The story of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile is iconic. It is one of her more famous works, spawning numerous films and adaptations. It is fairly obvious that Microids’ Studio Lyon would adapt it in one of their games in the popular Agatha Christie/Hercule Poirot series. This version, like the previous game, Murder on the Orient Express, takes a few liberties with its time period and plot, but wraps everything up in an interesting tale of intrigue and (of course) murder.

In Death on the Nile, you play as Hercule Poirot as he investigates the titular murder. However, this game contains not just one protagonist and storyline, but two. You also play as Jane Royce, a fan of Hercule Poirot and a private detective in her own right. Jane and Hercule have individual storylines that eventually collide. Even more exciting is that the storyline of Death on the Nile progresses past the story of Agatha Christie’s book, offering a whole new case afterward that provides even more intrigue.

The basic gameplay loop is simple, very similar to previous games. You talk to possible suspects and other NPCs, then use the mind map to make connections. You can also uncover clues by exploring environments and filling out character profiles as you collect information.

Hidden throughout each area is a set of Golden Moustaches. There are varying numbers of these moustaches in each chapter, offering an extra incentive to explore carefully. Some of them are very well hidden, and I had a hard time completely finding every single one in each chapter.

The new element in this entry in the series, though, is a sort of live recreation mechanic where you can follow the timeline of each crime. You’ll have to put characters in place, making sure you recreate the timeline properly to uncover who was the perpetrator of the crime.

The Mind Map is also enhanced from previous entries, being a bit more dynamic and easier to parse. It only displays certain clues on the board, so you aren’t overwhelmed with choices. This does make some parts of the investigations feel a little bit obtuse at times, but overall, it is a much more streamlined and easier to understand experience.

I didn’t think I would like the change in time period as much as I do. However, using the 1970s as a backdrop for the main story (as well as the cases that weave into it) fits incredibly well. The dual protagonist setup works a little better than it did with Murder on the Orient Express, since Jane Royce is a more fleshed-out character than the other protagonist for Murder on the Orient Express.

Overall, despite the typical Studio Lyon obtuse puzzle jank here and there, you can’t go wrong with Death on the Nile. It is a solid mystery that weaves multiple storylines into one great tale that adds onto what Agatha Christie created. If you liked the other games, give this one a try.

A PC Review copy of Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile was provided by Microids Studio Lyon for the purposes of this review.

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Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile

$39.99

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Interesting Storyline
• Fun Investigation Elements
• New story paths that enhance the original tale

Cons

• Obtuse Puzzle Elements