Missing the charm of a retro point-and-click experience? Loco Motive is a point-and-click adventure game heavily inspired by the classics of the genre. Think of titles like Monkey Island, one of my personal favorites, but with a twist of Agatha Christie-style mystery. The entire adventure takes place on a train, with a story centered around uncovering the murderer of a wealthy magnate named Lady Unterwald. Developed by the studio Robust Games and published by the quirky Chucklefish, this game stands out with its striking visuals, impressive animations, and a blend of humor, intrigue, and puzzles.
The story unfolds aboard the Reuss Express, a luxurious train where a mysterious murder occurs just as Lady Unterwald’s will is being read to determine who will inherit her fortune. Players will step into the shoes of three distinct characters: Arthur Ackerman, the magnate’s lawyer who had a close relationship with her; Herman Merman, a secret agent with an eccentric personality and an unforgettable mustache; and Miss Winters, an amateur detective. Each of these characters provides a unique perspective on the central events, with individual skills that enrich the narrative and add depth to their interactions.
The entire adventure is filled with humorous twists, complemented by voice acting that perfectly fits the tone and brings every character to life, including the supporting cast.
The setting is ideal for mystery fans: although confined to a train, the environment is brilliantly executed, with peculiar details in each carriage. The eccentric ensemble of characters and the comedic tone turn this into a light and refreshing experience with every chapter.
Unfortunately, I encountered a few issues. It’s crucial to save progress frequently, as the game doesn’t do so automatically. On several occasions, after clicking on a character to progress the story, the game froze, as if the characters were stuck in time. When this happened, none of my progress had been saved, forcing me to replay some sections.
Loco Motive adopts the classic mechanics of point-and-click adventure games, which involve exploring environments, collecting items, gathering information through conversations, and solving puzzles along the way. Interestingly, on PC, you can use the keyboard to move your character, but you’ll still need the mouse to interact with the environment.
The puzzle design is creative and appropriately challenging, though there is some back-and-forth involved. In my opinion, the dialogue is one of the game’s strongest elements, well-written and often humorous enough to elicit a smile or even a genuine laugh.
As is often the case in this genre, some puzzle solutions may feel slightly illogical. However, in Loco Motive, these moments are rare and well-balanced. Those “aha” moments of finding a solution don’t take excessively long, requiring just enough cleverness without becoming overly difficult. For players feeling stuck, there’s a phone booth onboard where you can ask for a hint—a clear nod to the telephone in the forest from Monkey Island.
While a good story doesn’t necessarily need appealing graphics, the combination of both can feel almost magical. This is exactly the case with Loco Motive, where everything falls perfectly into place. The attention to detail in the environment and character animations is superb. The art style perfectly complements the game’s nostalgic vibe, while the jazz-infused soundtrack with a touch of mystery sets the mood for every moment.
Loco Motive is a delightful experience that shines by blending mystery and comedy with the nostalgia of classic point-and-click games. It captures the essence of the genre’s golden age, respects the player’s time, and showcases its own unique personality. For fans of engaging narratives, funny characters, and clever puzzles, this is an adventure well worth keeping an eye on.
[Note: Review based on the final PC version of the game, kindly provided by Chucklefish.]
