At Gamescom, I got to try Sherlock Holmes: Night Stalker, a detective game that does things very differently from the usual mystery adventure.
Have you heard of Sherlock Holmes: Night Stalker? Me neither. But then I stumbled upon its small, hidden booth at Gamescom and honestly – I was more than surprised how good AI can be in games.
A Different Kind Of Detective Game
Imagine a game without dialogue wheels and no prompts – instead, you gather information directly through conversations and questioning. Every character you meet is driven by AI. They have their own backstories and motives, and they react in real time to how you treat them. That might mean a nervous laugh when you press them too hard, or outright hostility if you push things too far. Interactions feel less like working through a script and more like dealing with unpredictable people who each have something to hide.
This feels highly immersive and works surprisingly well. Characters react quickly to you, and their voices sound natural, not robotic. You will also have the opportunity to actually talk to the characters. I was unable to try it out, but if it works well, it could be the next level of immersion.
The story builds on the Baskerville legend: a mysterious death in the marshes, rumors of a supernatural hound, and a series of murders that suggest something darker is at play. Whether you solve the case, make enemies, or even end up accused yourself depends on the evidence you find and the way you handle suspects. Watson also plays a role, not as a simple sidekick, but as an AI partner who helps connect the dots. When you combine clues, Watson draws deductions that can shift the investigation forward.
As expected, the game still felt like an early build, but the AI worked really well. The graphics look good, and the overall mood seems fitting for a mysterious detective game. You can add Night Stalker to your Steam wishlist. The release date is set for the end of 2025.