Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
Give it 15 hours
What the data shows
- In the first 2 hours 1 in 2 reviews are negative (64%); after 20h it's 1 in 13 (8%).
- Fully opens up by hour 20.
- The opening is criticised more than in 92% of games we track.
- 29% of players who start reach the ending.
- The biggest drop-off is between “Diamond in the Rough” (Solve the first case on Cordona) and “Once Upon a Time” (Open Sherlock's room): from 92% to 58% of starters.
- Only 70% of owners have even the first achievement — the rest barely played.
When it gets good
Share of positive reviews by how many hours the reviewer had played when writing the review.
before it gets good opening up fully opened up
Based on all 4,620 Steam reviews in every language. Median playtime in a sample of 298 reviews: 22.8h for positive, 6.1h for negative. Almost every game is rated lower in the first 2–3 hours: that window includes refunds and quick first impressions. What matters is how deep the dip is and how fast the game recovers.
Where players quit
Share of players who started the game and reached each story milestone. 100% is the most common achievement (69.9% of owners), so people who bought the game and never launched it don't count.
- Started playing 100%
- Diamond in the Rough Solve the first case on Cordona. 92% −8
- Once Upon a Time Open Sherlock's room. Most players quit here 58% −34
- A Mother's Arms Open Violet's room. 42% −16
- Curiouser and Curiouser Open the cabinet of curiosities. 34% −8
- Closing a Chapter Remember everything. 29% −5
story milestone ending biggest drop-off
Story milestones were labeled by AI from achievement names and descriptions; mistakes are possible.
All achievements (39)
story milestone ending side
- The Walls Have Ears Eavesdrop on your first piece of gossip. 100%
- Diamond in the Rough Solve the first case on Cordona. 92%
- Once Upon a Time Open Sherlock's room. 58%
- Citizen's Arrest Arrest ten enemies. 52%
- Animal Advocate Save Goliath's life. 43%
- A Mother's Arms Open Violet's room. 42%
- Everyone's a Critic Find all the books in the Bazookaeology trilogy. 40%
- Poor Sportsmanship Try to take the easy way out. 38%
- Perfect Gentleman Spare the landlady's feelings. 37%
- Street Sweeper Arrest twenty-five enemies. 36%
- Mamma Mia! Prank Mrs. Nini. 35%
- Curiouser and Curiouser Open the cabinet of curiosities. 34%
- Not Up To Snuff Disorient ten enemies with the snuffbox. 32%
- His First Bow Acquire Sherlock's famous violin. 32%
- Child's Play Solve all the cases for the police. 31%
- Rumour Has It... Lift the curtain on bohemian life. 30%
- Closing a Chapter Remember everything. 29%
- Not His Toy Disappoint Mycroft. 27%
- Well-Earned Rest Let an old man have his retirement. 26%
- Catch of the Day Hold an eel by the tail. 24%
- Finger Slipped Kill five enemies. 24%
- Read It and Weep Find the book. 22%
- Voice of the People Always advocate for the refugees. 22%
- Friends in Low Places Talk to The Pipe in the correct disguise. 21%
- Lawful Neutral Interrogate every suspect in the safe murder as a police officer. 21%
- Vengeance of the Lamb Get justice for Fabio. 19%
- Join The Club Follow the rules of the Blind Duelling Club. 18%
- Curse Correction Investigate the third accident. 18%
- Open Eyes Take pity on a poor girl. 18%
- The Tale of the Empty House Refurbish the entire manor. 17%
- Gold Digger Uncover all of the treasures. 14%
- Guilty! Present accurate evidence in all accusations. 13%
- Lore Almighty Complete all Cordona Stories. 13%
- Hocus-Pocus Talk to Dilwyn in his hat. 13%
- Short Temper Punch first, ask questions later. 12%
- Blood On Your Hands Kill fifteen enemies. 11%
- Not Now Refuse to help Mycroft. 8.9%
- Daredevil Fight in all of the bandit lairs. 7.7%
- Becoming Sherlock Holmes Get every achievement. 4.1%