Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express" Fastest Review! A classic mystery novel turned into a full-fledged mystery adventure that can be enjoyed by novice and heavy users alike!

Originally published in 1934 by Agatha Christie, the great mystery novelist, "Murder on the Orient Express" is a historical hit of mystery fiction that has never ceased to be popular among mystery novel fans and has been enjoyed by a wide audience. It has been made into a number of films, and some people might more easily understand it if it were called one of the "Detective Poirot" series of dramas.

The game adaptation of this world-famous work has come 90 years after the publication of the original novel! A game based on this work was already released by another manufacturer in 2006, but this is the first game in which Poirot is controlled. Akiba Research Institute will review the game, which is the first attempt at such a game in the history of this work!

The main character's alter ego, the famous detective Poirot. He is a nice middle-aged man who is proud of his mustache.

The main plot is based on the original story, but the details have been boldly rearranged!

The synopsis of the game version of "Murder on the Orient Express" is as follows.

After finishing his work, the famous detective Hercule Poirot is on his way back to England on the Orient Express from Istanbul to Calais. It was supposed to be an elegant journey on a luxurious passenger train, but the Orient Express is caught in a heavy snowstorm and gets stuck in the mountains surrounded by snow. A murder occurs in such a locked room situation. With every passenger having an alibi, Poirot must find the real murderer before the next victim appears.

This is the Orient Express, the setting for this story.

An avalanche cuts the tracks, and the Orient Express is stranded in the mountains with no cell phone reception

Those who are already familiar with this work through other media may think, "Oh, it's the same story as usual," but the interesting thing about this game version is that the period setting has been rearranged to 2023. However, the game version is set in 2023, which means that some of the gadgets and the reasoning itself will be completely different.

Smartphones can be an important item.

Flames on social networking sites create victims. It's a very modern element.

The inclusion of modern elements such as smartphones and SNS will allow those who are familiar with past works to enjoy the story with a fresh feeling, and younger users who are new to this game will be able to play it without feeling old-fashioned. This is a nice and wise decision.

The new character Joanna. There are many recollection scenes in which she is controlled.

Another key point is that the game features the kidnapping and murder of Lady Daisy Armstrong, which is depicted in the original novel as a prequel to the original case. In delving into this episode, which is also an important part of the original novel, another new character, Joanna, a detective original to the game, makes an appearance. In the part where you control her, you will relive the case that once took place.

Someone has kidnapped Daisy, and Joanna is on the hunt for her.

The inclusion of Joanna's part is exquisite and not only adds depth to the new "Murder on the Orient Express" world, but also adds a nice touch to the game, which basically takes place on the train, and thus lacks visual variety.

Let's put new information on the board to track down Daisy's kidnapper and murderer!

In this way, the core of the original story is firmly maintained, but as a work to be released in 2023. The game has also been rearranged for the game medium, which is one of the appealing points of this title.

A challenging mystery and playability coexist!

Upon touching the game, it is clear that this game is a more rigorous mystery adventure game than one might expect.
The player basically controls Poirot and collects information on the train. The player then uses the information gathered to make deductions and begin the next part of the story.

Sometimes new information is obtained by restoring torn photos. Every object can be a clue to solving the case.

When investigating on the train, walk around the train all over and focus on the checkpoints that interest you. The goal is to find information.
At this time, there are also mini-games and gimmicks to exploit. The level of difficulty is exquisite, and you will always have to use your head a little, but if you are a little careful, you will find a clue somewhere on the screen that will lead you to the solution. The feeling of finding a clue, and the sense of "I am making progress toward the solution, one step at a time! The feeling of "I am making progress toward the solution step by step!

Sometimes it is necessary to coax information out of panicked passengers.

Sometimes it is necessary to get information from conversations with passengers, but it is difficult because they do not always tell the truth due to various reasons. Therefore, players need to use the information they have gathered so far to find out if the other party is lying. This "confrontation scene" is quite tense.

Let's break down the alibi by pointing out inconsistencies in the other party's statements!

Next, the player must make deductions based on the information gathered. In the deduction part, you will have to combine clues and make Poirot deduce the correct answer, just like solving a puzzle game. Again, in addition to the information gathered so far, a little inspiration on the part of the player is often required.

The deduction part of the game can be enjoyed like a puzzle game.

In this way, the game is a perfect balance of stillness and movement, with the accumulation of steady information gathering and sometimes investigations based on bold ideas and deductions. This slow and steady motion gives the game a driving feel.
The nice thing about this is that even if you choose the wrong option, the game is basically not over. Even if you choose the wrong option, the game is not over. Poirot will stop you with a line like, "Think about it, this is not right. In other words, you can try and error as many times as you want until you reach the correct answer, which is a great system.

If you still can't solve the puzzle, release the hints!

Also, if you still do not know the answer, you can release hints, which will gradually lead you to the correct answer. Those who prefer to play on their own at all costs do not need to release hints, of course.
This attitude of not giving up on the user, which is thoroughly implemented throughout the game, will be a great help to those who are not good at adventure games or those who are playing the game for the first time. It's like the production side's determination to "make sure you enjoy this game to the end!" The game also ensures a sense of accomplishment by having the player complete the tasks on his or her own in the end, even while providing a lot of help.

The game is exquisitely balanced so that everyone can play with the feeling of being Poirot.

It may be worth mentioning the hospitality with which the game responds to various conditions, such as players' skill level, age, and familiarity with the game.

