Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile Review – Murder, Mystery, and Methodical Sleuthing

Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile Review

There’s something comforting about a good whodunit. While the premise often revolves around the most dreadful of crimes, the way these stories unfold, and the charismatic protagonists who solve them, create a certain warmth where logic triumphs over violence. Although many games let you step into the role of a detective, only a few focus on legendary investigators. Sherlock Holmes has enjoyed countless adaptations, but Microids has steadily built a series around Hercule Poirot, refining its approach to capture the essence of the character. After the success of its predecessor, will Death on the Nile deliver the Belgian’s most compelling case yet?

Separating itself from the novel, the game shifts from the 1930s to the funky ’70s. The luxurious cruise liner has received a full makeover, adorned with brown and orange tones accented by vivid greens and reds that perfectly capture the era’s flair. Not only does this give the story a fresh aesthetic, but it also broadens its appeal by shedding some of the upper-class sophistication synonymous with the original setting. While this change may upset purists, I found the new approach to this classic tale both bold and refreshing.

Bon Voyage!

Another major departure from the source material is the introduction of a second protagonist, Jane. Her story and motives differ from Poirot’s, adding another layer to the narrative. Although the core plot remains, a disastrous murder aboard a beautiful ship sailing the Nile, the investigation unfolds differently. Jane is pursuing an assassin, and her path soon intertwines with Poirot’s, forcing the two to work together to uncover the truth. This inclusion of Jane and her narrative thread gives a classic story a welcome and engaging twist.

There’s a lovely, methodical pace to the gameplay that lets you truly sink into the story. You’ll need to speak with and question the people around you to learn more about the situation and piece together the narrative. Each interaction feeds into an ever-growing mind map that cleverly tracks your progress, guiding you toward your next lead. After a thorough investigation, you can connect clues to draw conclusions and resolve each narrative thread. Not only does this capture the feeling of embodying the literary icon himself, but it also serves as an excellent recap 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.

The Little Grey Cells

There are a variety of puzzles to solve throughout your investigation. In addition to conversations where you can call out lies and uncover the truth, you’ll also face more traditional challenges, such as picking locks, repairing a jukebox, or even rearranging luggage to make everything fit in the trunk of a car. These moments create a calm, relaxing pace that makes the game great to enjoy with others. Discussing ideas and working together offers a fresh, collaborative twist on the experience. Also, with multiple difficulty options and a helpful hint system, everything leads to a stress-free and engaging adventure.

When concluding a mystery, you replay events, placing characters at key points in order to determine exactly what happened. As this links to each stage of your investigation, there’s a satisfying sense of achievement when piecing the puzzle together. Upon completion, you can watch the events unfold, then accuse the culprit, bringing the entire investigation to a rewarding and dramatic close.

A Moment in Time

The game embraces a stylised aesthetic that gives it a distinct sense of character. Moving away from the more conventional design of its peers proves to be a smart choice. The bright colour palette and Telltale-esque character models, paired with a strong soundtrack, create an engaging and memorable presentation. Unfortunately, stiff animations and static environments hold it back slightly, making the experience feel a little dated.

Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile is a smart and thoughtful reimagining of the classic novel. The shift to the 1970s and the addition of a new protagonist breathe fresh life into a familiar tale. While the gameplay conforms to genre conventions, its mechanics are executed with care, resulting in an engaging and intriguing adventure that keeps you invested from start to finish. Despite some stiff animations and occasional pacing issues, this remains a grand journey, and one of Poirot’s finest outings in the medium.

***Switch code provided by the publisher***