Review: Loco Motive for Nintendo Switch

Loco Motive, the latest offering from Chucklefish and Robust Games, invites players into a classic 2D mystery adventure on Nintendo Switch. This game, brimming with nostalgia, resonates with fans of legendary series like Monkey Island and Sam and Max, while bringing a fresh twist to the whodunit narrative. While the pixel art may catch your eye initially, it’s the superb voice acting that truly brings this world to life. Interestingly, the journey of Loco Motive started during a two-week game jam for AdvXJam 2020 on itch.io. The game’s creators, Adam and Joseph from Robust Chicken, were so intrigued by their project that they evolved it into the full-fledged game we have today.

The tale kicks off on a train where Lady Unterwalf, an aging heiress, is about to announce the heir to her fortune. However, the plot thickens as she is mysteriously murdered in the dark as the train passes through a tunnel. The twist? The killer remains unknown. You’ll navigate this intriguing story through three captivating characters: Arthur Ackerman, a sharp-witted lawyer; Herman Merman, a novelist turned novice detective; and Diana Ostman, a cunning spy. Bringing them to life are the voices of Sean Chiplock, Brent Mukai, and Savy Des-Etages.

Your adventure begins as Arthur Ackerman, who finds himself in quite the predicament, suspected of murder. After an initial interrogation by the police that sets the tone for the unfolding drama, Arthur is left alone but chained to a desk. This scenario presents the perfect opportunity for players to familiarize themselves with the game’s mechanics.

In this point-and-click adventure, you’ll use the left analog stick to move Arthur, interacting with various elements by pressing the A button. The L and R buttons allow you to cycle through interactive hotspots swiftly, while the right stick offers another way to switch between them. Running is enabled with the ZL or ZR buttons.

Curious about the puzzles you’ll tackle? Let’s take a peek at the first one. You’ll need to help Arthur break free from his chains at the police station. With the room at your disposal, you must discreetly gather items – be they books, cigarette butts, a trashcan, a newspaper, or a desk fan – and combine them to orchestrate an escape. Here lies the charm: a trench coat in the room has a key set, and one of those keys might just unlock Arthur’s chains. Can you secure the coat’s keys silently?

Gathering your resources, you craft a makeshift air funnel from the newspaper and desk fan, knocking an umbrella off a coat rack, which then aids in grabbing the keys. What unfolds afterwards? That’s for you to discover.

Loco Motive takes you through a thrilling 2D point-and-click experience, celebrating classics like Monkey Island while injecting its unique flair. Starting onboard a train with Lady Unterwalf’s dark murder, your task will be to guide the three protagonists to unravel the mystery. The noir mode option enhances the experience, cloaking the game in black and white for that vintage touch. Available on Nintendo Switch for $17.99, Loco Motive is an engaging adventure waiting to test your detective skills.

Note: This review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Chucklefish.