Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile Review

Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile Review

There's something comforting about a good detective story. Although the plot often revolves around the most heinous crimes, the way these stories unfold and the charismatic protagonists who solve them create a certain warmth in which logic triumphs over violence. While many games let you take on the role of a detective, few focus on legendary detectives. Sherlock Holmes has gone through countless adaptations, but Microids has continually created series around Hercule Poirot, refining its approach to capture the essence of the character. After the success of his predecessorwill Death on the Nile present the most compelling case of a Belgian?

Separated from the novel, the game moves from the 1930s to the funky 70s. The luxury cruise ship has been completely refurbished, decked out in browns and oranges, accented by vibrant greens and reds that perfectly capture the ambiance of the era. Not only does this give the story a new aesthetic, but it also broadens its appeal by shedding some of the high-end sophistication that was synonymous with the original setting. While this change may upset purists, I found the new take on this classic tale both bold and refreshing.

Have a nice trip!

Another major departure from the source material is the introduction of a second main character, Jane. Her story and motivations are different from Poirot's, adding another layer to the story. While the basic plot remains—a catastrophic murder aboard a beautiful ship sailing the Nile—the investigation unfolds differently. Jane pursues a killer and soon her path intertwines with Poirot's, forcing them to work together to uncover the truth. The inclusion of Jane and her narrative thread gives the classic story a welcome and exciting twist.

The gameplay has a wonderful, methodical pace that allows you to truly become immersed in the story. You will need to talk and ask people around you to learn more about the situation and piece together a narrative. Every interaction is recorded in an ever-growing mind map that cleverly tracks your progress and guides you to the next step. After a thorough investigation, you'll be able to connect the clues to draw conclusions and uncover every thread of the story. Not only does it convey a sense of embodiment of the literary symbol itself, but it also serves as a great wrap-up tool, ensuring you never lose track of the mystery. While similar systems have appeared in other games, Death on the Nile's implementation is particularly strong.

Small gray cells

Throughout the investigation you will have to solve many puzzles. Aside from conversations where you can expose lies and reveal the truth, you'll also be faced with more traditional tasks such as picking locks, fixing a jukebox, or even rearranging luggage to make sure everything fits in the trunk of a car. These moments create a calm, relaxing pace that makes the game enjoyable to play with others. Discussing ideas and working together brings new perspectives to the shared experience. Plus, with multiple difficulty options and a helpful hint system, it all leads to a fun, stress-free adventure.

When solving a mystery, you replay events by placing characters at key points to determine exactly what happened. Because it ties into every step of your investigation, there's a sense of satisfaction that comes with completing the puzzle. Once complete, you'll be able to watch events unfold and then blame the culprit, bringing the entire investigation to a rewarding and dramatic conclusion.

A moment in time

The game has a stylized aesthetic that gives it a distinct character. Abandoning the more traditional design of its counterparts proved to be a smart choice. The vibrant color palette and Telltale-style character models combine with a strong soundtrack to create an exciting and memorable performance. Unfortunately, the stiff animations and static environments hold the game back a bit, making the game feel a little dated.

Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile is a smart and thoughtful reimagining of the classic novel. The move to the 1970s and the introduction of a new main character breathed new life into a familiar story. While the gameplay follows the traditions of the genre, its mechanics are carefully executed, resulting in a fun and intriguing adventure that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Despite some stiff animation and occasional pacing issues, it remains an epic journey and one of Poirot's best works in the medium.

***Switch code provided by publisher***