Description
Mystery Manor is a game that draws a lot from the object finding genre but also throws in a lot more to make the game a compelling package that satisfies on many levels.
As with all mystery games, there has to be one for you to solve, right? Check. In a Mystic Manor that comes with a varied and bright cast of characters that include both inhabitants of the manor and more spooky fare in the form of ghosts and ghouls, the master of the manor, Mister X has disappeared. It’s up to the player to find out what happened to Mister X by breaking the mystery of where he went and why.
Mystery Manor’s premise may seem simple, break the mystery and game over, right? Wrong. As with many other Game Insight titles the game is regularly expanded and is the type of game that you’re unlikely to ever finish. You’re probably wondering why that might be a good idea for a game like this well, if you’re the type that likes these games then having a game that keeps on going and going is great for casual gaming and to keep on playing the game you love whilst still keeping it fresh. Take a look at the video below for more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1OhpWMhXvU
How it Works
The first time the app starts up it sends you through a tutorial of sorts in the form of an introduction thanks to an assistant of the house named Katherine. The tutorial doesn’t last too long and gets you togrips with the way the game works and how to play quickly.
The aim of the game is to progress through rooms of the manor by completing the tasks set to you by the character of that room. There’s a lot of quests to fulfil and whilst most of it is, of course, object finding there’s a lot to do including some pretty hard puzzles.
Each time you complete a room of the manor this is added to your experience and this is needed to level up – a nice touch for a game like this – as well as coins which can be used to spend on items that help you throughout the manor.
As I mentioned above there are items listed along the right hand side of the screen that will help you through the stage you’re on, this range from magical items to added time and so on.
Opinion
As someone that grew up on PCs from a young age I remember the Hidden Object genre well and it’s probably what started my eternal love affair with the mouse. This is a game that not only brings me back a few years but also shows me how Game Insight have taken a genre that can be a little dated and brought it right back up to speed.
The benefits of having more and more added to the game on a regular basis is a fantastic idea and it makes me wish more mobile game developers would do the same. This is a game perfect for casual gamers and the type of game that makes a touchscreen for gaming make so much sense. Add all this to the fact the game is completely free and you’ve got a winning combination.
There are some nice touches in Mystery Manor that makes it stand out from the rest, such as the loyalty feature that rewards you for simply playing the game. Graphically the game looks fresh, new and has a consistent look and feel of high quality reigns throughout.
Sometimes you hear people say “It’s the gift that keeps giving”, a more accurate analogy for Mystery Manor would be that it’s “The game that keeps you playing”.
- Speed (4/5) – The game runs at a good pace that will suit all, without sending younger or more adept gamers to sleep.
- Features (5/5) – As hidden object games go, I think this is the most feature packed I’ve come across in a while. With new content added and a varied amount of puzzles and characters, this is full of good stuff.
- Theme (5/5) – Mystery Manor has a look and feel that is unique, consistent and stunning as well as fresh and up to date.
- Overall (5/5) – This has been a game that has taken the hidden object genre and made it new and shiny again, it’s a whole lot of fun and something that I’d recommend to all.
Pros
- The game is free-to-play and with such polish added to the game it’s well worth spending time with.
- Mystery Manor manages to take on the mystery game genre without coming cheesy or dated.
- The graphics look awesome and scaled without a problem to my 7″ and 9.7″ tablets.
- As a game that keeps on giving this is one that you’ll be playing for a long time to come.
Cons
- Sometimes the items can be a little too hard to find but, using the help on the right sorts that out.
- It’s quite quick to level up at times.
- As you begin the game some of the rooms are a little sparse but, they soon get more challenging.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a game to play on a commute or in your spare time this is a game that will keep you engaged for a long time, indeed. Coupled with the regular updates to the game and it truly is a good casual companion on the road or on the couch.
Mystery Manor is an engaging location for such a game and presents the player with a number of interesting characters that only get better the more you play it. Puzzles and object finding are great as it provides good gameplay with minimal effort; there’s no onscreen controls, no blaring music, it’s great for a wind down and good to play with others, as well.
Don’t just take my word for it, though, this is a game that you have to try yourself. Perfect for the weekend, no?
You can find Mystery Manor in the Google Play Store
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