Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders

Agatha Christie - The ABC Murders is a satisfying point-and-click whodunit adventure with plenty of puzzles.

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"Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders" is a 3rd person perspective adventure game based on the classic novel, where players step into the shoes of the famous detective Hercule Poirot. As ABC's mysterious opponent, players must explore various crime scenes, gather evidence, and solve puzzles to reveal the murderer's identity. The game demands intelligence and quick wit to outsmart the cunning adversary.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 803 reviews

story178 positive mentions

stability37 negative mentions

Engaging storyline that closely follows Agatha Christie's novel, providing a satisfying mystery experience.
Charming art style and good voice acting, particularly for the character of Poirot.
Puzzles are enjoyable and provide a nice mix of challenge without being overly difficult.

Controls can be clunky and frustrating, making navigation and interactions tedious.
Game is very linear, with little room for player agency or failure, which may detract from the detective experience.
Some puzzles and mechanics feel repetitive, particularly the letter comparison tasks that are reused multiple times.

story
432 mentions
41 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story, based on Agatha Christie's classic "The ABC Murders," is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and intriguing twists. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, linearity, and gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like an interactive story than a challenging game. While fans of the original novel may find the adaptation enjoyable, those familiar with the source material might feel less surprised by the unfolding narrative.
- “The voice acting surprised me with how good it was and the storyline was intriguing the whole way through.”
- “With its captivating storyline, challenging puzzles, and impressive attention to detail, the game manages to keep players hooked from start to finish.”
- “The story is engaging and well-paced and like Agatha Christie's novels, will keep you guessing till the very end of who is the A.B.C.”
- “The story is terrible and boring.”
- “Honestly, I was in a bit of shock right away, when they show absolutely zero introduction, no atmosphere, no nothing. The intro is over in 30 seconds and you barely get anything to set up the story... it's as if they are expecting you to have seen the David Suchet series, so just substitute the presentation and storytelling yourself.”
- “However, the developers of this game decided to change the story so much that even if it still registers as basically the same story, it's so poorly written, and with so many unnecessary pieces added, that they managed to turn a great story into a terrible one.”
gameplay
191 mentions
20 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Gameplay in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it clunky and confusing, particularly criticizing the controls and the linear nature of the experience. While some enjoyed the mechanical puzzles and the investigative mechanics, others felt they were overly simplistic or frustrating, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, the game offers a casual point-and-click adventure feel, but suffers from a lack of polish and depth, making it less engaging for those seeking a more challenging gameplay experience.
- “Most of the mechanical puzzles are clever and challenging, but give you all of the information needed to solve them without being too obvious.”
- “As a very casual gamer who does not thrive under gameplay that requires a practiced hand and finesse but loves a good puzzle and a feeling of suspense, I loved this game.”
- “The gameplay is solid and works well pretty much throughout the game, providing a pleasant experience.”
- “Clunky and confusing gameplay, with controls that make traversing down the street a chore.”
- “The puzzles, if you even want to call them that, are incredibly simple and most of the gameplay is just clicking on things to acknowledge that you've seen them.”
- “The gameplay is rather slow and the storyline is very linear - you can't possibly get anything wrong, and there is no need for creative thinking to solve any mystery.”
graphics
188 mentions
47 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and cel-shaded visuals that evoke a charming atmosphere reminiscent of classic detective stories. However, some players criticize the low-detail models and stiff animations, which can hinder gameplay, particularly during character analysis. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered adequate and fitting for the game's aesthetic, they are not universally acclaimed, with opinions varying on their quality and execution.
- “The graphics, soundtrack, voice acting, and story are well done!”
- “The art style is stunning, but the point-and-click is sometimes clunky and slows down the gameplay a lot.”
- “An absolutely awesome game representation of a classic Agatha Christie novel... really beautiful art style and good narration, as well as accompanying puzzles and riddles.”
- “The parts where you have to examine a suspect and figure out certain characteristics are more difficult because the graphics aren't done well enough for that.”
- “A point and click game that could have been okay if it weren't for the god awful voice over and ugly cartoon graphics.”
- “The graphics are adequate for what they are supposed to do, but the game is riddled with glitches, some almost game-breaking, to the point that I could not get past one point without using a 'clue'.”
music
81 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and period-appropriate themes that enhance the detective vibe. While some noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive and lacks variety, others found it relaxing and fitting for the game's aesthetic. Overall, the music, along with the graphics and voice acting, contributes positively to the game's immersive experience.
- “The music is just about perfect.”
- “The music fit the mood and the game even included some subtle humor.”
- “The aesthetic is pleasing and the game's selection of music is well suited to the narrative.”
- “The music plays, Hercule sways a bit, but nothing else can be clicked on except from the pause menu to quit the game.”
- “The music is fine, although after some time it becomes repetitive.”
- “It's always the same music that plays and the puzzles and deductions feel random and not rewarding in the slightest.”
stability
39 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including freezing and game-breaking issues. While some users noted that they could work around certain glitches, the overall experience is marred by technical problems that detract from enjoyment. Despite a few players finding the game manageable, the consensus leans towards a frustratingly unstable experience that may hinder progress.
- “The game is old, but it runs great.”
- “The rest of the game wasn't buggy for me.”
- “I played the game 75% through, after which I can't progress further because it freezes, and nothing else can be pressed except for the pause button, which allows me to quit the game.”
