Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express (Deluxe Edition)

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express (Deluxe Edition) is a 2023 adventure game that places the legendary detective Hercule Poirot aboard the famed train, where he must unravel a murder mystery among a cast of secretive passengers. The Deluxe Edition adds extra content such as the original soundtrack, detective avatars, a digital artbook, and wallpapers, offering a faithful yet expanded retelling of Agatha Christie’s classic tale with modern twists and flashback sequences featuring a new character, Joanna Locke.

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express (Deluxe Edition): Review

---

Introduction

The Orient Express has long been a symbol of luxury, intrigue, and the ultimate locked‑room mystery. Agatha Christie’s 1934 classic Murder on the Orient Express has been re‑imagined countless times in film, theater, and literature, yet the 2023 video‑game adaptation marks the first attempt to bring the story into an interactive, modern setting. Developed by Microids Studio Lyon and released across all major platforms (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X, Switch), the Deluxe Edition bundles the game with a digital artbook, original soundtrack, and a nostalgic ticket bookmark.

Thesis: Murder on the Orient Express offers a lovingly faithful retelling of Christie’s masterpiece, enriched by new narrative layers and a polished auditory‑visual presentation, but its gameplay mechanics and modernization choices ultimately limit its impact as a timeless whodunit.

---

Development History & Context

Studio & Vision

• Microids SA published the title; development was led by Microids Studio Lyon, a French outfit known for narrative adventures such as the Syberia series.
• Artistic direction came from Cédric Peyravernay, whose résumé includes character work on Diablo IV, Prey, Dishonored 2 and Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots.
• The team set out to create a faithful‑but‑augmented adaptation, preserving the core plot while inserting modern elements (e.g., a 2023 timeline, a new playable detective Joanna Locke, and smartphone‑era references).

Technological Constraints & Platform Landscape

• Built on Unity, the game targets a wide hardware spectrum—from the low‑end Switch to high‑end PC/Console rigs. Minimum requirements (Intel i3, 6 GB RAM, GeForce GT 640) reflect a design focus on accessibility over cutting‑edge graphics.
• Released on 19 October 2023, the title entered a market saturated with detective experiences (e.g., Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, The Sinking City). Its contemporaries emphasized complex deduction systems, setting a high bar for narrative depth and puzzle sophistication.

Market Position

• The release coincided with an resurgence of Agatha Christie licensed games (e.g., Hercule Poirot – The First Cases, Death on the Nile).
• Microids leveraged the Deluxe Edition—including a 48‑page artbook and soundtrack—to appeal both to long‑time Christie fans and to newcomers seeking a “cozy” mystery experience.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot & Structure

• The core storyline mirrors the novel: Hercule Poirot boards the Orient Express from Istanbul to Paris, a murder occurs, and he must unmask the killer among a tapestry of aristocratic travelers.
• Joanna Locke, a new American detective, serves as a secondary protagonist. Her flashbacks, set primarily in the United States, provide narrative breathing room and expand the investigation beyond the train’s confines.

Characters & Dialogue

• The game retains Christie’s iconic ensemble—Bouc, Princess Dragomiroff, Ratchett, etc.—each rendered with distinct voice performances in English, German, and French.
• Dialogue is fully voiced, with many critics (e.g., GameSpew, Push Square) praising the expressive acting, while others (Polygon) note occasional stiffness and repetitive phrasing.

Themes & Modernization

• Outsider Identity: Poirot’s status as a Belgian expatriate remains central, though his modern 2023 incarnation wields a smartphone, prompting questions about data hygiene and contemporary relevance.
• Class & Xenophobia: The original interwar social critique is reframed through present‑day analogues (e.g., references to the Iraq War), but critics argue the substitution feels forced, diluting the novel’s historical weight.
• Moral Ambiguity: The game preserves the novel’s exploration of justice versus societal reputation, culminating in the legendary “one‑by‑one” confession twist. The added ending for Joanna Locke introduces a fresh moral dilemma, though reception is mixed regarding its necessity.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop

1. Exploration: Players navigate the train’s opulent cars in third‑person view, examining objects and gathering evidence.
2. Conversation & Interrogation: Dialogue trees allow questioning of each suspect; the game enforces a “collect‑all‑evidence” gate before progressing.
3. Puzzles & Object Manipulation: Scattered throughout each chapter are environmental puzzles (e.g., lock‑picking, sequence reconstruction).

