Poirot Goes Psychedelic: Microids Reimagines Death on the Nile as a ’70s Synth-Fueled Whodunit
Microids Lyon has released Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile on Steam, and the studio moved the story from the 1930s into the 1970s while keeping Christie’s core plot elements intact.
Why the team set the game in the 1970s
Microids Lyon director David Chomard said the studio wanted to avoid making “yet another” straightforward adaptation. As he put it, “There have already been dozens of adaptations in films, theatre, comics, and video games,” and the team chose to change the time period as a way to differentiate their version from prior takes.
What changed from the original novel
The game preserves Agatha Christie’s main story of love and jealousy, but Microids added a second narrative that follows a private detective named Jane. Jane’s investigation runs alongside Hercule Poirot’s and eventually connects to the main plot.
Microids expanded brief mentions and subplots from the novel into full cases. For example, a short reference to a burglary in Mallorca becomes a playable case for Jane. Additionally, jewel theft — a recurring subplot in the book — is used as an early tutorial sequence in the game.
Puzzles, tech and soundtrack
Chomard explained that keeping the game in the 1970s made it easier to remain faithful to the original plot. He noted modern tools like computers, phones, modern forensic science and CCTV would complicate the mystery, so a historical setting helped preserve key plot mechanics.
The team designed puzzles around period objects and tech. Players will use items such as Super 8 cameras and cassette players, and the soundtrack features retro synth instruments including the Minimoog Model D and ARP Odyssey 1. The studio also built varied gameplay beyond interviews, aiming to let players uncover clues and solve parts of the investigation throughout the experience.
Background, past Christie games and reception
Microids previously published two Agatha Christie titles developed by Blazing Griffin — Hercule Poirot: The First Cases and The London Case — which were described as poorly received. Microids Lyon then developed Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express, released in 2023 and set in 2023.
Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile launched on Steam on Sept. 25. Early reception on Steam is reported as mostly positive, with players noting the game’s different approach to Christie’s material.
For context on Christie’s method, Microids referenced her writing process on the official Agatha Christie site: this page. For critical reaction to a recent film adaptation, the reviews compilation is available on Rotten Tomatoes.
“The foundations of a good mystery are timeless, [but] there’s a big difference between a good detective book or film and a good detective video game,” Chomard said, explaining the team’s design approach.
