You know the drill: a detective, an elderly heiress revising her will, and a motley crew of individuals looking to cash in—and, of course, there’s murder. On a train, no less! While Loco Motive lovingly nods to the classic Agatha Christie mysteries, it cleverly crafts a tale that’s distinctively its own. This modern point-and-click adventure, with all its homage, could easily rank as one of our favorites in recent times.
In Loco Motive, you step into the shoes of three unique characters: Arthur, the paperwork-obsessed estate attorney; Herman Merman, a detective who once penned crime novels; and Diana, a spy and bounty hunter for the Inland Revenue Service (a role we can’t help but find amusingly fictional). Your mission is to unravel the whodunnit surrounding the sudden demise of a wealthy matriarch aboard a train. Along the way, you’ll engage in quirky, over-the-top item combinations, witness surprise revelations, and enjoy comedic cutscenes.
Loco Motive unabashedly wears its influences on its sleeve, drawing from Christie’s intricate plots, the playful irreverence akin to Monkey Island, and the realistic artistry of Ghost Trick. Yet, it doesn’t merely stitch these elements together in a hasty patchwork. This game deftly carves out its own identity among its forebearers, avoiding the pitfall of appearing like an untested imitator.
Reminiscent of Ghost Trick, the pixel animations in Loco Motive are nothing short of mesmerizing, brimming with detail and fluidity. Every item interaction boasts its own unique animation. The personalities of each character burst forth through simple yet thoughtfully executed movements: a bartender exudes confidence with a suggestive eyebrow raise, two quarreling twins dynamically wrestle over a suitcase until it bursts open, and yes, the game’s lip-syncing is spot on. For a pixel-based game, this is a rare achievement, and though screenshots can’t do justice to these animations, they are a true spectacle.
The script shines impressively as well. Echoing the witty exchanges of Monkey Island might seem daunting, but Loco Motive nails it. The dialogue is humorous without being awkward and offers each character a distinct voice, enhancing the entire ensemble—even the minor players. A murder mystery thrives on a vibrant cast, and this game delivers, thanks in part to a stellar voice cast, featuring talents like Samantha Béart from Baldur’s Gate 3, comedian Alasdair Beckett-King, and the seasoned Jim Meskimen offering a delightful Orson Welles impression.
Cleverness abounds in this game! Point-and-click adventures might seem passé, but Loco Motive injects fresh excitement by letting players control three characters whose timelines intertwine, with item exchanges only making sense much later in the story. As the game draws to a close, these swaps become a pivotal mechanic, culminating in a clever moment where confiscated inventories force you to rely on pilfered items. It’s a testament to the game’s ingenuity.
Of course, no point-and-click game is without its bouts of frustration, with some puzzles feeling just as arbitrary as you’d expect from the genre. Generally, the game’s hints are quite helpful, although occasionally they fall short, prompting a reliance on developer-provided or online walkthroughs. It’s up to you to decide if walkthroughs are part of the point-and-click charm.
Adding a layer of frustration are the bugs. Despite its sleek design, these hiccups become glaringly obvious. One bug sent us back to an earlier chapter while retaining items from a later one, forcing a complete restart. Not fun! Thankfully, features like cutscene and dialogue skips were handy. Another bug prevented progress, as our character repeatedly exited a needed room—confusing us into thinking it was another puzzle.
All in all, Loco Motive stands as a fantastic addition to the comedic murder-mystery point-and-click genre. However, a few more patches are necessary before it can earn a wholehearted recommendation for Switch players. Despite enjoying the game immensely—the characters, the art, the puzzles—the bugs were a significant roadblock. Nevertheless, given that this is the developer’s debut with backing from indie giant Chucklefish, we’re optimistic that these issues will be ironed out swiftly, smoothing the tracks ahead.
### Conclusion
Loco Motive is a delightful blend of humor, wit, and pixel art brilliance, offering a riveting point-and-click murder mystery that stands proudly alongside its predecessors. While launch-day bugs slightly mar its current Switch iteration, patience will likely see this gem shine as brightly as it deserves.
