Want to know the formula for great gameplay? Throw in a deserted mansion, 27 riddle filled rooms, and a robot that’s all heart and you’ll have Mystery Mania, a new game from EA. First offered on EA’s mobile site, Mystery Mania is now available for iPhone and iPod touch. This little gem should last you a few hours of mysterious finger tapping.
Supporting the entire game is its hero F8. Awaking from a deep sleep, F8 realizes he’s lost his memory. So it’s up to you to help F8 discover his past by exploring the mansion that is his world. Every room has a secret that must be unlocked. Clues can be pieced together is a certain order to unlock the mystery. Some rooms have multiple exits that must be discovered in order to progress to other rooms. Mystery Mania truly grants an endearing experience. We found ourselves falling in love with F8. He’s up for anything and will obey your every command. Sometimes, this leads him to a sudden electrocution or dog bite, but F8’s always ready for more action.
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’re the type that enjoys being stumped, surprised, and gratified, Mystery Mania will tickle your pallet. It has all the ingredients of a classic who-done-it rolled into a clever iPhone game playable at any time, for any length of time. EA’s presently offering the game on the App Store for $3.99. We only wish the story of F8 wasn’t unraveled so quickly. Hopefully, we’ll see EA adding levels in an update or sequel soon. Time will tell. But that is a mystery we’re eagerly waiting to unfold.
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.
