the Queen's stolen genealogical records. To find out who stole the records (seriously? That's the case? It's not an impossible prison escape or seemingly supernatural murder or something?) "you will have to use your senses of logic and observation through dozens of riddles, puzzles and brain teasers of all sorts." No date has been announced by Focus, and we deduce from the company's status as a European publisher that there is no information about a North American release yet.

Gallery: Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House (DS)


JoystiqSherlock Holmes conducting an investigation on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurefocus-home-interactivefrogwaressherlock-holmessherlock-holmes-and-the-mystery-of-osborne-houseTue, 02 Mar 2010 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sherlock Holmes & Jack the Ripper bring the fight to Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/sherlock-holmes-and-jack-the-ripper-bring-the-fight-to-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/sherlock-holmes-and-jack-the-ripper-bring-the-fight-to-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/sherlock-holmes-and-jack-the-ripper-bring-the-fight-to-xbox/#comments
Sherlock Holmes is bringing the fight to legendary slasher Jack the Ripper on the Xbox 360. According to Shacknews, the upcoming adventure game is currently in development for the console by Spiders Games and will pit the world-famous detective against the heinous serial-killer.

A PC version of Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper (developed by Frogwares Studio) has already seen a release in Europe and should ship Stateside sometime in the summer. What will happen when Holmes squares off against Jack? We're hoping for the camera to pullout to reveal the entire adventure was a setup for a Mortal Kombat style fighter. Or maybe that's a bad idea.

JoystiqSherlock Holmes & Jack the Ripper bring the fight to Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frogwaresjack-the-rippersherlock-holmessherlock-holmes-vs-jack-the-ripperspiders-gamesSun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST