Enough champagne to fill the Nile
When you adapt a literary classic, the goal isn’t just to replicate it; it’s to make it feel alive in a new way. Death on the Nile is one of the most famous mysteries ever written, and this game isn’t afraid to take a few creative swings. By shifting the story into a 1970s setting, introducing new narrative threads, and expanding the investigation, the developers set out to give players something familiar yet distinct. It’s not flawless, but it’s a solid, thoughtful take on a timeless whodunit.
This version of Agatha Christie’s famous story moves Poirot into a world of flared pants, smoky lounges, and disco lights. The time shift brings a fresh layer of personality to an already iconic mystery. Instead of sticking to a strict retelling of the original book, the game adds side investigations, multiple locations, and a second protagonist in young, Jane Royce. She’s a more grounded, hands-on investigator who complements Poirot’s sharp, methodical style.
MSRP: $39.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $39.99
The structure works well. You’ll travel through London, Majorca, New York, Cairo, and eventually aboard the Nile cruise ship, each setting offering its own flavor and set of clues to unravel. It gives the mystery room to breathe and makes the world feel bigger than a single location. Some supporting characters lack depth, but the main cast carries the drama well enough to keep the momentum going. The story pacing is steady, though a bit uneven. The big moments land with impact, but a few side threads feel like filler. Still, it’s impressive how well the classic mystery translates to this new format without losing its identity.
At its core, this is a classic detective adventure. You’ll gather clues, interrogate suspects, make deductions, and build your case piece by piece. What makes it stand out is how it mixes things up along the way. Instead of walking from one puzzle to the next, there are moments of stealth, light tailing sequences, and more interactive environmental puzzles. These breaks in structure keep things from feeling stale.
The Mind Map system is the real star, very much akin to what Benedict Cumberbatch’s take on Sherlock Holmes used in the series from 2010.The Mind Map allows you connect clues, motives, and suspects in a way that feels rewarding rather than forced. When everything clicks into place during confrontations, there’s a real sense of payoff. That said, the puzzle design isn’t consistent. Some are clever and well-integrated, while others drag the pacing down or feel like busywork. The pacing can dip in the middle sections, especially when backtracking or re-examining environments. It’s not enough to derail the experience, but it does highlight how tightly balanced a detective game needs to be to stay engaging.
Death on the Nile leans into its 70s aesthetic. The art direction favors atmosphere over realism, and that’s a smart move. Warm lighting, retro décor, and hazy nightlife give the environments personality. Egypt looks sun-drenched and dusty, while London and New York have a cool, urban polish. On Xbox Series X, the game runs quite well which is in contrast to the last Hercule Perot game I played. Where it falters though is in animation. Character movements can be stiff, and lip syncing doesn’t always line up. These aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re noticeable. The game has a pretty incredible soundtrack though; jazzy, moody, and era-appropriate, with strong ambient effects that pull you into each location.
What works best here is the tone. The setting shift gives the story fresh energy, and the dual-protagonist structure adds variety to the way you investigate. The Mind Map system and confrontations are genuinely satisfying, and the mystery itself is engaging even if you already know the classic plot. My only real issues with the game come from uneven puzzle design, some occasional shallow characterization, and a few technical hiccups. Nothing is catastrophic, but together they make it clear this isn’t a blockbuster production; it’s a well-made mid-tier game with ambition.
Death on the Nile may not be a big-budget spectacle, but it’s a well-crafted mystery with charm and ambition. If you enjoy piecing together clues, catching liars in their contradictions, and unraveling classic stories in new ways, this is a cruise worth boarding.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
