Loco Motive from Chucklefish and Robust Games takes you on a nostalgic journey with its 2D whodunit point-and-click adventure, now available on the Nintendo Switch. This game skillfully pays tribute to classics in the genre like Monkey Island and the Sam and Max series, while maintaining its own unique charm. The eye-catching pixel art style, showcased in the game’s trailer and images, is just the beginning. It’s the excellent voice acting that truly breathes life into the game’s world. Interestingly, Loco Motive started as a passion project during a two-week game jam for AdvXJam 2020 on itch.io, which Adam and Joseph at Robust Chicken enjoyed so much that they expanded it into a full-fledged game!
The story kicks off aboard the Reuss Express train. As the plot unfolds, the elderly heiress Lady Unterwalf is about to announce her heir, but events take a sinister turn. She gets murdered right in front of everyone. Unfortunately, the incident occurs while the train traverses a dark tunnel, leaving the culprit unidentified. You’ll step into the shoes of three intriguing characters: a by-the-book lawyer named Arthur Ackerman (voiced by Sean Chiplock), the inexperienced detective Herman Merman (voiced by Brent Mukai), and the enigmatic spy Diana Ostman (voiced by Savy Des-Etages).
Your adventure begins with Arthur Ackerman, who finds himself as the prime suspect in Lady Unterwalf’s murder. The initial scene sets the tone, with Arthur being questioned by police before they leave him alone to sort through their findings. Now’s your chance to learn the basics of Loco Motive and test your problem-solving skills. However, you’ll first need to figure out how Arthur can escape his predicament, given he’s securely chained to a desk!
As a classic point-and-click game, you’ll guide your character with the left analog stick, engaging with various points of interest or characters with the A button. The L and R buttons allow you to toggle between interactable hotspots, and the right analog stick helps you navigate them as well. Need to hustle? Press the ZL or ZR buttons to run.
Speaking of puzzles, the game offers plenty, but let’s peek into the first one to get you started without giving too much away. Your task is to free Arthur from his chains in the interrogation room. With no prying eyes around, it’s time to be crafty. Observing your surroundings, you’ll notice a trench coat with keys hanging on the left. One of these keys might just unlock those binding chains. Can you find a way to retrieve them quietly?
You’ll need to gather potential items and think creatively, as traditional Lucasfilm Games logic dictates. Your options include books, cigarette butts, a trash can, newspaper, and a desk fan within reach. Though rummaging through trash might not appeal to Arthur’s refined tastes, combining the newspaper with the desk fan is a viable alternative. With those items in hand, press Y to access your inventory. Select either item with Y, hover over the other with the cursor, and press A to merge them, crafting an air funnel. Use it on the coat rack to dislodge the umbrella, then employ it to snag the keys. From there, the next exciting step awaits your exploration in-game!
Loco Motive is a delightful 2D mystery adventure that cleverly nods to genre classics while delivering its own engaging storyline. Set on a train with the murder of heiress Lady Unterwalf, the tension rises as you alternate between three distinct characters in a race to solve the mystery. Adding to the vibe, you can activate Noir Mode to switch the visuals to a timeless black-and-white theme. Available on Nintendo Switch, Loco Motive is priced at $17.99.
In the meantime, here’s a brief heads-up: This review was based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Chucklefish.
