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0 After the last review of an online escape room experience from Wolf Escape Games, Hallows Hill, we wanted to see what their newest offering was like. Thankfully the team over there are incredibly friendly and offered us a code for their newest experience. Queue Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour.
Elementary…apparently.
What happens when a team of wannabe detectives from the TC team all band together? Read on to found out how they got on.
Gameplay
I won’t go into the ins and outs of how a Wolf Escape Game works. Instead, I recommend checking out Jason’s review of the Hallows Hill experience here.
Right, you’re back, now on discovering all about Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour. When a stranger writes to you, the infamous Sherlock Holmes, accused of something they haven’t done, you and your companion Watson are drawn into a case that would defy all logic. All signs illogically point towards a ghost. I’m dubious.
Set in 1896, deep in Victorian London something goes horribly wrong. Someone is murdered and the blame is put firmly on an innocent person’s toes. What puzzles will you have to solve to find out the truth of this mystery? Let’s start at the beginning.
Puzzle Time
Upon first starting the game you are tasked with getting out of 221B Baker Street. A feat that to a normal person wouldn’t be a problem. Just open the door. Unfortunately, things are never this easy, and with a time-release lock on the door, you were tasked with finding the code for the override release. I’ll be honest, but the team of 5 of us took a stupid amount of time to get through this initial puzzle. Having to put clocks to a particular time based on being in a particular time zone should be easy. It wasn’t. We eventually got through the puzzle and we were greeted with the next one.
Next up was another puzzle and a cup of tea. Before we then headed to the next venue, the morgue. Time to study the body and learn what sent the deceased to their untimely end.
The puzzles themselves ranged in difficulty. Although I have to say that the Hallows Hill experience seemed slightly easier overall. Which was a surprise, as Wolf Escape Games rank the difficulty of Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour as easier. A few times, the teamwork failed, and we had to reset and try the puzzle again. Thankfully, we eventually beat the whole experience. We even took less time than the guide said, albeit by one minute.
Graphics & Audio
The cinematics and visuals of Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour are brilliant. The cut scenes are incredibly well put together, with a gritty and era look. Each scene that you are required to play through is detailed, so detailed that unless you take particular care you may miss certain aspects of the scene. There aren’t any jump scare moments like in Hallows Hill, or any particularly chilling moments. Which I will admit is a real shame. Instead opting for scenes with logic and methodical thinking.
The Audio of the game brings some great accents, although it was hard to differentiate between Sherlock and Holmes. The sound effects were great and thankfully there were no reports of sound issues from any of the team taking part.
Longevity
With all escape rooms, once you’ve completed it there is no reason to return. The same can be said for Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour. Unfortunately, this is a one-and-done type of experience. There isn’t really any merit in trying it once as the host, and then trying again as a team member.
Final Thoughts
I was really hoping to enjoy this experience, especially after we played another offering from Wolf Escape Games with Jason giving that one a Platinum Award. Unfortunately, with overly difficult puzzles and a loss of immersion, the Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour experience just felt a little flat. I can appreciate that the whole thing was thoroughly themed so perhaps this created some restrictions.
However, what it did do was create a great team event, and after all, isn’t that one of the best things in gaming? Playing games with friends and family and experiencing these new types of events is the real joy.
Is it with that in mind that I award Sherlock Holmes: Phantom’s Hour the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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