Loco Motive is an exciting 2D whodunit point-and-click adventure from Chucklefish and Robust Games, designed for the Nintendo Switch. Imagine blending the nostalgia of old-school classics like Monkey Island or the lively Sam and Max series, while adding a fresh twist. Without stepping entirely into Sam and Max’s shoes, this game manages to capture a similar charm. Its pixel art style is sure to pull you in right away, but it’s the top-notch voice acting that truly breathes life into this intriguing world. What started as a humble two-week game jam project for AdvXJam 2020 on itch.io, quickly evolved into a full-fledged game thanks to Adam and Joseph at Robust Chicken, who decided they had something special on their hands.
The story kicks off aboard a train where the elderly Lady Unterwalf is ready to disclose her heir. However, the plot thickens when she is tragically murdered in front of everyone, shrouded in the darkness of a tunnel passage. This leads us into the shoes of three distinctive characters: Arthur Ackerman, a no-nonsense lawyer portrayed by Sean Chiplock; Herman Merman, a crime writer-turned-novice detective voiced by Brent Mukai; and Diana Ostman, a spy played by Savy Des-Etages.
We begin playing as Arthur Ackerman, the prime suspect in Lady Unterwalf’s murder. His journey starts with a tense police interrogation, setting the stage for the adventure that unfolds. Left alone, Arthur seeks to escape his predicament, which proves a challenge since he finds himself chained to a desk. This opening sequence serves as a tutorial to familiarize you with Loco Motive’s mechanics.
In this point-and-click game, you navigate using the left analog stick and engage with various elements by pressing A. You can swiftly toggle through interactive hotspots using the L and R buttons, or switch them up with the right analog stick. When time is of the essence, sprint by pressing the ZL or ZR buttons.
Curious about the type of puzzles you’ll face? Without giving too much away, let’s touch on Arthur’s initial challenge. Being handcuffed to a desk in a police station, he must devise a clever escape plan. After ensuring no one is eavesdropping, it’s time to get creative!
Investigating your surroundings, you’ll find potential tools, including a trenchcoat that might hide a key to your chains. The task is to retrieve it without drawing attention. You’ll gather various items like books, cigarette butts, a trashcan, a newspaper, and a desk fan. By taking a cue from classic Lucasfilm Games logic and avoiding the trash, you’ll likely turn to the newspaper and desk fan.
After collecting these, open your inventory with the Y button and merge the newspaper with the desk fan using A, crafting a makeshift air funnel. Use it to knock down an umbrella from the coat rack, enabling you to fetch the keys. But will this be enough for a clean getaway? You’ll need to play to reveal what comes next!
Loco Motive delivers a rich, nostalgic experience styled after the iconic adventure games of yesteryear, while standing on its own merit. The story swiftly throws you into mystery on the Reuss Express, and it’s up to Ackerman, Merman, and Ostman to piece it all together. Engaging in this noir-style investigation mode adds another layer of immersive gameplay, displaying scenes in classic black and white. Priced at $17.99, this engaging title is available on Nintendo Switch, offering a delightful experience for fans of the genre.
Disclaimer: This review of Loco Motive was crafted from a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Chucklefish.
