Video game:The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes: Curse of the Rose Tattoo

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 1992, Electronic Arts published The Case of the Serrated Scalpel,'' the first game in The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes'' series. EA Games released its sequel, The Case of the Rose Tattoo,'' in 1996. These point-and-click adventure games gave new life to the detective game genre through their detailed graphics and historically accurate depictions of Victorian England. Both games made use of live video actors to tell their stories.

Critics and players enjoyed both games. In his review of The Case of the Serrated Scalpel,' Johann Walter, a critic for Adventure Gamers, wrote, Having always a surprise in store for you, the game will keep you awake for many days until it reaches its satisfying conclusion.'' Another critic for Adventure Gamers, Jim Saighman, described The Case of the Rose Tattoo'' as smart, witty, stylish, immersive, educational, and entertaining.''

While The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes'' series comprised only two games, the famous detective starred in many more video games. 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.''