Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case: Review

This game was reviewed on the Xbox Series X.

Reviewed by: David Cameron

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot: The London Case, available on the Xbox Series X, is a game that promises to immerse players in the world of one of literature's most famous detectives. As a fan of both the mystery genre and the brilliant mind of Hercule Poirot, I was eager to don my virtual detective hat and delve into the game. While it does offer some intriguing puzzles and mysteries, the overall experience is marred by its visually unimpressive character designs. In this review, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of Hercule Poirot: The London Case.

Graphics and Visuals: Hercule Poirot: The London Case falls short in the visual department, particularly when it comes to character designs. The game's environments, which attempt to capture the essence of 1920s London, are passable but lack the detail and polish expected from a modern gaming experience.

However, it is the character designs that stand out in the worst way possible. The characters in Hercule Poirot look like they belong in a wax museum rather than a video game. Their stiff and lifeless appearances, complete with exaggerated facial features and unconvincing animations, are a constant distraction that pulls players out of the otherwise immersive world of the game. It's a shame because the world of Agatha Christie's mysteries is rich and ripe for exploration, but the characters fail to do justice to the source material.

Gameplay and Puzzles: One of the redeeming qualities of Hercule Poirot: The London Case is its puzzle design. The game presents players with a series of intriguing and challenging puzzles that require logical thinking and attention to detail. From deciphering cryptic notes to piecing together timelines of events, the puzzles are a highlight that keeps players engaged and eager to uncover the truth behind the mysteries.

The investigative gameplay, where you assume the role of the legendary detective Hercule Poirot, offers a sense of immersion as you collect evidence, interview witnesses, and deduce the culprits behind the crimes. These mechanics pay homage to Agatha Christie's detective novels and provide a satisfying sense of progression.

Story and Narrative: The game captures the essence of Agatha Christie's storytelling, offering a compelling narrative with multiple cases to solve. The plot twists and turns, and the sense of intrigue, are in line with the author's signature style. For fans of Hercule Poirot and mystery novels, the narrative will likely be a welcome aspect of the game.

However, the impact of the storytelling is hampered by the aforementioned character designs. It's challenging to become emotionally invested in the characters and their fates when they look like lifeless dolls. This visual dissonance detracts from the otherwise engaging narratives and compromises the overall immersion.

Conclusion: Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot: The London Case is a game with potential, offering challenging puzzles and captivating mysteries. However, its lackluster character designs significantly hinder the experience, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the world of Hercule Poirot. While the game does justice to Agatha Christie's storytelling, it fails to do justice to her characters.

In summary, Hercule Poirot: The London Case is a game that will likely appeal to die-hard fans of Agatha Christie's mysteries but will leave others frustrated by its visual shortcomings. The puzzles and narratives are commendable, but the uncanny valley-like character designs ultimately make this title a less-than-satisfying experience for the discerning gamer.

Reviewed by: David Cameron