I was never a massive fan of point-and-click adventure games. This was probably because they always involved too much thought and were often too cryptic (for me at least). The result of which was often me flicking through my inventory trying to combine a cabbage with a spanner in order to progress. Therefore it was with a little trepidation that I acquired the Wii version of Agatha Christie's best-selling novel 'And Then There Were None' (ATTWN).

Trying as hard as ever not to reveal the plot for those who have not yet purchased the game, it goes a little something like this. 10 strangers are invited to attend a weekend away at Shipwreck Island (Soldier Island in the book), off the coast of Devon, by a mysterious Mr U.N. Owen whom none of the protaganists have ever met. Upon reaching the island, the boat of Mr Narracott (controlled by the player) is scuttled by one of the ten, with the result that the assembled guests have to sit out the storm and wait for help to arrive. It is revealed that each of the guests, barring Narracott, have dark and mysterious pasts. One by one the guests start to die, leaving a race against time to uncover the identity of the killer as well as the pasts of those imprisoned on Shipwreck Island.

Players assume the role of Fred Narracott and have the entire island at their disposal to search for clues and a method of escape. Interrogating guests and searching their belongings, as well as the surroundings, are key parts of the gameplay. This works effectively in delivering the plot, as the events on Shipwreck Island are seen through the eyes of each of the guests present.

The story works well on the whole and even if you have read the Christie novel, you be guessing the killer until the very moment that their identity and backstory is revealed. This is because the makers of ATTWN opted for their own unique ending, which despite seeming a little implausible, they should be creditted for trying.

The graphics are really a mixed bag. The opening cutscenes I felt looked fantastic, whilst the makers did a great job of creating a moody and intense setting. Storm effects look good, whilst the house that the player spends so much time in also looks very good. On the other hand some cutscenes reveal the weakness of character animations. Often you will wonder why characters look so bad. The lip-synching can, at times, be pretty bad as can the level of detail on the characters.

In terms of controls there isn't much to say other than Wii Remote point and click concept works well. However use of the Wii Remote motion sensor controls appears to have been an afterthought by the developers. Only on a couple of occasions can the player use gestures to solve puzzles, and even then this can be frustrating - particularly the use of the Wii Remote to open a safe-combination on a door which was extremely frustrating to say the least.

However, I want to stress that whilst the game has its flaws, it really succeeds at creating a fantastic atmosphere. This is in no small part to the music that accompanies the game. Coupled with the lighting effects and the sound of the storm battering Shipwreck Island, ATTWN does well in creating a great setting. In addition this is helped by the fact the voice-acting is handled incredibly well. The script isn't cheesy either, which can sometimes happen with games that predominantly feature talking characters.

Delivery of the plot is helped by the fact that most, if not all puzzles, can be worked out with a bit of thought. Clues are present throughout the game and should present ardent point and click fans with little difficulty.

A massive criticism that I have with ATTWN was the fact that it has little replay value. After completing the game, the player is left with one final puzzle. Upon solving this puzzle the player is rewarded with the ending from the original Christie novel. This was a good idea. However there is no incentive to play the game again, other than seeing the entire story played out again. Therefore people may think twice about paying the full retail price for a game that they could complete in a weekend having done everything there is to do.

Nevertheless I want to finish this review on a positive note - unlike those who spent their last days on Shipwreck Island. While admittedly there is little replay value to the game, ATTWN really does well in delivering a fantastic and effective atmosphere. The plot is good, and the graphics, music and lighting combine well to produce a sombre and eerie atmosphere.

I would definitely recommend this game, but I would also recommend renting it, as for all its atmosphere it has little replayability. Having said that, although you will finish the game wishing that there was more to it, ATTWN is a very good attempt at a Christie novel, if let down by its glaring flaws.