Sherlock: The Riddle Of The Crown Jewels Website Links For
Sherlock
 

Information About

Sherlock: The Riddle Of The Crown Jewels




  developer Infocom
  publisher Infocom
  designer Bob Bates
  engine ZIL
  released 1988
  genre Interactive Fiction
  modes Single Player
  ratings n/a
  platforms Amiga , Apple II , Atari ST , Commodore 64 , DOS , Macintosh
  media 3½" or 5¼" Disk
  requirements No special requirements
  input Keyboard


''Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels'' is an Interactive Fiction Computer Game designed by Bob Bates and published by Infocom in 1988 . Like most titles Infocom produced, the use of ZIL made it possible to release the game simultaneously for many popular computer platforms, including the Apple II , IBM PC , Atari ST , and Commodore 64 . ''Sherlock'' is based on the legendary fictional Detective Sherlock Holmes , created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle .


PLOT

The year is has been closed for "reasons of security." The great detective is unsurprised when, moments later, he is asked to investigate the theft of the Crown Jewels . The clues left behind, however, positively reek of a carefully-laid trap; Sherlock decides that he must step aside and allow Dr. Watson to pursue the thief instead. But if the Jewels are not replaced within 48 hours, the British government will be forced to admit that their most prized possessions were stolen and suffer worldwide humiliation.

The player fills the role of Watson, travelling around London in Hansom Cab s while attempting to recover the Crown Jewels while encountering many characters from Doyle's stories such as Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft Holmes , and Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars . A series of riddles and clues lead Watson on a hunt for inscribed jewels hidden at several famous sites across the city, including Westminster Abbey , Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and London Bridge . Eventually, the villain is revealed as Professor Moriarty , who captures both Watson and Holmes. With quick thinking and the help of some humble medical supplies, however, Watson manages to subdue Moriarty and return the Jewels to the Tower in time.


FEELIES

Infocom had a long-standing practice of including . The feelies included with ''Sherlock'':
  • A map of Victorian London from "Admiral Beaton's London Tours"

  • An issue of the ''London Thames'' Newspaper from June 17 , 1887

  • A Key Fob bearing images of Holmes and Watson in Silhouette above the game's logo



NOTES

''Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels'' was the first game in Infocom's "Immortal Legends" genre. The only other game published in this line was '''', also written by Bates.

Infocom had abandoned their custom of labelling games in terms of difficulty by the time of ''Sherlock'''s release. Fans generally consider it to be either "Standard" or "Advanced" difficulty.

Like several of Infocom's later releases, ''Sherlock'' featured a built-in hint system.

There are 2 famous bugs in this game—the so-called "light" bug and the "Wiggins" bug. In the "light" bug, it is possible to travel on foot through the darkened streets of London without the lamp if you know where you are going and can arrange for a light to be there waiting for you. With the "Wiggins" bug, it is even possible to get rid of Wiggins forever in the game.


REFERENCES