Sherlock Holmes: The Devils Daughter

Devil's Daughter is another worthy addition to the Sherlock Holmes series. It consists of 5 major cases, plus the unfolding of the story of Kate's daughter (who was introduced in Testament). It uses the newer 'mind palace' interface and the graphics and audio are on par with the later titles. For those who have played other Sherlock Holmes games, It is an enjoyable interlude in a familiar place. The apartment at 221 Baker and Scotland Yard remain unchanged and, of course, Toby (the dog) is always present.
There are some very complex puzzles in diverse environments that I found challenging and fun. Lots of evidence to uncover and multiple suspects in each case. Achievement hunters should be able to get 100% if nothing is skipped and you are able to win a lawn bowling tournament (which was simpler than I expected). Unlike some of the other games, there is no achievement for identifying the 'correct' suspect or making specific moral choices. This gives the player more freedom in linking evidence and coming to their own conclusions. I played the game on the easier level, as I was looking for relaxation rather than stress. Even on easy, you can still die but the penalty is marginal (restart at the same place).
There were a couple of balancing ('walk-the-plank') and eavesdropping exercises that I could not do with my keyboard and mouse. A controller was more intuitive for me to manage two-handed coordination.
The game auto-saves at regular intervals during each case. Thus, if you want to return to a prior checkpoint in the current case, you can do so. Once a case is completed, you are warned that moving ahead will delete all saves and begin again with the new case. Until this point, you can circle back and revise your conclusion and choices without penalty.
A warning... if the Holmes story grabs you, it is possible to binge for weeks by playing one game after another. I am not sure why it took me so long to jump into this world but it has been fun and I still have more titles to play. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy a good story and love solving mysteries.

Of the best atmospheric games in its genre, it really is a valuable game equal to the Sherlock Holmes book and movies.

Really enjoyed playing this after Crimes & Punishments! Though i will say my pros & cons to this!

First the pros: I enjoyed the story! It had a lot to talk about for Sherlock Holmes compared to Crimes & Punishment since that game was just playing Sherlock and solving crimes. This one had an ongoing story for him and certain characters! The graphics were great and updated & gameplay for it's puzzles were even more fun!

Cons: My only issue about it slightly is the change of models & VA, more specifically for both Sherlock & Watson! I saw some characters look like they were re-used from the first game which i will say but for both Holmes & Watson, they were updated completely and i'm not too much a fan of it. Don't get me wrong i love them but i miss the Crimes & Punishment models and VA as they felt like to me Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson imo.

Still it was fun playing this one and i recommend it if you have already played Crimes & Punishment and looking to test your puzzle solving mind!

Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter, the sequel to Crimes & Punishments, takes both steps forward and backward for the series. The game feels dated, with stiff, creaking animations and waxy, emotionless faces that do the presentation no favors. It certainly is starting to show it's age. The controls are console-specific and feel awkward on PC. Many analog, context-sensitive mini-games are challenging when using the WASD keys and mouse control scheme. Numerous mini-games require odd keyboard combinations to complete.

PC-specific bugs related to ultrawide aspect ratios interfere with scene investigations. When tasked with moving your mouse over areas of interest, the icon should highlight points of note. However, due to the ultrawide resolution issue, you typically need to hover your mouse 3 or 4 inches off the item of interest to initiate the prompt.

However, where Devil's Daughter excels is in its diverse detective gameplay. It offers a wide variety of sleuth-style mini-games and puzzles. While not particularly challenging, they are varied and interesting. Lock-picking, safe-cracking, suspect tailing, and even taking on the role of Toby, Sherlock's famous dog, to sniff out hidden entrances – the diversity is impressive, and all elements are well-executed.

The overall plot and sub-cases are more adventurous this time around. While Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments was more grounded in its storytelling, focusing on robberies, murders, and conspiracies, Devil's Daughter embraces a wilder approach, featuring ancient temples and the occult. This shift in tone is quite enjoyable.

It's an entertaining game with intriguing cases, a good story, and a diverse set of interesting sleuthing mini-games. However, it definitely feels dated, and the persistent visual bugs when using ultrawide resolutions are frustrating.

