Hercule Poirot is on his way to London, escorting a valuable painting of Mary Magdelene, which is to be the centrepiece of a new exhibition at the London Museum. A preview gala is to take place, and needless to say the painting is stolen. Good thing Hercule is on the case.

I am about an hour in and have just finished the prologue, which operates almost as a tutorial and helps you settle into the game. It takes place on board a ship, the painting somewhere below deck, and there is a missing locket to be found. Question a number of characters, examine a number of items, and sift the evidential wheat from the red-herring chaff. Draw connections in the 'mind-maps,' linking different pieces of information to determine, perhaps not who-dunnit but what on earth happened.

There is a lot going on in terms of gameplay but by the end of the prologue I felt I was well set to move on. I did think that the connections I made (enter the respective mind map, select some information and then click and drag to join it with other information) would matter more. An incorrect connection results in a comment along the lines of "come now, follow the evidence" and you try again. Perhaps down the track things will change, and given the tutorial nature of the prologue that would make sense. It remains to be seen.

The game gives you good feedback on what needs doing. Examine an item for instance, and you will know how many points of importance there are to find. It is just one example of a plethora of gaming feedback, which seems nicely balanced between telling you there is stuff here to do as opposed to telling you what that is.

It's an animated third person perspective, autosaves as you go, and is fully voiced. Character modelling is a little wooden but it didn't detract from my enjoyment and I look forward to working with Hercule to determine the culprit.

Thanks so much for the first look, flotsam. I really enjoy Agatha Christie computer games and will add this one to my play list.

And thank you as well for your help, Drac.

Thank you flotsam and Draclvr!

Thanks for that first look, flotsam (and Draclvr)

Thank you for the first look, flotsam! Agatha Christie games have always been a favorite of mine!

Thank you Drac!