A "mind map" that organically organizes information and helps with reasoning

Another tool I would like to mention is the "mind map," which allows you to list the flow of reasoning that develops in Poirot's brain.

In the car, where multiple incidents and events are unfolding, Poirot conducts his investigations and deductions simultaneously. However, as more information is gathered, these multiple mysteries converge on a single answer. The "Mind Map" visualizes this process.

It is easy to see at a glance which event is related to which other event.

As you go through the story, you may understand the situation you are facing now, but the process leading up to it may be lost in your memory, or you may not be able to look back on past information even though the story has progressed without fully understanding the cause-and-effect relationships. In this work, however, the problem can be solved to some extent by looking at the "mind map".
I am convinced that smart people organize information in this way and think about things by organically linking them together.

The deduction part is indicated by an orange icon. When this is cleared, the next development proceeds.

Once the information has been organized to some extent in the mind map, you can start deducing. Here, as mentioned earlier, you will connect information to arrive at a single answer, just like in a puzzle game. This fun can only be found in games. When the player successfully arrives at the answer, Poirot himself will praise the player, giving him a great sense of accomplishment.

Poirot will praise you when you successfully deduce the answer. If you are the type of player who thrives on praise, you will love it!

Sometimes you can rely on your intuition, but sometimes a detective also needs a flash of inspiration! So, in such cases, it is a good idea to be bold and choose an answer you believe in!

If you don't want to rely on your intuition, you can choose to continue the investigation steadily.

Unique passengers add to the story

Since the interaction with the passengers is the core of the story, the characters are also very unique. First of all, the main character, Hercule Poirot, is quite a curmudgeon. He is not only a nice guy, but also a good actor who sometimes deceives others to solve a case, and sometimes bluffs and shakes them.

Poirot's room is filled with items to take care of his mustache.

Perhaps it is this human side that makes him so appealing, as he shows an unusual obsession with his prized mustache.

And the passengers on the train are also strong characters!

Whenever a new character appears, Poirot, who has an occupational disease that causes him to observe people first

A smelly businessman and his secretaries. A middle-aged man, a British veteran, and a woman who has an unusual relationship with him. A Russian aristocrat in exile in France. A Hungarian diplomat and his young wife who is protecting him from having too much contact with the case. A private detective who has been asked by the victim of the case to escort him. The detective who was comatose in the bathroom after being drugged with excessive sleeping pills, and so on... The profiles alone are enough to fill your stomach.
Interaction with them is also an attraction of this film.

Bouck, who trusts Poirot for some reason. In a way, he's a healing character.

Personally, Boog, a friend of Poirot and an executive of the company that operates the Orient Express, impresses me as a lovable character. He has a sense of small things in a good way, and his words and actions that slightly lighten the atmosphere in the company, which might otherwise be serious, make me smile every time I see him. However, he is a bit annoying when he keeps rushing Poirot nonstop during the deduction scenes, so I wish he would be more patient with that! (Poirot actually told me to "shut up" during the game.)

The realistically crafted Orient Express

This is a very challenging adventure game, but we would also like to push for a sightseeing experience that allows you to freely roam around inside the luxurious train.

A restaurant that looks like it might serve a delicious dinner

A bar where trendy music is always playing in the background

The interior of the Orient, where celebrities board the train, is so gorgeous that it is hard to believe it is a train. Not only the passenger cabins, but also the lounge, bar, restaurant, and other facilities that are important for enjoying a long journey have been realistically created using computer graphics. I would love to actually travel around Europe on a passenger train like this.

The rooms are also luxurious. Although the rooms are compact, you can imagine that you can enjoy a comfortable trip.

If you are a traveler or train enthusiast, you may enjoy just walking around the train and imagining how you would like to spend your trip in this train.

For some reason, gold mustaches have fallen all over the train. When Poirot found it, he was overjoyed!

Incidentally, "golden mustaches" are sometimes found in the train. It is not an item that is particularly necessary for the strategy, but there may be some nice bonus if you complete it as an element of game-like challenge. Even after clearing the game once, you may want to play it again and again to comple this golden mustache.

In this way, the game version of "Murder on the Orient Express" is a thoroughly crafted mystery adventure game that brings out the best of the original story while ensuring a pleasant gaming experience for everyone. Especially around the middle of the game, when you get used to the game controls and the case starts to move, you will find it hard to find a time to stop the game. The sense that the mystery calls for more mystery, and the fun accelerates, can be said to be the power of the original work. You can either let yourself be carried away by the fun of the game and conquer it all at once, or you can enjoy it at your own pace by playing a little bit each day. You can enjoy this work in your own way just as you would enjoy a mystery novel.

• Title Information
• Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express
• Release date: January 25, 2024
• Compatibility: PlayStation5 (package version and download version)
• PlayStation4 (downloadable version)
• Nintendo Switch (downloadable version)
• Price: 5,280 yen (tax included)
• Genre: Adventure
• Publisher: 3goo Inc.
• Product page: #

(C) 2023 Microids SA and Agatha Christie Limited. All rights reserved. Published by Microids SA. Murder On The Orient Express (C) 1934 Agatha Christie Limited. All rights reserved. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, AGATHA CHRISTIE, POIROT, the Agatha Christie Signature and the AC Monogram Logo are registered trademarks of Agatha Christie Limited in the UK and elsewhere. Published. and distributed by 3goo K.K. in Japan.