Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened begins as a nightmare. CDV’s new adventure game opens with Dr. Watson writhing in bed while nightmarish visions of suffering flash on the screen. Following Watson's nightmare, the game flashes back two years earlier allowing you to take control of Holmes as he grapples with boredom. It seems the world's premier detective hasn't been mentally stimulated thanks to a lack of crime. As desirable peace and prosperity may seem, it certainly doesn't do much for Holmes whose career thrives off the heinous acts of others.

Watson encourages his friend to aid in the investigation of a missing servant, a Maori native who vanished without a trace from his master's mansion. Holmes begrudgingly accepts the commission, deducing the disappearance to be an abduction. Noticing similarities in the servant's kidnapping with other recent disappearances, Holmes theorizes the existence of a secret sect organizing the abductions for some unknown purpose. With few clues to the identity, purpose, or motive of this clandestine group, Holmes commits to uncovering the nefarious cult and saving its victims from whatever horror awaits their end.

From its opening moments it’s clear that Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened will travel a dark, disturbed path. Allusions to Cthulhu, the slimy, multi-tentacled Great Old One, set the stage for a twisted adventure, blending traditional click-and-point gameplay with the bizarre, downright horrific creatures of H.P. Lovecraft's short stories and novellas. While the adventure gameplay possesses a charm, there's no question to the appeal brought by the Cthulhu Mythos.

The game takes on a first-person perspective with movement and camera handled by the keyboard and mouse, respectively. Moving the mouse over certain objects will prompt context-sensitive actions ranging from examining an item, placing it in your inventory, or even turning something on or off. You'll know if something can be toyed with thanks to an icon that replaces the basic cursor.

In Holmes' early investigation of the servant's abduction, sniffing out clues involves plenty of contextual activity with the mouse. For example, footprints in a remote corner of the mansion grounds are easily examined by clicking on them and then using a measuring tape to infer the shoe size. With the information, Holmes deduces the man's height and weight. More clues to the servant's disappearance are gathered by using a magnifying glass on a coal fire pit, which yields a piece of charred opium.

Objects picked up during the adventure are automatically placed in Holmes' inventory, which is accessed with a click of the right mouse button. You won't be able to combine items from the inventory screen, but you can equip and then mix them using objects in the environment. As an example, Holmes is capable of analyzing the charred opium found in the servant's fire pit by placing it in a burner back at his laboratory and then lighting it with a solvent. Complementing his inventory, you can also click on tabs showing the current area's map, recent conversations, and documents related to the adventure.

CDV only revealed the opening chapter so direct in-game references to Cthulhu were at a minimum, but the company claims more than enough creepiness to go around later in the game. Additionally, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened features a number of platform puzzles based on physics that are intended to stray from standard adventure game fare. Full support of AGEIA's PhysX card is also an interesting bonus. We're eager to check out what new stuff Holmes can bring to the table, and if any Deep Ones actually eat the table, when the game hits stores this September.

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