The race to stop Lupin plays out over a lengthy adventure that presents ample challenges from start-to-finish. Frequently you'll be using information gathered to determine which items are needed, figure out where they're located, and then use them on the appropriate hot-spot. Of course, there's more to it than that, which is what keeps the gameplay interesting throughout the case. The puzzles are pleasantly varied and complex, but they can also be solved with relative ease in most instances with a little patience and attention to the clues presented. On the other hand, there are some that are seriously tricky and require a substantial level of gumption to figure out.

More than a few moments in the game will have you chuckling at the sheer cleverness of the puzzles and how they tie into the plot. Since this is a Sherlock Holmes game, detective work is an absolute must to succeed. You'll also be measuring footprints to gain shoe-sizes, using a magnifying glass to examine small details, and piecing together clues from documents and riddles at nearly every step of the way. Occasionally, you'll be called upon to answer a question by manually inputting a word or phrase with an on-screen keypad. Coming up with the proper phrase can be tricky; you'll have to cull enough information to make a best guess. These are perhaps the most unwieldy obstacles in the game, since it's a pain to hunt-and-peck with the mouse rather than just typing the word in with the keyboard. Otherwise, you're up for some good brain-bending fun.

As far as adventure games go, Nemesis is incredibly meticulous in its presentation of an excellent story and gameplay based on the quintessential literary sleuth. Its few blips are easily overlooked when presented with the whole experience this adventure caper has to offer. Holmes fans will love the complexity of the game and it's faithfulness to the classic characters. It's also challenging and deep enough to hit the sweet spot for any adventure game enthusiast.

By Nathan Meunier
CCC Staff Contributor