If you’ve ever thought to yourself, ‘I wish I could solve murders while sitting on my couch in my pajamas,’ then Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders is here to cater to your dangerously specific desires. Based on Agatha Christie's novel (which I totally read… once), this game presents a delightful blend of crime-solving and clicking things with the power of the PlayStation 4. Buckle up, because we’re diving into this digital whodunit!
Gameplay consists chiefly of point-and-click mechanics, which is fancy speak for ‘you’ll be doing a lot of clicking… on things.’ You play as Hercule Poirot, a detective with a mustache so magnificent it could file a restraining order against mere mortals. Interacting with your environment often requires you to scour incredibly detailed environments for clues, and if you ever wanted to feel like a crime scene investigator in a small English town, boy, does this game give you that intimacy. As you progress, you'll discover the plot revolves around a mysterious murderer who taunts Poirot, and trying to figure out who this nefarious villain is is as easy as pie... unless you’ve never had pie. The plot carries some surprising twists, although keeping track of new names and where they fit into the puzzle is about as easy as solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded.
The graphics are good enough to let you know this is a game made in the 2010s and not caveman art. Colors are vibrant, and the environments are well-crafted to create a moody atmosphere. However, if you’re looking for photorealism, you might need to adjust your expectations closer to something like a slightly polished diorama. Characters animate with the grace of a dance recital thrown by your uncle after he’s had one too many at a wedding, and while it may not be cutting-edge, it serves its purpose. And let’s be real, it’s hard to look at Poirot's glorious mustache and say there’s anything wrong with the visuals when you’re mesmerized by that facial masterpiece.
In conclusion, Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders is a mixed bag of fun. It can satisfy puzzle enthusiasts and fans of Christie's work while providing enough charm to keep you entertained. Just be warned: you might find yourself clicking so much that you’ll wonder if you should consider a career in search and rescue due to your newfound investigative skills. With a score resting around 6.7 out of 10, it may not win Game of the Year anytime soon, but it’s definitely an engaging romp through mystery that will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Just remember to keep a snack handy; you’ll need the energy to unravel this case while tackling the critical question of whether Poirot or your home’s Wi-Fi is the true hero.