New Sherlock Holmes title coming to 3DS in early 2012

Detective deduces market can support more than one Layton

Hankering for a new Layton for your 3DS? Then you might want to run your eye over Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Frozen City, the latest outing for the esoteric detective by French publisher Focus Interactive. At this time it’s not clear if the game is being developed by Frogwares, Focus’ resident Holmes powerhouse, or whether the title comes from a new studio. It certainly sounds a far cry from Frogware’s traditional approach to the series, focusing on a supernatural winter that’s frozen London city. Frogware’s previous output has consisted of far more serious games, in which you went up against kidnappers, cat burglers and Jack the Ripper.

In addition to its seemingly lighthearted plot, the screenshots released for the game show a new cartoon style which looks rather lighthearted. When you combine these, it seems pretty likely that Focus envision this game as a competitor to Layton on the 3DS. It’ll sure be interesting to see how the occasionally off putting character of Mr. Holmes is translated into a happier tale.

The game’s set to come out in the first half of next year and promises “innovate puzzles that make use of 3D”. Here’s hoping my sudden scepticism is unjustified.