Published on: October 30, 2020
Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders on Nintendo Switch: A Voice-Acted Detective Adventure
Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders brings a new adaptation of the beloved classic novel to Nintendo Switch, introducing players to a distinct blend of point-and-click adventure and detective storytelling.
Developed by Microïds, this graphic adventure game puts players in the shoes of renowned detective Hercule Poirot as he unravels a chilling series of murders across the United Kingdom.
Originally released on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and now available on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, the game captures the essence of Christie’s writing with an interactive twist.
Stepping Into Poirot’s Shoes
In Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders, players control Detective Hercule Poirot primarily from a third-person perspective, investigating crime scenes, interrogating suspects, and examining clues in iconic locations.
The narrative closely follows the plot of the original novel, though prior reading of the book isn’t required to enjoy the game.
Many fans consider it a welcome addition to their collection, offering a unique opportunity to solve the mystery firsthand.
While the game’s runtime sits at just over five hours for an average playthrough, the focused story helps maintain player engagement, even if some desire a longer experience.
Location areas are intentionally compact, which results in a smaller inventory and fewer items to interact with.
Fans of detective games may wish for more objects to examine, especially to deepen Poirot’s world through his observations—a staple of the genre.
Outstanding Voice Acting on Nintendo Switch
One of the game’s standout features is full voice acting for every character.
The performances provide a vibrant, immersive experience, making the investigation come alive for players.
Subtitles are also included, ensuring players don’t miss any nuances due to accents or background noise.
As a result, dialogue sequences are a highlight, elevating the Switch port above average adventure titles.
Puzzle Variety and Accessibility
Puzzles are interwoven throughout the narrative, with some shifting briefly to a first-person perspective for object inspection.
These segments offer variety, though the decision to reset the puzzle upon exiting can introduce minor repetition.
Similarly, examining repeated clues—such as the killer’s typewritten letters—may start engaging but can feel redundant after multiple occurrences.
The observation mechanic is another key element, requiring players to study suspects’ body language and gauge their behavior.
While this system is intuitively aided by a narrowing cursor, some may find it diminishes the challenge over time.
A built-in hint system provides additional accessibility, designed with time-based limitations to prevent overuse.
It’s a thoughtful inclusion, especially for newcomers to the genre who wish to focus on the story.
Visual Presentation and Replay Incentive
Aggressively cel-shaded visuals give the game a distinctive look, particularly effective when scenes are viewed from a distance.
Some indoor areas remain unscored sonically, relying on strong voice work to drive atmosphere.
However, a notable omission on Nintendo Switch is handheld play support—a surprising limitation for a platform celebrated for portability.
Players are encouraged to replay through trophies and "ego points," awarded for solving cases in the trademark Poirot fashion.
This feature offers some incentive for completionists, though most will find one playthrough sufficient.
Conclusion
Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders stands out on Nintendo Switch as a different kind of detective experience, blending classic storytelling with modern adventure game mechanics.
Despite some design quirks and a lack of handheld mode, the game’s robust voice acting and faithful narrative adaptation succeed in engaging fans of the genre.
Available now on the Nintendo eShop, it remains an enjoyable—if brief—addition to any Switch owner’s collection, especially those fond of mystery and classic literature.
Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Adventure Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders Detective Hercule Poirot Microïds Nintendo eShop