Sherlock
The Riddle of the Crown Jewels
| Implementers |
Bob Bates |
| Release Year | 1987 |
MORIARTY HAS SET A DEADLY TRAP FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES. AND ONLY YOU CAN STOP HIM...
Travel back in time to Victorian London, where the city is bustling with preparations for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee. Crowds of sight-seers and souvenir vendors fill the streets in eager anticipation of the Jubilee Week events. Newspapers detail the gala array of festivities. Sumptuous receptions for foreign dignitaries. Special services at Westminster Abbey. A Royal Procession through the streets of London. And the Queen reigning over all, resplendent in the Crown Jewels.
At least, that's the official plan. Unbeknownst to the celebrants thronging the city, a crisis has arisen: the Crown Jewels have been stolen from the Tower of London. If they're not recovered before the festivities begin, the theft will be exposed and the government will fall into international disgrace.
Only 48 hours remain to solve the crime. With Scotland Yard failing to make headway, the Prime Minister calls on Sherlock Holmes, the famous consulting detective. But riddles left at the scene of the crime include a direct challenge to Holmes, who suspects a deadly trap. To throw the scoundrel off his guard, Holmes turns the investigation over to you, his trusted cohort, Dr. Watson.
With Holmes by your side, you use your wits, intuition, and a myriad of clues to solve the riddles and piece together the mystery. Your search for the jewels and the villain leads you all over London, from the most popular tourist attractions to the seediest back alleys. As Big Ben strikes each successive hour and dangerous complications impede your progress, you realize you're facing that most dastardly of foes, Holmes's archnemesis...the vile Professor Moriarty.
Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels is the first story in Infocom's new Immortal Legends series, developed by Challenge, Inc. Using Infocom's sophisticated development tools, Challenge lends its own brand of puzzles and plotting to interactive fiction. In The Riddle of the Crown Jewels, author Bob Bates brings Holmes's London to life, filling it with familiar characters and locations. On-screen hints provide clues when your magnifying glass falls short of the task.
And now, come, Watson! The game is afoot...
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From the Library (5 articles)
Sherlock Holmes -- Immortal Legend News
"You are standing in the spill of a gas streetlight outside 221 B Baker Street. You have come in response to an urgent summons from your old landlady, Mrs. Hudson. As the fog swirls around you, you huddle into your coat and shiver in the predawn chill." . . .
~1 minute read
Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels Review
SHERLOCK: THE RIDDLE OF THE CROWN JEWELS (NA/⭐⭐⭐½) by Bob Bates of Challenge, Inc. for Infocom is a celebration of the famous sleuth's 100th anniversary as a character in mystery fiction. Now he has become the star of a piece of interactive fiction, and the player has the privilege of taking the role of Dr. Watson. . . .
~1 minute read
Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels Walkthrough Spoilers
Spring is with us once again (poor Fred, he misses those long winter nights already); time to put away the snow shovels and get out the lawn mowers. While you're waiting for the grass to grow high enough to cut, have a seat and we'll talk about the good old days: hansom cabs, gaslight, fog-shrouded streets, and Sherlock Holmes. . . .
~8 minute read
Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels Review
The crown jewels have been stolen -- and the Queen is to lead a procession through the streets of olde London towne in two days time! Without her glittering finery the news of the theft would spread, and the British Government fall into international disgrace. Scotland Yard have tried everything to track down the criminal and failed, so it's time to instigate the aid of the world's finest detective -- Sherlock Holmes. . . .
~3 minute read
High-Tech Sleuthing With Infocom's Sherlock Review
Infocom’s Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels pits you against Sherlock Holmes's nemesis, Professor Moriarty. Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee is only two days away, and Moriarty has stolen the Crown Jewels. The Queen must wear the jewels for the Jubilee; their loss is a disaster. Moriarty has left plenty of clues, clearly intending to lead Holmes into a trap. In order to derail the Professor's plans, the Great Detective introduces a random factor by putting you, Dr. Watson, in charge of the investigation. . . .
~2 minute read
In the Box (6 images)
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Historical Sales Data
Units Shipped By Year
| 87-893 |
Total units shipped: 21,317
Overall ranking: 28 of 33
Accounts for 1% of units sold
3 Data for April 1987 - March 1989
Source: (1981-1989) Internal Infocom documents, archived by Steve Meretezky
Editions (1 format)
Slip Case Box (1988-1989)
Game box (inner box in outer slip case cover)
Game manual
Game disk in grey Infocom sleeve (no sleeve for 3-1/2" disk)
Map of London, folded
The Thames newspaper issue, double-sided, folded
Sherlock Holmes keychain fob
System-specific reference card
Warranty registration card
Product catalog/coupons (Activision)
Mail-in coupon for The Witness
