Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened — Everything We Know

In a bid to reawaken one of 2006's richest mystery games, developer Frogwares has reunited with Holmes and Watson to revive Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. And the best part is, it isn't just a standard port of an incredibly old game, but a full-fledged remake, complete with all the bells and whistles to comply with the latest hardware.

So, what do we actually know about the game, and what should you, the budding detective, be preparing for ahead of its April release? Well, here's everything we've been able to gather on the subject since first hearing of it last year.

What Is Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened?

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is an upcoming mystery-adventure game, as well as a remake of the 2006 original, by Frogwares. Once again, players will be invited to fill the weighty boots of Sherlock Holmes, one of Britain's most celebrated fictional detectives, along with his trusty companion Watson, as they embark on an eye-opening quest inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos.

In Frogwares' own words: “Experience a nerve-racking Lovecraftian adventure, rebuilt from the ground up with modern graphics and gameplay. Become Sherlock Holmes, and find yourself at the heart of the terrifying Cthulhu Mythos as you investigate a series of mysterious disappearances in Europe and the US.”

Story

Given the fact that The Awakened casts its focus on the “heart of Cthulhu Mythos”, a great deal of The Awakened will most definitely be spent working to unravel the evil plots conjured by the legendary Lovecraftian cult. What's more, the upcoming chapter will also serve as an origin story of sorts, as it reportedly “lifts the curtain on how Sherlock and John, mere roommates at the time, became the world-famous crime-solving duo.”

So, what is Cthulhu Mythos, and how does it tie in with Holmes and Watson? Well, to put it short, the Cthulhu Mythos is a fictional universe coined by the prolific writer H.P. Lovecraft. It's within this very world that the likes of Lovecraft and his successors foster their settings, characters, tropes, and lore. The Awakened, being the first game to step away from the traditional format, will revolve around this literary haven, and will have the two famed detectives digging in to a thread of disappearances that pertain to Cthulhu Mythos.

“For the first time in his life, Sherlock is truly afraid,” the blurb opens. “A man of rationale and reason, he faces an otherworldly entity that defies all logic, and this discovery is as enlightening as it is shattering. The pursuit of the truth pushes Sherlock to the verge of madness, and it’s the only story that Watson will never publish.”

Gameplay

Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes anthology has kept to a pretty tight formula since bringing Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy to PC back in 2002. Therefore, one can only describe The Awakened as being just that — a puzzle-heavy, lore-filled, Lovecraftian adventure. As such, players can expect to immerse in a story-driven experience that will involve intricate fact finding missions, unearthing clues, and constructing a timeline of events that will help solve the disappearances relating to Cthulhu Mythos.

Of course, as with any instalment in the Sherlock Holmes saga, hand-holding is next to non-existent. To progress the story, you will need to learn how to connect the dots and build the case from the ground up, using a combination of skill and intuition to garner results and further develop the story. Fortunately for you, you're none other than Sherlock Holmes, England's most talented and tenacious detective.

Development

Announced back in 2022, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened made its debut in the form of a rather gripping sneak preview trailer. Since then, Frogwares, a Ukrainian studio that has been responsible for just about every entry in the series to date, has published a handful of additional clips—exclusive snippets outlining Holmes' upcoming adventures in the heart of Cthulhu Mythos.

The Awakened will serve as the tenth main entry in the Sherlock Holmes saga, and will follow on from 2021's Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, yet another origin story that chronicles the fictional icon's earliest adventures. It will be launching on all major platforms on April 11, 2023.

Trailer

So, has Holmes' latest venture caught your eye? If so, then you'll no doubt want to see the prolific detective in the virtual flesh. And if that is the case, then you're in luck, as Frogwares did in fact release a trailer for the game earlier this year. You can see it for yourself in the video embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened will be coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC via Steam on April 11, 2023. Does this mean it could find its way to the likes of Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus? Technically, yes. Having said that, if Frogwares was to partner up with either of the two, the announcement would've already been made by now. In the future though, perhaps?

Ready to go one step further? If so, you can go ahead and get your hands on one of three editions today — Standard, Deluxe, or Premium. You can see what comes included in each of the available launch editions down below.

Standard Edition

• Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
• Exclusive Pre-Launch DLC — The Sleuth's Attire (3 costumes)
• Set of digital wallpapers

Deluxe Edition 

• Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
• The Whispered Dreams Side Quest Pack
• Exclusive Pre-Launch DLC — The Sleuth's Attire (3 costumes)
• Set of digital wallpapers

Premium Edition

• Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
• Exclusive Pre-Launch DLC — The Sleuth's Attire (3 costumes)
• The Whispered Dreams Side Quest Pack
• Sherlock Holmes The Awakened Soundtrack
• Sherlock Holmes The Awakened Artbook
• Set of digital wallpapers

For more information on Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened, you can follow the official social feed here. If anything happens to change ahead of its release, we'll be sure to let you know all the key details right here on gaming.net.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened when it drops later this year? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.