Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders brings to life the classic mystery novel with a unique blend of investigation and deduction. Detective Hercule Poirot is tasked with unraveling the intricate web of clues left behind by a serial killer who's using the alphabet as his guide. As Poirot delves deeper into the case, he'll find himself in various English locations, each with its own secrets to uncover.
The gameplay revolves around searching for and analyzing evidence at crime scenes, interacting with suspects, and making deductions based on Poirot's observations. Players will need to study the surroundings carefully, using their wits to spot connections between seemingly unrelated details. Conversations with characters also play a crucial role, where players must choose responses that stay in character to gather information and earn bonus points.
As Poirot navigates the case, he'll enter a mental state of deduction, combining evidence to form conclusions. This mechanic allows for strategic thinking, but beware – there's no room for failure. The game also features reconstructions, where players get to piece together a timeline by making key decisions that shape the story. Get it right, and you'll move forward; wrong, and you're sent back to the beginning.
Logic puzzles add an extra layer of challenge to the game, with players required to manipulate objects and solve problems in a separate screen. These puzzles draw inspiration from The Room, but with some unique twists. Traditional puzzles like comparing letterhead also make an appearance, as do key combinations that require careful observation.