Video game:Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Before video games existed to capture the imagination, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published four novels and 56 short stories featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Between 1887 and 1927, the public waited eagerly for the next installment featuring the titular hero and his friend, Dr. John Watson. Today, Sherlock Holmes continues to captivate the world through film, television, and video games that present the opportunity for players to step into the detective's shoes and try their own hand at solving mysteries.

Melbourne House released the first Sherlock Holmes video game for the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 gaming consoles in 1984. A simple text adventure, Sherlock'' served as a stepping stone for future games involving Sherlock Holmes.

In 2002, Wanadoo released the first game in the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' series for the PC. Entitled Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy,'' the game launched a popular series that included many sequels. Like other games involving the character Sherlock Holmes, the mystery does not come from the original Conan Doyle series.

The Mystery of the Mummy'' received mixed reviews from critics. Ugur Sener of Adventure Lantern wrote that the game, has an interesting premise,'' but ultimately falls short of the mark,'' while GameZone wrote that Sherlock fans will be sure to love it.' Nevertheless, players enjoyed the game and it received many sequels.

Focus Home Interactive released the third game in the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' series in 2006. Entitled Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened,'' this game became the first in the series to involve supernatural elements in its plotline, as well as the first to use the first- rather than third-person perspective. Players must solve the mystery of strange disappearances that seem related to the secret cult of Cthulhu.

Critics and players alike praised the game for its story and graphics. Brett Todd of GameSpot wrote, Both true to the character of Sherlock Holmes and a rip-roaring pulp adventure in its own right, The Awakened' is a must-play game.' In 2007, GameSpot awarded The Awakened'' with the Best Use of a License'' award, and IGN nominated it for the Best PC Adventure Game of 2007.''

Focus Home Interactive released a remastered version of The Awakened'' in 2008. It improved the graphics of the original and offered an option to play the game in the third-person. More than a century after his first appearance, Sherlock Holmes continues to be a mainstay in popular culture for reasons he would deem truly elementary.''