Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express (2023)

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express brings the beloved mystery novel to life in video game form. Developed by Blazing Griffin, this point-and-click adventure game immerses you in the rich atmosphere of the Orient Express in the 1920s. As famed detective Hercule Poirot, you must interview passengers, examine clues, and unravel a perplexing murder case.

I found the game’s faithful adaptation of the novel highly engaging. The stunning art deco environments made me feel like I was aboard the elegant train. The character models and voice acting bring the diverse cast of suspects to life. I appreciated how the game expanded upon the original story with the addition of a new playable character, private detective Joanna Locke. Playing as Joanna in flashbacks set in the United States provided an interesting counterpoint to Poirot’s investigation upon the train.

Immersive Investigations

One of the highlights of Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express is exploring the richly detailed train environments and uncovering clues. As Poirot, I relished wandering the narrow hallways, examining the ornate sleeping quarters, and peeking into the dining car to soak in the ambience. The game provides an immersive sense of place.

The investigation gameplay has a nice flow to it. I enjoyed questioning quirky passengers, each with their own secrets and motivations. The interrogations feel authentic due to the excellent voice acting and character animation. After gathering information, I could retreat to Poirot’s cabin to review evidence, pin clues on a timeline, and link them together on a deduction board. Slowly unraveling the mystery over the course of the 6-8 hour game provided a satisfying investigative experience.

Some Fun Detective Work

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express mixes up the sleuthing with a variety of detective puzzles. I liked how the game incorporated codes to crack, objects to dust for fingerprints, and suspicious chemicals to analyze. These detective game mechanics provided enjoyable breaks between bouts of clue-gathering.

Playing as Joanna in the US-based flashbacks also spices things up. These sequences involve tailing suspects, lock-picking doors, and getting into tight spots to snap photographic evidence. The espionage angle offers lighter gameplay to contrast with Poirot’s more cerebral deductions aboard the Orient Express.

While I found the murder mystery engrossing overall, the game’s controls have some issues. Interactive objects don’t always highlight properly. This led to some frustrating moments where I clicked around trying to find the “hot” spot to examine an item. The dialogue navigation similarly felt clunky at times when choosing responses.

These minor control annoyances didn’t ruin the experience for me, but a bit more polish could have improved the game’s flow. Fans of classic point-and-click adventures should feel right at home though. This is also a great game of choice if you enjoyed Sherlock Holmes The Awakened.

Review: 8/10

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express does the beloved crime novel justice with its lush visuals, stellar voice acting, and satisfying investigative gameplay. Exploring the train and uncovering clues as Poirot made me feel like a real detective.

Pros:

• Stunning art deco environments
• Excellent voice acting brings characters to life
• Satisfying investigative gameplay as Poirot
• Joanna Locke provides a nice new perspective

Cons:

• Interactive hotspots can be finicky
• Dialogue navigation feels clunky at times