Clues Galore in Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations

March 25, 2020 | Sessions | 0 comments

Uncover various mysteries with a classic duo in the Graphic Novel Adventure, Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations.

Onto another Graphic Novel Adventure! I often enjoy deduction and mystery-based games, but there aren’t a whole lot of solo options available. Fortunately, Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations is a gamebook filled with mysteries to solve. I completed it back in 2018, but for the sake of comparing all of the adventures, back to Baker Street I went!

Game Overview

Game Name: Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations
Publication Year:
2014
Designer:
Cédric Asna
Artist:
Cédric Asna
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)

I arrived prepared! My trusty magnifying glass was absolutely necessary if I was to be a proper detective.

The gamebook, as expected, involves 4 mysteries of various sorts. Sprinkled throughout are different puzzles, too, and plenty of hidden aspects. The game is afoot!

A Bit of Humor

I missed the humorous side of this adventure. Even though murder isn’t off the table, there is still an appropriately lighthearted atmosphere.

Watson, in particular, steals the spotlight in the opening panels. He has hilarious facial expressions, along with fantastic comebacks to some of Holmes’s statements!

A quick look at some of the panels, and I remembered a fair number of solutions. However, I wasn’t dissuaded.

Not everything came back, and the cases required a lot of deduction to piece together the clues.

Dual Characters

Gamebooks usually aren’t reusable, but with the unique case structure, this one can be enjoyed a few times.

Additionally, each case may be played as Holmes or Watson. This opens up a few unique options. It may not be a lot, yet it’s still a nice way to add a little variety!

On the subject of the case solutions, it all boils down to getting them all correct or not. So even if 3 of the 4 solutions are right, it’s not obvious which one is wrong.

I was excited to revisit this mystery world! A missing cat? A murder? And more? Definitely interesting, if I do say so.

Clues and Puzzles Aplenty

Although I remembered some of the mysteries and important clues, I enjoyed my return to this gamebook! I was surprised by how much I forgot about it, which is a great thing. I’m trying to gauge whether or not I could play once every year or so. I tend to reread books in this way, and I always enjoy returning to some of my favorites!

There are hidden numbers in some panels that lead to important information or side puzzles. Many were still tricky to find, although I was glad that I didn’t need to use my magnifying glass to find any of them!

Session Overview

Play Number: 7
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)
Required Play Space: 22″ x 12″
Setup Time: Almost None
Play Time: 1 Hour
Outcome: Incomplete

Time got away from me as I hunted down hidden typewriter keys and tried to put together all of the clues!

I only made it through 2 of the 4 mysteries. The exciting conclusion will be here soon! And we’ll see if I can detect.

%

1 Play

Affordability

Price & Value

8

Functionality

Challenges & Mechanics

7

Originality

Design & Theme

8

Quality

Components & Rules

7

Reusability

Achievement & Enjoyment

7

Variability

Distinctness & Randomness

1

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Continue the Conversation

What are some of your favorite solo mystery games? Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations is definitely an enjoyable experience for me, even though I may have solved it in the past! Are you ever surprised by the reusability of some of your games? I suppose there’s a benefit to having so many games… It’s easy to forget the details over time!

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