Loco Motive, developed by Chucklefish and Robust Games, offers a delightful throwback to the golden era of point-and-click adventures, available now on the Nintendo Switch. Fans of the genre will find themselves immersed in a story that evokes the charm of classics like the Monkey Island series and Sam and Max, though without becoming a direct homage. The game’s retro pixel art style stands out immediately, drawing you into its vibrant world. But it’s not just the visuals; the voice acting really enriches the experience, breathing life into the characters. Interestingly, this project was birthed from a two-week game jam during AdvXJam 2020 on itch.io, and Adam and Joseph from Robust Chicken were so inspired they developed it into a full-fledged game.
Our story kicks off aboard a train, where the elderly heiress Lady Unterwalf plans to announce her heir. However, things go awry when she’s unexpectedly murdered during the pitch-black passage of the Reuss Express through a tunnel. This leaves everyone clueless about the killer’s identity. You’ll navigate this mystery through three distinct characters: Arthur Ackerman, a meticulous lawyer; Herman Merman, a crime novelist turned neophyte detective; and Diana Ostman, an undercover spy. These roles are brilliantly voiced by Sean Chiplock, Brent Mukai, and Savy Des-Etages, respectively.
The journey unfolds with you stepping into the shoes of Arthur Ackerman. As the primary suspect, he finds himself in a precarious position after being questioned by the police. Left temporarily alone, he’s confronted with the challenge of escaping, hindered by chains binding him to a desk. This situation serves as a cleverly designed tutorial to familiarize players with the mechanics of Loco Motive.
Being a point-and-click adventure, navigation is straightforward yet engaging. You direct your character with the left stick and interact using the A button. The game smartly lets you switch between interactive hotspots with the L and R buttons or the right stick, making exploration efficient. A touch of speed is added by holding down the ZL and ZR buttons to run.
So, what puzzles await in Loco Motive? Without giving too much away, let’s discuss an early challenge involving Arthur. As he’s shackled to a desk, your task is to help him break free. The room holds potential solutions: a trench coat with keys catches your eye, but they’re out of your direct reach without causing a ruckus.
To retrieve those keys, you’ll need to gather items and get creative. You’ll find objects like books, a trashcan, and a desk fan within reach. By leaning on classic adventure game logic, you merge the newspaper and fan to create a makeshift tool, gently seizing an umbrella, which in turn reaches the keys. The satisfaction of overcoming this inventive puzzle hints at more surprises throughout the game.
Loco Motive boldly embraces its roots in the point-and-click canon, with a unique spin that refreshes the familiar. From the suspense-filled train drama of Lady Unterwalf’s murder to the dynamic storytelling through varied character arcs, it’s a thrilling ride from start to finish. You even have the option to switch to Noir Mode, which adds a classic black-and-white aesthetic for an extra layer of immersion.
For those eager to tackle this nostalgic mystery, Loco Motive is priced at $17.99 and promises a compelling adventure on the Nintendo Switch platform.
Disclosure: Our analysis of Loco Motive is based on a review copy provided by Chucklefish.
