Paolo Garelli
First I want to thank Dracomaca for providing us with a physical copy of Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake Case so that we can write this review. This is the first gamebook of this type that I’ve come across and I must say that it’s curious in terms of format. Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake case is developed on a notepad. We are talking about 40 colour pages full of puzzles and illustrations.
In case, once you have read our review, you want to buy it, you can find it in the physical version for around € 9.90.
The Contents of Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake Case
The peculiarity of this gamebook is not only its format but also the fact that we will move two different characters. Our story’s protagonists are Wiggins, the head of Sherlock Holmes’ irregulars, and Mrs Hudson, the landlady of 221B Baker Street.
The story will develop around a delicious cake, the Victoria Cake. Wiggins, attracted by her perfume, will do anything to steal it, while Mrs Hudson will want to prevent him at all costs. I admit that the story may seem simple, but each page is full of important details useful for solving a large number of puzzles in the gamebook.
Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake Case Rulebook Review
The rules of Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake Case are straightforward and are all contained on the first page. It will simply be necessary to continue reading and make your choice at the end of each paragraph.
We will begin our adventure in the role of Wiggins whose acumen has been rated by Sherlock Holmes as many as 5 pipes. As we proceed with the adventure this number will end up increasing or decreasing according to our choices. As for Wiggins, the final evaluation will depend on the number of pipes in our possession.
In some pages of the work, we will then find parts of the text written in red. At that moment we can decide to turn the gamebook over to play the adventure as Mrs. Hudson. We will experience the story from the point of view of the two protagonists and we will decide who to lead to victory. Mrs Hudson’s final assessment will be markedly different from Wiggins’.
Final Thoughts
Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake Case is a peculiar gamebook that I enjoyed playing. If I had initially underestimated his story, as I continued reading I discovered a more compelling plot made up of small details. Alberto Orsini has done a really good job with the story and the color illustrations by Adriano Donato la Vitola complete it all.
Sherblock Holmes – The Victoria Cake Case was a new and interesting experience; it has multiple endings, one of which is completely unexpected. A format that is easy to read and to take everywhere. A fun pastime for everyone!
