Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express — Everything We Know

Microids has announced yet another video game adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's well-loved detective mystery classics, Murder on the Orient Express. This news comes just two weeks after the developer shed light on Hercule Poirot: The London Case, yet another tale that's due to arrive on consoles and PC later this year. So, evidently the prestigious detective is looking to make a comeback in 2023.

So, what more do you really need to know about Poirot's upcoming expedition on the Orient Express? Well, here's everything we've been able to gather based on the data supplied to date. Murder on the Orient Express: what is it, and how will it pay respects to one of the most celebrated mystery novels in the history of fiction?

What Is Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express?

To put it short, Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express is a third-person mystery game by Microids. Its set-up, identical to the book and movie, will follow Hercule Poirot, a Belgian detective who's tasked with unearthing the clues relating to a sudden murder on the Orient Express. Unlike its source material, however, the upcoming game will feature a modernized setting, and will take place in the year of 2023. Fear not, though, as Microids has promised to build a “faithful but augmented adaptation.”

“Discover a modernized and revisited version of the Agatha Christie's classic,” the elevator pitch reads in part. “Set in 2023, Murder on the Orient Express brings the classic tale to life in a way that will surprise even the most dedicated fans. With brand-new elements added to the original story, experience the mystery and suspense like never before and rediscover one of the most famous case of Hercule Poirot.”

In a similar style to Hercule Poirot's other murder-mystery games, players will need to use mind maps to help whittle down the facts surrounding the case, either by interviewing suspects or collecting evidence left behind at the crime scene. Question is, what is the crime, and what part will you play aboard the Orient Express?

Story

If, by chance, you skipped out on Agatha Christie's original story that released way back in 1934, then you might've caught its movie adaptation back in 2017. And if, for some reason, you missed out on that too, then all you'll need to know is this: Murder on the Orient Express is “renowned for having one of the best plot twists in literary history.”

“On board the Orient Express, the legendary detective Hercule Poirot tries to solve the murder that has taken place on the prestigious train while surrounded by a cast of intriguing characters with their own secrets and motives,” the blurb adds. “Solving the mystery won’t be easy and through numerous twists and turns, players will have to use their little grey cells as well as detective skills to unravel the truth and bring it to light.”

Going by the blurb, players won't just be spending their hours debunking claims aboard the Orient Express; there'll also be “playable flashbacks in the United States”, too. It's unclear as to what line of events will take place in this second investigation, though it's safe to say that it'll involve Poirot's exploits leading up to the crime on the Orient Express.

Gameplay

Much like the other video game adaptations of Agatha Christie's famed anthology, the core gameplay components in Murder on the Orient Express revolve around solving intricate puzzles and making deductions that, with a little luck, result in the capture of the criminal that's hiding out in plain sight. It'll be your job, using the power of Hercule Poirot's iconic “mind maps”, to thread together a plausible explanation and narrow down the suspects until all but one remains.

“Enter Hercule Poirot's head to discover mind maps and make deductions there, adding an extra layer of depth to the gameplay,” the description adds. “Take on the roles of Poirot and Joanna to solve puzzles and make deductions to uncover the truth behind the murder, playable in third person as you inspect sets and talk to all the protagonists and confront them.”

Development

Microids and Microids Studio Lyon first announced Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express on May 10, 2023. Although without a trailer, the announcement did come with a few in-game screenshots and a Q4 2023 release window.

Let it be said that this isn't the first time Murder on the Orient Express has been ported over to consoles and PC. In 2006, AWE Productions did actually release a murder-mystery game, though with elements a lot closer to the 1934 Agatha Christie novel. It's unclear whether or not the upcoming iteration will translate any of these mechanics or key plot points.

Trailer

Un train mythique, un meurtre, un détective de légende. 🚂 https://t.co/ay1Xg9zu90 🔎🚂 

Agatha Christie – Le Crime de l'Orient Express, une version modernisée du classique d'Agatha Christie arrive sur Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, consoles Xbox & PC à l'automne 2023. pic.twitter.com/ikew3VIPpI

— Microids (@Microids_off) May 10, 2023

Microids has yet to release a trailer for Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express. If anything does pop up, then it'll likely appear on Microids' official channel here.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express will be coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store in Q4 2023. It hasn't been said yet whether or not it'll reach Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, though it's definitely a possibility, given Microids' history with the two.

Right now, we can't say whether or not there'll be any special editions or pre-order bonuses to get your hands on. If anything of the sort does come about, then Microids is sure to make it visible to the public a little closer to the time of the game's release. June, maybe even July, with a little luck.

Are you ready to board the Orient Express? If so, then you'll definitely want to get your hands on a treasure trove of additional information before departure. Fortunately, Microids has a social handle that it updates on a regular basis. You can keep up with its updates by following the feed here.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express when it releases later this year? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.