Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express

 


Critical Reception

  • Metacritic score hovers around 60/100, indicating mixed or average reviews overall. Similarly, GameRankings reports 65.22%. Wikipedia

  • Polygon criticizes the game’s modernization, suggesting it undermines the classic charm of Hercule Poirot and feels like a misguided reinterpretation of the detective's essence. Polygon

  • Monster Critic summarizes the critical consensus:

    • Strengths: Classic point-and-click elements, investigation tools, and immersive puzzles.

    • Weaknesses: Repetitive gameplay, shallow mechanics, and lack of innovation. Graphical reactions are mixed—some praise detailed period environments, while others find them underwhelming. MonsterCritic

  • Wikipedia details common complaints: many tasks feel tedious (“secretarial”), like collecting fingerprints or checking shoe sizes; the inventory interface adds unnecessary friction, though puzzle integration is sometimes praised for being plot-aligned. Wikipedia

Summary Table

ElementNotes
Overall RatingMixed/average critical response (~60/100)
GameplayEngaging detective tools, but repetitive errands and shallow mechanics
Inventory SystemDivisive—some find it intuitive, others find it tedious
PuzzlesIntegrated into the story and moderately satisfying
Tone & SettingModernized version feels disconnected from Christie’s original vision
GraphicsOpinions vary—some detailed, others bland and uninspired

Player Feedback

Steam Reviews

  • All-time: Very Positive (≈85%) with 788 reviews Steam Store

  • Recent (last 30 days): Mostly Positive (≈72%) with 18 reviews Steam Store

Community Impressions

From r/agathachristie and other forums:

“I thought it was okay, but the walking all over did take up a good chunk of time. It did seem pretty repetitive as well at times… I went on to play Murder on the Orient Express and it was much better.”
— Discussing comparison with prior titles Reddit

"It was TEDIOUS. I don't even remember the final result and don't even caaaaare."
— On pacing and player engagement Reddit

These sentiments suggest that while some players appreciate the concept and mystery, many find the physical and narrative pacing slow and occasionally disengaging.

Final Thoughts

Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express is a visually decent attempt at adapting a beloved classic into an interactive experience. It shines with its investigation mechanics and respect for source material. That said, the modern setting, repetitive fetch-like tasks, and interface quirks may leave mystery purists feeling underwhelmed.

Who might enjoy it:

  • Fans of casual detective games who enjoy atmospheric visuals and classic puzzle integration.

  • Players looking for a relaxed, story-driven experience without high difficulty.

Who might not:

  • Players expecting a deeply immersive or innovative Poirot experience.

  • Fans who expect meticulous adaptation of Christie's original tone, style, and era.


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