Ms. Holmes: Five Orange Pips – Review

This game is another one of the Ms. Holmes games that we recently played. We like the series of games a lot but not as much as Nancy Drew of course. But it does remind us of the Dossier Nancy Drew games. This is the second game in the series of Ms. Holmes, and it’s called Ms. Holmes: Five Orange Pips, this is my review for the game.

Why Five Orange Pips?

Ms. Holmes: Five Orange Pips is the second installment in the Ms. Holmes hidden object puzzle adventure (HOPA) series. Combining clever detective work, mysterious threats, and engaging gameplay, this entry builds on the foundation of the first game with a stronger narrative and more polished puzzles.

In this game, Ms. Holmes is faced with a baffling case inspired by the classic Sherlock Holmes tale, “The Five Orange Pips.” Strange letters and ominous symbols point to a series of deadly warnings, pulling her into a web of secrets and danger. The story is well-paced, full of red herrings and dramatic reveals, keeping players guessing right up to the end.

As expected from a HOPA title, gameplay revolves around solving hidden object scenes, collecting inventory items, and completing mini-puzzles. The hidden object scenes are creative, occasionally interactive, and tied into the plot nicely. Puzzles vary in complexity and include logic challenges, matching games, and mechanical tasks that are satisfying to solve.

The visual presentation is strong, with vibrant backgrounds and expressive characters. The game leans into a polished Victorian aesthetic with subtle animations that bring the scenes to life. The voice acting is solid, and the music enhances the mystery without being too intrusive.

Players can enjoy collectibles and morphing objects hidden throughout the game, as well as achievements and a bonus chapter that extends the story with a secondary mystery. These additions offer extra value for completionists.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-players on a computer/steam.

Pros

Compelling, mystery-driven story.

Engaging hidden object scenes and puzzles.

Attractive visuals and immersive sound design.

Good bonus content for added replay value.

Cons

Some puzzles may feel familiar to HOPA veterans.

Occasional dialogue pacing issues.

Collectibles can be easy to miss without a guide.

Summary

Overall, Ms. Holmes: Five Orange Pips is an entertaining and atmospheric detective adventure with solid puzzles and an intriguing plot. It balances traditional HOPA gameplay with a fresh narrative flair and charming characters.