Ms. Holmes: The Case of the Dancing Men – Review
We love mystery games like Nancy Drew, Miss Clue, Sherlock Holmes and Ms. Holmes. This game is the fourth in the Ms. Holmes series. It’s called Ms. Holmes: The Case of the Dancing Men. It’s one of our favorites in the series and here is my review for the game.
Why The Case of the Dancing Men?
Ms. Holmes: The Case of the Dancing Men is the fourth entry in the Ms. Holmes hidden object puzzle adventure (HOPA) series. Inspired by the classic Sherlock Holmes tale, this game adds a modern, mysterious spin with clever storytelling, challenging puzzles, and a visually rich world.
In this installment, Ms. Holmes investigates a cryptic case involving a series of mysterious stick figure codes—the “dancing men”—that are linked to a string of crimes. The deeper she digs, the more she uncovers about a secret message system, long-buried secrets, and a powerful conspiracy. The game strikes a satisfying balance between logic-based mystery and dramatic intrigue.
This game continues the strong tradition of point-and-click exploration, hidden object puzzles, and inventory-based problem-solving. The hidden object scenes are detailed and thoughtfully layered, offering engaging variety. The puzzles are particularly satisfying in this entry, with new cipher-based mechanics that reflect the dancing men code theme and add depth to the gameplay.
The game’s visuals are polished, with a Victorian aesthetic blended with mysterious symbols and moody environments. Whether you’re in shadowy libraries or foggy alleyways, the artwork immerses you in the world. The soundtrack is subtle but effective, while the voice acting continues to bring charm and weight to the characters.
As with previous entries, there are collectibles, morphing objects, and achievements to discover. A bonus chapter offers a story involving some of the characters from the main story.
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
Smart, mystery-driven story with homage to classic Holmes.
Great variety of puzzles, especially cipher-based ones.
Strong visuals and atmospheric design.
Good replay value with extras and bonus chapter.
Cons
Occasional lack of direction during more complex puzzles.
Similar structure to previous games might feel repetitive to series veterans.
Summary
Overall, Ms. Holmes: The Case of the Dancing Men is an engaging addition to the series. It cleverly nods to classic detective fiction while delivering a fresh, puzzle-rich experience. With thoughtful game design and intriguing mystery elements, it stands out as a top-tier HOPA title.
Read my other reviews of the Ms. Holmes series below here:
Ms. Holmes: The Monster of the Baskervilles
Ms. Holmes: The Adventure of the McKirk Ritual
Ms. Holmes: The Case of the Dancing Men – Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee
Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.