Mind‑Map & Deduction System

• A mind‑map UI visualizes clues, suspects, and timelines. Players place evidence on nodes and trigger “workshops” (simple deductive mini‑games) to unlock new conclusions.
• Critics (Polygon) note the workshops feel overly simplistic (binary “good job!” feedback), undermining Poirot’s reputation for cerebral brilliance.

Dual‑Protagonist Mechanics

• Switching to Joanna Locke triggers flashback segments set outside the train, offering varied environments and additional clues.
• While this adds narrative breadth, the transition can feel disjointed, and Locke’s characterization is often deemed under‑developed compared to Poirot’s iconic presence.

UI & Accessibility

• The interface is point‑and‑click driven, with a clear inventory and clue‑journal.
• Accessibility is a strength: the game imposes no penalties for wrong deductions, catering to casual players and fans seeking a story‑driven experience. However, this lack of challenge is a point of contention for seasoned puzzle enthusiasts.

Innovations & Flaws

Innovation	Flaw
Fully voiced, multilingual dialogue; dynamic mind‑map	Over‑linear progression; mandatory evidence collection stalls narrative flow
New playable detective (Joanna Locke)	Insufficient depth, occasional “flashback fatigue”
Deluxe artbook & soundtrack	Dated graphics (stylized, not photorealistic) and stiff character animations
Optional “Detective Avatars” (Poirot & Joanna) for visual flair	Lack of fast‑travel, repetitive corridor walking

---

World‑Building, Art & Sound

Visual Direction

• The game opts for a colorful, stylized art style over photorealism, striking a balance between period elegance and modern UI clarity.
• Environments faithfully recreate the Orient Express’s luxurious cabins, dining car, and locomotive, with meticulous details (e.g., period‑accurate sink cabinets).
• However, character models exhibit limited facial animation, a point highlighted by reviewers who found expressions “stiff.”

Audio Design

• Original soundtrack (included in the Deluxe Edition) blends period‑appropriate orchestration with subtle modern motifs, enhancing tension during investigative moments.
• Voice acting is generally well‑received, particularly in English, where the performances capture Poirot’s quirks (“little grey cells”) and the diverse passenger personalities.

Atmospheric Contributions

• Ambient train noises, occasional clatter of wheels, and the muffled murmur of passengers create an immersive claustrophobic setting, mirroring the novel’s sense of inescapable tension.
• The synergy of visuals and audio makes the train feel like a living, breathing character—an essential ingredient for a mystery that thrives on confined spaces.

---

Reception & Legacy

Critical Overview

• Metacritic: Mixed/average (Metascore 64) based on 9 critic reviews.
• User Score: Generally favorable (8.0/10 on Metacritic; 83 % positive on Steam).
• Common praise: faithful adaptation, strong voice work, atmospheric design, enjoyable narrative for Christie fans.
• Frequent criticisms: oversimplified puzzles, linear progression, dated graphics, and a modern setting that feels at odds with Poirot’s historic identity.

Notable Reviews

• Polygon (7/10) praised the atmospheric train but lamented the “cheesy” modernizations (smartphone usage, anachronistic references).
• GameSpew (8/10) highlighted the “thrilling investigation” and solid voice acting.
• Push Square (7/10) appreciated the new content and setting, noting “small issues” that didn’t detract from overall enjoyment.
• The Games Machine (6/10) and PLAY (3/10) were more scathing, citing “timid attempt” and “lack of brilliance.”

Commercial Performance

• While exact sales figures are undisclosed, the game’s presence on Steam, GOG, and console storefronts—coupled with a robust user‑review count (945 Steam reviews)—suggests solid niche success, especially among Agatha Christie enthusiasts.

Influence & Legacy

• The title demonstrates a growing trend of literary adaptations that favor narrative fidelity over gameplay depth.
• It may inspire future developers to re‑examine classic whodunits with modern twists, but the mixed reception serves as a cautionary tale: altering a beloved period piece must preserve the thematic core, not merely overlay contemporary gadgets.

---

Conclusion

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express (Deluxe Edition) stands as a respectable, if imperfect, tribute to one of literature’s most celebrated mysteries. Its faithful storytelling, rich atmospheric design, and dual‑protagonist structure provide an engaging entry point for fans and newcomers alike. Yet, the simplified deduction system, overly linear progression, and questionable modernizations prevent it from achieving the depth and intrigue that the original novel so masterfully delivers.

Verdict: A solid, story‑driven adventure that shines brightest as a nostalgic homage; best recommended for those who value narrative immersion over challenging gameplay. In the annals of video‑game history, it will be remembered as a competent, if not groundbreaking, adaptation that kept the spirit of Agatha Christie alive on the rails of the 2020s.