Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot – The London Case

Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot – The London Case is a graphic adventure game where players step into the shoes of the iconic Belgian detective. Set in London, the game challenges players to solve a complex mystery by investigating crime scenes, collecting clues, interrogating suspects, and solving intricate puzzles. Developed by Blazing Griffin Ltd and released in 2023, the game features a 2D scrolling perspective, direct control interface, and a narrative deeply rooted in the classic Agatha Christie crime and detective genre, taxing players’ ‘little gray cells’ to apprehend the culprit.

Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot – The London Case: Review

A new case for the world’s most famous detective arrives, but does it engage the little grey cells or leave them wanting? This is an in-depth investigation.

Introduction

The name Hercule Poirot conjures images of meticulous deduction, artful mustaches, and the intricate unraveling of the human heart’s darkest secrets. For decades, the beloved Agatha Christie character has been a mainstay of adaptations across film, television, and, notably, video games. In 2023, developer Blazing Griffin and publisher Microids presented players with a new chapter: Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot – The London Case. Positioned as a follow-up to their well-received The First Cases, this title promised a return to the classic point-and-click adventure format with a brand-new, original story. Our thesis, after a thorough examination of the evidence, is that The London Case is a competent but fundamentally flawed investigation. It delivers a serviceable, accessible mystery for newcomers yet is hampered by a distinct lack of polish, technical shortcomings, and a narrative that fails to fully capture the genius of its source material, ultimately rendering it a middling entry in the detective’s storied digital career.

Development History & Context

The London Case is the product of a specific and established partnership. Scottish developer Blazing Griffin, having cut their teeth on the Poirot franchise with 2021’s The First Cases, returned to the scene of the crime. Their prior work demonstrated a clear understanding of the adventure game framework and a reverence for Christie’s characters, providing a solid foundation upon which to build. Publisher Microids SA has carved a niche for itself as a modern purveyor of narrative-driven adventure games, often leveraging beloved licenses like Agatha Christie and Syberia.

Crucially, this game was not developed under the significant technological constraints of the early 2000s Christie games but with the modern Unity engine. This context is vital; the expectations are consequently higher. The gaming landscape of 2023 is one where narrative adventures have seen a magnificent resurgence, with titles like Disco Elysium and the Life is Strange series raising the bar for writing, player agency, and presentation. Against this backdrop, a new Poirot game cannot rely solely on the strength of its license. It must compete, offering a compelling world to explore and puzzles that feel integrated and intelligent. The developers’ vision, as inferred from the final product, appears to have been to create a more accessible, streamlined adventure that honors the classic point-and-click tradition while avoiding the infamous “moon logic” pitfalls of the genre’s past. However, the use of a capable modern engine makes the game’s noted technical failings all the more conspicuous.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The game presents an original story, a prequel of sorts that sees a younger, less established Hercule Poirot tasked with escorting a valuable painting aboard a ferry from Belgium to London for a grand exhibition. Naturally, the painting is stolen, launching Poirot—and his eager new assistant, Arthur Hastings—into a web of intrigue involving a wealthy family, a dubious art dealer, and various other suspects with motives to conceal.

The narrative structure follows a familiar and comfortable rhythm: crime, investigation, interviews, deduction, and revelation. The dialogue aims for Christie’s style, with Poirot’s particular cadence and egotism present, if not always perfectly pitched. The inclusion of Hastings as a point-of-view character for the player is a smart choice, allowing Poirot to explain his reasoning and making the player feel like an active participant in the investigation rather than merely controlling the master detective himself.

However, the critical consensus, from sources like Adventure Game Hotspot (65%) and Nintendo Life (60%), indicates a fundamental weakness in the core mystery itself. While Adventure Gamers (90%) praised its logical motives, others found it lacking the “tricksy, interweaving motives and relationships” of Christie’s best work. The plot is described as “entirely entertaining” but not fully satisfying, a case that feels more like a filler episode than a classic novel. The themes of greed, deception, and familial discord are present but are explored with a surface-level depth that fails to plumb the psychological depths Christie was renowned for. It is a perfectly functional mystery, but it lacks the jaw-dropping twist and profound character work that defines the greatest Poirot tales.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The London Case is a traditional third-person point-and-click adventure. The core gameplay loop is straightforward and classic: explore environments, collect items, converse with suspects to gather information, and combine clues in Poirot’s “mind map” to form logical deductions and advance the story.

