Mystery Mania Brings Clever Sleuthing to the iPhone
We’ve stumbled upon a little gem of an iPhone game. Mystery Mania, adds heart to any iDevice with its deserted mansion, 27 riddle-tastic rooms, and amnesia-suffering robot. Being released on EA’s mobile site a few months ago, Mystery Mania has arrived for the iPhone and iPod touch in full finger tapping glory. You’ll have at least a couple hours of fun with this great game.
The game’s lead character F8 is certainly the skeleton holding this title together. After waking up from a long sleep (we’re talking years), F8 realizes he has no recollection of his past. So, players must lead him through a path of discovery helping him understand why he’s here and what his mission is. All the rooms in the mansion have a secret that must be unlocked in order to progress throughout the game. Clues are placed in each room to aid in finding the solution. But it’s not all roses. F8 often finds himself in a predicament such as being electrocuted or suffering from a dog bite. But he’s a good sport and is always up for more mystery solving.
No extensive instructions are included in Mystery Mania. Yet, that’s what makes the game so challenging and amusing. Logic is the only thing required to help F8 solve each mystery. Within each level are various items. Use them in a particular order to activate other items or open the exit. You might need to use a candle on a wall to light a burner on a table. Then add chemicals to a beaker on top of the burner to unlock a formula that F8 can drink. Just watch what happens next. This all can be tricky at times and EA really makes you think about each puzzle. Most of them can be solved after a few tries. Just be observant and you’ll do fine.
Graphically, Mystery Mania is comparable to a flash cartoon. Colors a vivid, yet the sets are rather flat feeling. Overall, there isn’t anything to write home about in the visual department. Since there isn’t spoken audio, dialogue between F8 and guest personalities are presented in sign boards reminiscent of silent films. The music incorporated into Mystery Mania is eerie and fits the entire tone of the game perfectly. If interrupted by a phone call or otherwise quit, the game will save your progress and resume where you left off upon the next launch.
If you like games that will stump, surprise, and gratify you, give Mystery Mania a whirl. All the ingredients of a classic crime drama are neatly packaged into the game. Currently, EA is offering the game for $3.99 on the App Store. The only complaint we have about it is that its over rather quickly. We’d love to see EA throw in more levels in a update. But as it is, Mystery Mania is one who-done-it that will leave you wanting more.
Learn more about iPhone games, including the hit cartoon wars. Stop by Eric Meister’s site where you can find out all about iTouch apps and what they can do for you.
