If you canvassed a bunch of people about why they like Frogwares’ Sherlock Holmes games, it’s probably not unreasonable to suggest combat wouldn’t feature too prominently on any resulting list. In the run-up to Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One’s November release, however, Frogwares is trying to change some minds with a fresh look at the series’ revamped fisticuffs.
Frogwares says Chapter One’s new combat system is built “to suit the character of Sherlock”, meaning that while melee attacks and firearms are both present and extensively utilised throughout fight sequences, players won’t be able to take much of a beating.
Instead, they’ll need to even the odds through agile evasion and by making smart use of cover. Further advantages can be gained by identifying enemy weak points and exploiting environmental hazards – both highlighted while in Concentration Mode – and through the use of tools, such as Sherlock’s enemy dazing snuff box.
To arrest opponents, players first need to stun them, and while it’s possible to bring combat to a deadly conclusion if things spiral out of control, Frogwares notes that non-lethal takedowns are both canon and often preferred – given that extreme force won’t impress Sherlock’s new companion Jon. Much like the moral choices made throughout investigations, the developer says, “How you approach combat will ultimately influence your relationship with Jon.”