Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels
Summary
Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels is an interactive fiction computer game created by Bob Bates and released by Infocom in 1987. Like many other Infocom titles, the game was developed using ZIL, allowing it to be launched at the same time on multiple popular platforms, such as the Apple II, IBM PC, Atari ST, and Commodore 64. The game is inspired by the iconic fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, a character invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is the thirty-first title in the Infocom series and the first of two games developed by Challenge, Inc. using Infocom's development tools. It is the year 1887, and the entire country of England is preparing to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, commemorating her 50 years on the throne. Naturally, London is in a state of heightened excitement. One morning, while reading the newspaper, Sherlock Holmes notices a seemingly minor announcement: the Tower of London has been shut down for "security reasons." As expected, he is soon called in to investigate the disappearance of the Crown Jewels. However, the evidence suggests a meticulously planned deception; Sherlock concludes that he must step back and let Dr. Watson take the lead in tracking down the thief. If the Jewels are not returned within 48 hours, the British government will be forced to acknowledge the theft of their most treasured artifacts, resulting in international disgrace. In the game, the player assumes the role of Watson, traveling through London in a Hansom cab in an effort to recover the Crown Jewels, while meeting a variety of characters from Doyle's stories, including Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft Holmes, and Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars.