Very interesting game! Get it at a discount. Overall score: 6.5/10
As a fan of Sherlock Holmes and mystery games, The Devil's Daughter provides an intriguing mix of detective work and storytelling. The game shines most in its investigation and deduction mechanics. The personal stakes surrounding Sherlock’s relationship with his daughter give the game a refreshing emotional layer that isn’t typical in most detective games. However, the inclusion of action sequences felt out of place for me, as they didn’t align with the methodical, intellectual nature of Sherlock Holmes. These moments disrupted the game’s pacing and made certain segments feel more like a typical action-adventure title than a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The puzzles, while satisfying, could be more balanced in terms of difficulty. That said, the game succeeds in creating a richly atmospheric world and engaging cases that keep you guessing until the end.
Story: 8/10
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter offers a compelling mix of mystery, action, and supernatural elements. The narrative centers around Sherlock’s investigation into several seemingly unrelated cases, which gradually converge into a larger mystery involving his adopted daughter, Katelyn. As a father figure, Sherlock faces emotional dilemmas that contrast with his otherwise logical and deductive personality. However, some may find the supernatural aspects a bit jarring for the character’s typically grounded, logical world. Despite this, the overarching narrative successfully ties the cases together by the end, providing a satisfying resolution.
Graphics: 6/10
Visually, the game shows its age, despite the detailed character models and immersive environments. Victorian London is recreated masterfully, from the fog-filled streets to the lavish interiors of grand estates. The attention to detail in both the locations and character expressions enhances the game’s atmosphere. Lighting and weather effects also play a crucial role in setting the tone of various scenes, making each case feel distinct. However, facial animations can occasionally be stiff, breaking immersion during dialogue-heavy scenes. The environments, though beautifully rendered, can sometimes feel empty and lacking in life, especially in more open areas.
Sound: 7/10
The soundtrack complements the game’s eerie and mysterious tone, blending orchestral pieces with more atmospheric, suspenseful tracks. The voice acting is solid overall, with Sherlock’s cold and calculated demeanor coming through clearly. However, some side characters suffer from flat or overly exaggerated performances, which can detract from the immersion. Ambient sounds like the bustling streets of London, crackling fireplaces, and footsteps on cobblestone streets are well-implemented, contributing to the overall mood of the game. While not groundbreaking, the sound design does its job effectively and supports the game’s narrative and visuals.
Gameplay: 7/10
The core of the gameplay revolves around investigation, deduction, and puzzle-solving. As Sherlock, players explore crime scenes, gather clues, and connect evidence using the deduction board—a feature where players piece together information to form conclusions. This process is engaging and rewarding, especially when the player feels like they've cracked the case. The game introduces some action-oriented sequences, such as chases and quick-time events, which add variety but can feel out of place in a Sherlock Holmes game. These segments often rely on reflexes more than the character’s trademark intellect, which some players might find frustrating or unnecessary. The puzzles are diverse, but their difficulty can vary greatly, from being intuitively solved to overly complex, sometimes causing the pace of the game to slow. The dialogue-based deductions, where you accuse a suspect, are tense and thought-provoking, offering multiple potential outcomes depending on your choices. However, there are moments when certain conclusions feel forced, with less room for alternative solutions.
Replay Value: 4/10
The Devil's Daughter has below average replay value. While the core mystery remains the same, the ability to make different decisions during investigations, which can lead to varied outcomes, adds some incentive for replaying. You can approach certain deductions differently, affecting the resolution of individual cases and your overall experience. However, once you’ve solved the mysteries and seen the key plot points, there isn’t much else to return to. The linear narrative design also limits how much players can explore alternative paths.
Favorite quote:
"Oh holy spirit, save your pans from demons and poor musicianship!" - Sherlock Holmes

The story is interesting, and you really feel like a detective as you collect clues and connect the dots. Some puzzles are a bit tricky, and the action parts can feel awkward, but the game is still enjoyable overall. The graphics and atmosphere are great, and it’s satisfying when you figure out the right conclusions. It’s not perfect, but if you like mystery games, it’s worth trying!
PS: the scene on the trailer doesn't exist on the main story game play which disappointed me.

What a strange gaming experience. The setting and cases are intriguing, but everything is a minigame. In the middle of it all, the genre completely shifts, and there are fast-paced action sequences. I would have liked more character insight and significantly fewer minigames.