Review of Loco Motive for Nintendo Switch (eShop)

Imagine a tale as old as time: a detective, a wealthy old heiress with a recently updated will, and a cast of characters all scheming for a piece of the pie. Of course, it all leads to murder, and naturally, it happens on a train! But before you dismiss this as another Agatha Christie knock-off, think again. This game’s fresh approach to the classic whodunnit might just make it one of our new favorite point-and-click adventures.

Loco Motive, brilliantly named, throws you into the shoes of three distinct characters: Arthur, an attorney obsessed with paperwork; Herman Merman, a crime novelist turned sleuth; and Diana, a spy doubling as a bounty hunter for an imaginary Inland Revenue Service. These quirky protagonists guide you through unraveling the sudden and mysterious murder onboard using your wits and an array of zany item combinations, sprinkled with unexpected twists and humor-laden scenes.

The nods to its influences are unmistakable and worn with pride. You’ll pick up on Christie’s intricate plotting, the playful absurdity of Monkey Island, and visuals that echo the artistry of Ghost Trick. But Loco Motive isn’t just stitching its inspirations together haphazardly. Instead, it carves out a unique identity, standing confidently among the classics without being overshadowed.

Visually, the game stuns with pixel animations that impress with their detail and creativity—each item combination gets its own animation. Characters are vividly brought to life with simple but clever touches: a bartender’s eyebrow lift exudes confidence; feuding twins hilariously tug on a breaking briefcase, and every dialogue is lip-synced—a feat rarely seen in pixel art games. Unfortunately, static screenshots just can’t do justice to these dynamic displays.

In terms of writing, Loco Motive stands tall. Taking inspiration from the much-loved dialogue of Monkey Island isn’t easy, yet this game manages to deliver wit without awkwardness and guidance without condescension. Each character’s voice feels authentic, bringing the ensemble cast to life. The roster of voice actors adds a delightful dimension, with talents like Samantha Béart from Baldur’s Gate 3 lending her voice to April, and comedians like Alasdair Beckett-King and Jim Meskimen bringing layers of humor and character.

What sets Loco Motive apart are its clever twists on the point-and-click formula. It offers three characters to play, each with intersecting timelines and inventory swaps that only reveal their purpose later in the game. Near the conclusion, you face a particularly ingenious challenge involving confiscated inventories that flips gameplay on its head, making you rely on items acquired through playful pilfering. It’s a testament to the game’s smart design.

Of course, no point-and-click game is without its mind-bending puzzles, and Loco Motive has its share of head-scratchers. While most navigation and clues are straightforward, furnishing a handy hint line, there are moments when even that falls short, leading us to seek solace in developer or online walkthroughs. Whether you view these guides as part of the genre’s charm is up to you.

Sadly, the game isn’t without technical hiccups. While often sleek and polished, bugs can bring it to a grinding halt. A save glitch that reverted progress was particularly frustrating, requiring us to restart entirely. Another bug misled us into thinking a puzzle was more complex than it was. These annoyances marred an otherwise smooth experience, though we did appreciate the cutscene and dialogue skip features, especially during retries.

So, where does Loco Motive stand? As a debut, it’s a remarkable addition to the comedic, puzzling murder-mystery lineup. It brings a lot of personality, style, and engaging mechanics to the table. However, lingering bugs make it hard to whole-heartedly recommend on the Switch right now. The game itself is fantastic, filled with lovable characters and striking art, and once the kinks are ironed out, it’ll surely gain the momentum it deserves. We’re confident that with Chucklefish backing this robust debut, it won’t be long before these issues are flattened, just like a coin on a train track.

### Conclusion
Loco Motive delivers a delightful mix of humor, charm, and innovative gameplay wrapped in stunning pixel art. While its current state on the Switch is a bit hindered by bugs, we think patience will pay off, leading to a smooth ride worth embarking on.