Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express is a classic point-and-click adventure that puts you in the shoes of Antoinette Marceau, the Orient Express employee seconded to assist Hercule Poirot. You navigate richly detailed train cars and cabins entirely with the mouse, selecting hotspots, interacting with suspects and gathering inventory items. The core loop revolves around finding clues, using or combining inventory objects, and conducting repeated interviews to unravel alibis. A built-in scoring system tracks your progress, rewarding thorough investigation and clever deductions.

Puzzles are woven seamlessly into the narrative, ranging from a jigsaw layout of the train’s route to a cryptic combination safe and an ornate puzzle box requiring careful observation. Unique mechanics such as “shadowing” suspects—trailing them unnoticed—and eavesdropping on whispered conversations add layers to traditional inventory puzzles. These stealth-style sequences break up the dialogue-heavy sections and reinforce the feeling that every passenger aboard could be hiding a secret.

Difficulty is tunable: in Challenge mode, Poirot offers only minimal guidance, leaving you to piece together the mystery largely on your own. Cooperative mode, by contrast, unlocks more frequent hints and reasoning prompts from Poirot himself, ideal for newcomers to adventure gaming or those less confident in their deductive skills. Either way, the balance of investigation, puzzle solving and dialogue creates a compelling pacing that keeps you engaged from Istanbul to Paris.

Graphics

The game’s aesthetic faithfully recreates the glamorous 1930s era with meticulously rendered train interiors, art deco fixtures and period-accurate costumes. Pre-rendered backgrounds combined with real-time 3D character models lend a cinematic feel to each compartment—whether it’s the opulent dining car, the plush lounge or the snowy Alpine tunnel during the avalanche sequence. Subtle lighting effects and detailed texture work heighten the sense of place, transporting you back to a golden age of rail travel.

Character portraits and animations vary in fidelity, but vocal performances are consistently strong. David Suchet’s portrayal of Poirot is a highlight: his voice carries the right blend of wit, authority and subtle humor. Close-up dialogue scenes feel intimate, though some facial animations can appear stiff by modern standards. Nonetheless, the overall presentation remains polished and evocative, especially when suspect cutscenes slide seamlessly into the next interrogation.

User interface elements stay out of the way, with a clean inventory bar and clear icons for examining items or initiating conversations. Pop-up dialog boxes and journal entries are easy to read and navigate, ensuring that note-taking and clue-cross-referencing never become cumbersome. While some background textures may show their age, the game’s visual strengths lie in its cohesive art direction and period authenticity.

Story

This adaptation stays true to Agatha Christie’s masterful whodunit, beginning with Samuel Ratchett’s ominous request for Poirot’s protection and culminating in the shocking discovery of his murder. As Antoinette Marceau, you witness the desperation of a train stranded by an avalanche and the ensuing panic among passengers. The narrative unfurls through a web of interviews, secretive behaviors and conflicting alibis, maintaining a steady undercurrent of tension throughout the journey.

Each suspect has a distinct personality, backstory and motive, from the taciturn Countess to the flamboyant writer and the soft-spoken governess. Dialogue choices influence how much they reveal, and careful observation of their body language can tip you off to inconsistencies. Plus, the game features multiple endings that diverge from Christie’s original conclusion, rewarding repeat playthroughs with fresh revelations and alternative motives.

Voice acting and scriptwriting capture the period’s manners and speech patterns, with occasional injections of dry humor courtesy of Poirot’s trademark vanity and incisive wit. Pacing is generally well-balanced, alternating between calm investigative scenes and moments of suspense when clues click into place. Minor slowdowns can occur during lengthy dialogue exchanges, but these are offset by satisfying “aha” moments as you piece together the truth.

Overall Experience

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express offers an enchanting blend of story-driven gameplay, polished visuals and intriguing puzzles, making it a standout for fans of detective adventures. The immersive train setting, bolstered by authentic art direction and memorable voice work, delivers a nostalgic journey through a golden era of mystery. Whether you’re guiding Poirot’s brilliance or tackling the challenge solo, the game rewards careful attention and logical thinking.

While a few dated animations and occasional pixel-hunt moments may frustrate modern players, the inclusion of Cooperative mode with extra hints helps mitigate potential roadblocks. Replayability is high thanks to branching endings, secret items to uncover and score-based achievements for completionists. Ultimately, the game strikes a satisfying balance between intellectual challenge and theatrical flair.

For anyone seeking a faithful, atmospheric adaptation of Christie’s famed novel or a well-crafted adventure filled with puzzles and intrigue, Murder on the Orient Express remains a compelling purchase. Step aboard the legendary train, don your deerstalker hat and prepare to unravel one of literature’s most enduring mysteries.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10