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.
When we first saw Mystery Mania, it reminded us of a flash cartoon you might find online. Colors are bright and attractive, but the sets felt slightly flat. The visuals aren't anything special. A spoken dialogue is missing from the game, so F8 and his acquaintances communicate through signboards that appear when talking commences. But, EA has provided a cool eerie score that fits nicely with the whole mood of the game. Now, if you are enveloped in gameplay and receive a phone call, Mystery Mania will save your progress so that you can return to the same spot later.
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.
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