THE STORY

There’s always something odd going on in country manors, just look at Downton Abbey, Cluedo or the Countryside Alliance. So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone when the lord of the manor, Mister X, vanished in mysterious circumstances leaving nothing behind but a cryptic message. It shouldn’t, but it did…

THE EXPERIENCE

After all the fast-paced, psychotically energetic apps we’ve been reviewing of late, it seems time for something a bit more sedate; and fewer options are more sedentary than a good hidden object affair. Which is exactly what we have here – a test of observational prowess set across several stately rooms of Mister X’s manor, challenging you to investigate the outcome of the absent owner by interacting with the various people, spooks and, yes, even Scooby Doo-style monsters that inhabit it.

More stylishly designed than the usual app eye-strainers, Mystery Manor also offers an array of extras to keep you entertained along the way, plus puzzles to motivate the grey matter. The interface, meanwhile, whilst generally well thought out, does tend to be rather cluttered, but as you’re not fleeing a demonic bear, that really doesn’t get in the way of the game.

What does, however, is the actual hidden object viewing frame which, somewhat on the small side to accommodate the other on-screen elements, makes the whole process a little more annoying than it needs to be. But, again, if you’re not willing to spend time putting the effort in, then hidden object games are probably not for you!

THE BOTTOM LINE

Concentrating more on gameplay than epically unnecessary cut-scenes, Mystery Manor is a fine example of the stuff-seeking app ilk. A relaxing way to kill time and solve a crime, the developers promise that new rooms will be added frequently and that “you will never finish the game”, but we’re hoping they rethink that purpose-defying threat!

Additional information

Current version: varies with device
Requires Android: varies with device

Download the Mystery Manor app from Google Play

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