The mind map system is the central mechanical pillar. Players must physically connect related clues and statements on a virtual board to form new ideas and hypotheses. This is a tangible and largely effective way to visualize Poirot’s famous deductive process. It makes the player feel smart as they draw connections, and as Adventure Gamers notes, the game is forgiving, allowing players to correct mistakes without penalty. This contributes significantly to its accessibility, making it a potential gateway for genre newcomers.

Beyond this, the gameplay is standard fare. Puzzles are largely environmental and inventory-based, though some reviews, such as that from Nintendo Life, point out that progress is “not always logical,” suggesting some puzzles may suffer from unclear signposting or unintuitive solutions. The interface is described as simple and direct, though the controls—especially on consoles—can feel clunky compared to a traditional mouse-driven point-and-click.

The game lacks any form of combat or complex character progression; it is a pure adventure game in the old-school mold. While this will be a positive for purists, critics like PlayStation Universe (60%) found it “unambitious” and potentially too simplistic for “practiced video game sleuths” accustomed to more systemic depth. It is a streamlined, arguably safe, approach to gameplay that prioritizes narrative pacing over mechanical innovation.

World-Building, Art & Sound

This is where The London Case faces its most severe criticism and its most divisive reception. Built in Unity, the game presents a colourful, cartoonish 3D world. The art direction aims for a stylized, almost caricature-like representation of 1930s London.

Unfortunately, the execution is consistently cited as a major drawback. The character models are repeatedly described as emotionless and, at times, unsettling. Gamer’s Palace (64%) referred to them directly as “emotionslose, teilweise gruselige Charaktere” (emotionless, partly creepy characters). Animations are stiff and often lack the polish needed to convey nuance in conversation. This creates a stark dissonance; we are listening to a tale of human passion and crime, but the characters’ faces are frozen masks.

The environments, while adequately representing locations like galleries and mansions, also draw criticism for a lack of atmosphere. Gamer’s Palace further noted the absence of “Londoncharme,” failing to capture the distinctive mood and character of its setting. It feels like a generic European city backdrop rather than a living, breathing version of Christie’s London.

The sound design receives less direct criticism, with Poirot’s voice acting likely being a highlight for fans. However, the technical performance, especially on the Nintendo Switch, is a significant issue. Nintendo Life specifically highlighted “loading times” as “a real problem,” severely impacting the pacing of investigation. Overall, the presentation fails to elevate the experience and, in many ways, actively detracts from it, preventing players from becoming fully immersed in the world.

Reception & Legacy

Upon its release in late August 2023, The London Case received a lukewarm critical reception, reflected in its MobyScore of 6.7 and an average critic rating of 65%. The reviews were a spectrum of measured appreciation and pointed disappointment. Praise was reserved for its accessible gameplay and solid core mystery structure, while criticism was overwhelmingly focused on its technical deficiencies, lackluster presentation, and a story that didn’t quite meet the high bar set by its literary inspiration.

Commercially, it appears to have performed modestly, finding its audience among die-hard Christie fans and adventure game enthusiasts willing to overlook its flaws, especially when purchased on a deep discount—a recommendation explicitly made by reviewers at 3rd Strike (62%) and Phenixx Gaming (40%).

Its legacy will likely be that of a missed opportunity. It follows a proven formula but fails to refine or advance it in any meaningful way. In the broader context of the adventure genre and Microids’ own catalogue, it stands as a less accomplished successor to The First Cases and a far cry from the landmark status of games like The ABC Murders. It demonstrates the enduring appeal of the detective genre but also serves as a cautionary tale that a beloved license is not enough; execution is paramount. Its influence will be negligible, though it may encourage Blazing Griffin to invest more heavily in the presentation and technical polish of any future entries.

Conclusion

Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot – The London Case is a difficult game to definitively condemn or recommend. At its heart, there is a functional and occasionally engaging mystery adventure game that successfully mimics the structure of a Christie novel. The deduction system is satisfying, and the accessibility is a genuine strength.

However, the experience is consistently undermined by its lack of polish. The emotionless character models, technical hiccups, and a setting devoid of charm create a barrier between the player and the story. The narrative, while serviceable, lacks the brilliance and depth expected from the Poirot name.

Therefore, the final verdict is one of qualified recommendation. For absolute devotees of Hercule Poirot or players seeking the most undemanding entry point into point-and-click adventures, it may provide a few hours of diversion—but only on a substantial sale. For all others, there are simply more compelling investigations to be found elsewhere, both within the Agatha Christie video game canon and in the wider world of narrative adventures. It is not a bad game, but in the court of critical opinion, the evidence overwhelmingly points to a case of unfulfilled potential.