Cruise for a Corpse

Game review

Cruise for a Corpse is a 1991 murder mystery adventure game that offers players an intriguing plot wrapped in a luxurious setting but not without its share of gameplay challenges. The game takes place in France, 1927, aboard the lavish cruise liner 'Karaboudjan III,' where a shocking murder sets the stage for a classic whodunit mystery.

In the vein of Agatha Christie's Murder on The Nile, the game's plot begins with the discovery of the ship's owner, Niklos Karaboudjan, found dead by his butler. Conveniently, Inspector Raoul Dusentier is among the passengers, but before he can investigate the crime scene, he's knocked unconscious, and the corpse mysteriously disappears.

Players take on the role of Inspector Raoul, who wakes up the following morning in Niklos' cabin. It's up to the player to guide Raoul's actions as he meticulously examines every nook and cranny of the ship and interrogates passengers to solve the murder mystery. Cruise for a Corpse features an improved graphic-adventure interface, allowing for more precise interactions with objects. Clicking on objects brings up a menu of actions such as "examine" and "take," enhancing the investigative experience.

The game employs a very convenient map that allows players to instantly 'warp' to any location on the ship, sparing them the frustration of tedious navigation. Players can inquire about alibis, gather information from other passengers, and piece together evidence. The game's clock advances by ten minutes with each useful discovery, adding a sense of urgency as the mystery must be solved by 6 pm, translating to sixty 'discoveries.'

Delphine's "cinematique" animation system brings characters and scenes to life with realistic movements and innovative camera angles, adding a cinematic quality to the game. However, despite these impressive visuals, the gameplay suffers from excessive pixel-hunting. Important objects are often minute and blend into the background, requiring players to repeatedly scan the same areas for crucial clues.

While Cruise for a Corpse captivates with its atmospheric setting and compelling plot, the gameplay is marred by the frustration of pixel-hunting, occasional bugs, and sometimes awkward writing due to translation issues. Nevertheless, for those who appreciate a good mystery and are patient enough to navigate its quirks, the game offers an engaging and immersive experience, capturing the essence of a classic murder mystery with a modern twist.