Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile is one of the most iconic murder mysteries ever written, and now it’s making a return in game form — but with a twist. Developed by Microids Studio Lyon and published by Microids, this new adaptation isn’t just a straight retelling of Christie’s 1937 novel. Instead, it shifts the story into the vibrant 1970s, introduces a second protagonist alongside Hercule Poirot, and crafts a fresh detective adventure filled with puzzles, deductions, and dramatic confrontations.
It’s a bold take on a beloved classic, one that might raise eyebrows among purists, but it works surprisingly well. This version of Death on the Nile doesn’t just rehash the story you already know — it expands on it, offering new mysteries, new suspects, and new perspectives. The result is a detective game that feels both familiar and refreshing.
A Story with Two Protagonists
At the heart of the game lies its dual protagonist system. Players control Hercule Poirot, Christie’s world-famous Belgian detective, but also step into the shoes of Jane Royce, a private investigator with a very different style.
Poirot embodies precision and logic — a master of observation and deduction. Jane, by contrast, is a younger detective, less refined but more hands-on. Her storyline takes her globe-trotting from London to Majorca to New York before eventually converging in Egypt. Meanwhile, Poirot conducts his classic investigation aboard the Nile cruise ship.
This dual perspective helps the game feel larger in scope than a single-location mystery. Each character follows their own trail of clues, and when their paths finally intersect at Abu Simbel, the mystery comes together in a satisfying way.
The addition of Jane Royce is a smart move. Instead of simply retelling the book’s events, the game imagines what might happen after Christie’s original ending. It’s a continuation that keeps even seasoned fans guessing, while newcomers can dive in without worrying about prior knowledge.
1970s Vibes and Setting
Moving the timeline to the 1970s adds a unique flavor to the narrative. This was a decade of change — feminist movements, disco clubs, shifting societal norms — and the game embraces that backdrop. Characters reflect the era, both in fashion and personality, making the cast more varied and vibrant than the original 1930s setting.
From bell-bottoms to psychedelic design elements, the aesthetic choice pays off. It keeps the environments lively while still grounding the story in darker themes of deception, jealousy, and murder. This version of Death on the Nile isn’t afraid to blend the grim with the groovy.
Investigation and Deduction
As a detective adventure, the gameplay loop is what really matters, and Microids delivers a strong foundation here.
- Exploration: You’ll investigate diverse locations, from London’s streets to Egypt’s ruins, and of course, the famous Nile cruise. Each environment is filled with clues to examine, objects to rotate and inspect, and suspects to question.
- Mindmap System: Clues you gather are fed into an evolving mind map. This visual board allows you to connect pieces of evidence and draw deductions, making the process feel tactile and rewarding.
- Confrontation System: Once you have the facts, you can confront suspects, using contradictions in their statements to expose lies. It’s one of the most satisfying features of the game, echoing mechanics from titles like L.A. Noire but with a more grounded, puzzle-driven approach.
- Character Profiles: As you talk to suspects, their profiles fill in with names, occupations, relationships, and secrets. The fact that you, the player, actively input this information reinforces memory and helps keep the growing cast clear in your head.
- Crime Scene Reconstruction: Perhaps the standout mechanic, these sequences allow you to place characters in specific positions and at specific times to recreate how an event unfolded. It turns vague timelines into concrete 3D puzzles, and when everything falls into place, the payoff is hugely satisfying.
- Puzzle Variety: From lockpicking to jukebox tinkering, puzzles add extra variety. They’re not overly complex but provide enough challenge to keep you engaged. Difficulty settings allow you to tone down hints or strip them away entirely if you want the full detective experience.
Visuals and Audio
Visually, Death on the Nile opts for a stylized, cell-shaded art direction rather than photo-realism. Characters can sometimes look stiff, but the environments shine with vibrant detail. The Nile cruise feels atmospheric, and cityscapes like London and Cairo burst with 1970s character.
Performance-wise, it runs smoothly on modern hardware, with only occasional dips in larger environments. On PC, it can hold a steady 60fps without issue, and even the Steam Deck handles it decently.
Audio is a mixed bag. Voice acting ranges from strong to slightly awkward, with Poirot’s accent occasionally slipping. The soundtrack, however, is excellent — a blend of smooth jazz, disco-inspired tracks, and moody instrumentals that perfectly fit each setting. At its best, the audio elevates the drama of an interrogation or the tension of a crime scene. At its worst, abrupt cuts between tracks can break immersion.
Pacing and Replay Value
The story is designed to be completed in a single campaign, but it moves at a brisk pace. Cases unfold in logical sequences, with enough twists to keep you guessing. For players who enjoy exploring, collectibles such as golden mustaches and vinyl records unlock bonus art and music in a gallery mode, adding incentive for completionists.
The branching dialogue and multiple difficulty options also encourage replay. You can replay cases to try different approaches, explore unused dialogue branches, or test yourself without hint systems enabled.
Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile is both a respectful adaptation and a daring reimagining. By shifting the story to the 1970s, introducing a second protagonist, and expanding beyond the book’s original ending, Microids has created a detective game that feels both familiar and fresh.
The writing isn’t always flawless, and the visuals can sometimes feel dated, but the heart of the game — deduction, interrogation, and puzzle-solving — is strong. Poirot and Jane Royce make for a compelling duo, the confrontation and reconstruction mechanics are genuinely satisfying, and the 1970s setting gives the classic mystery a stylish new coat of paint.
For Christie fans, this is a chance to revisit Death on the Nile from a new angle. For detective game lovers, it’s a solid mystery adventure with plenty of intrigue to unravel. It may not redefine the genre, but it’s a clever, enjoyable spin on one of the greatest whodunits ever told.
✅ Great detective gameplay
✅ Strong puzzle variety and crime scene reconstructions
✅ Fun dual perspective with Poirot and Jane Royce
✅ Stylish 1970s setting and solid soundtrack
❌ Some clunky animations and dated visuals
❌ Inconsistent audio/voice work
❌ Story pacing can occasionally dip
Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile: A stylish, puzzle-rich detective adventure that breathes new life into a timeless story. Imperfect but highly enjoyable, especially for fans of mysteries. – Obsidian