- “The game glitches too much and crashes every 20 minutes or so of playtime; even after changing the settings to a lower version of Windows, it still crashes.”
- “The game is riddled with glitches, some almost game-breaking, to the point that I could not get past one point without using a clue, because it was asking me to answer the phone over and over again, but the phone wasn't ringing.”
atmosphere
26 mentions
50 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its visual appeal, engaging art style, and effective voice acting, which collectively evoke the elegance of Agatha Christie's world. While some players noted a lack of introductory context, the overall ambiance, complemented by fitting music and dialogue, successfully immerses players in a cozy, detective-themed experience reminiscent of classic adaptations. Despite minor criticisms regarding graphics, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a delightful choice for fans of the genre.
- “But the true star of the show is the atmosphere.”
- “However, for those who appreciate a captivating atmosphere and a meticulously crafted world, this game is a gem.”
- “The developers succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of the source material just right.”
- “Honestly, I was in a bit of shock right away when they show absolutely zero introduction, no atmosphere, no nothing. The intro is over in 30 seconds and you barely get anything to set up the story. It's as if they are expecting you to have seen the David Suchet series, so just substitute the presentation and storytelling yourself, and you can just engage in a bare-bones adventure game.”
- “There isn't a lot in the way of music, but what there is fits the atmosphere.”
- “The game is very reminiscent of the David Suchet Poirot films, so it has an atmosphere of elegance and style of 1930s England, marred only by the occasional murder!”
grinding
21 mentions
5 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, with many sections feeling repetitive and drawn out, particularly during puzzle-solving and exploration. While some enjoy the initial gameplay, the lack of engaging twists and the slow mechanics contribute to a sense of monotony, especially on subsequent playthroughs. Despite these criticisms, some still appreciate the game for its overall quality and interactive elements.
- “Contrary to most detective games, this one doesn't have a lot of twists and sudden revelations, which makes the first half of the game very tedious and unengaging.”
- “The game mechanics make it tedious (e.g., doing the exact same typewriter matching three times, once for each letter).”
- “While I enjoyed the interactive aspects, doing tedious things like walking to the car to leave instead of the game just loading into the next inevitable scene was a chore rather than a charm.”
replayability
19 mentions
32 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the variety of choices and the opportunity to collect achievements, many criticize the minimal impact of those choices on the narrative and the linear gameplay, leading to a generally low replay value. Despite its engaging story and aesthetics, the lack of significant differences in outcomes and the short playtime contribute to a perception of limited replayability.
- “Definitely replayable.”
- “Choices may not have long-term effects, but you can make a lot of choices, which is nice and makes it quite replayable.”
- “There is some replayability for all the achievements.”
- “The game's negative is pretty simple: the price for a rather short game with minimal replay value, unless you're really big on trophy collecting.”
- “No replayability really, which would be fine if this were a 10-20 hour game, but I completed it in 6 hours and that was taking my time on a slow weekend night.”
- “It's a shame that your choices don't really matter outside of achievements, because the replay value is very low; the slow gameplay and amount of cut-scenes also contribute to this.”
humor
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by awkward pauses, robotic voice acting, and amusing character interactions, particularly from Poirot, whose witty jabs and mispronunciations add to the comedic effect. Players appreciate the lighthearted banter and funny achievements, which enhance the overall engaging and cozy detective experience. While some technical aspects may detract from the humor, the clever writing and entertaining dialogue keep players invested and amused.
- “Great storyline, gameplay, and funny characters.”
- “Poirot's little jab at Sherlockian detective work made me laugh.”
- “The voice acting was pretty good, and the script was excellent; there were some very funny lines from Poirot, actually!”
optimization
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting issues such as unresponsive controls and significant difficulties in getting the game to run smoothly, often requiring extensive troubleshooting. While the performance of the main character is praised, the overall voice acting quality is criticized, contributing to a less than optimal gaming experience.
- “Not fully optimized controls but otherwise a very good and entertaining game.”
- “It also took me hours and two different computers to get the game to run smoothly; I spent more time looking up frame rate fixes than actually playing the game.”
- “In fact, the performance in the game really kept me interested and obliterated the few flaws I encountered from my experience.”
- “Performance / price = 5/10”
- “One thing that I didn't like was the slow performance.”
- “That the game evidently recognizes the draw of its iconic protagonist makes a number of consistent errors in his vocal performance all the more egregious.”
character development
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has been criticized for its lack of depth and aesthetic appeal, with many reviewers noting that the character designs are poor and the voice acting is subpar. While some elements of the original novel are preserved, the overall execution fails to engage players, leading to a disappointing experience.
- “It also takes unwarranted liberties with the narrative of the novel, and the character design is aesthetically questionable.”
- “Art is horrible, the character design is bad, voice acting isn't that special either.”
- “Bad voice acting, glitches, no puzzles, there is no interesting story, ugly character design, impossible to skip boring scenes.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it successfully immerses players in the role of a detective, the sound design and overall presentation lack the emotional depth needed to enhance the experience. Critics note that the potential for dramatic moments is underutilized, leading to a sense of detachment, and frustrations with gameplay mechanics detract from the emotional engagement.
- “Actually made me feel like Poirot, my favorite detective behind Monk.”
- “The sound design is equally lackluster - there's very little emotion and a little too much detachment. A mise-en-scène that is absolutely ripe with dramatic opportunities: the numerous red herrings, the reveal, and even the reconstructions of the murders could have been orchestrated in a much more cinematic or emotionally arresting manner.”