Midnight Mysteries: Devil On The Mississippi Review

At first glance it'd be easy to assume that Midnight Mysteries: Devil on the Mississippi is just yet another hidden object game - one that's more like something out of a puzzle book than anything that shows off what a great gaming device the iPad can be. While Devil on the Mississippi might not revolutionize anything, it does demonstrate just how involving a true puzzle/adventure game can be.

The storyline is a mightily complex one as time goes by with the focus placed on the ghost of Mark Twain who goes on to question Shakespeare's greatness. There's a lot more to it than that with time travel also playing an important role but it unfolds at an entertaining enough rate that it's best to discover as the game progresses. Exploring the surroundings is an intriguing one as Devil on the Mississippi isn't interested in hand holding. Frequently it's vital to backtrack and go to earlier locations but it's not always obvious where to go next. There's no sign of the game ever stating that a place has been completed which can make things a little intimidating.

While there are hidden object sequences, they're spread out amongst numerous other puzzles too. The hidden object sections actually feel quite refreshing and appropriate for the storyline when they do appear. Some of the objects are also used to solve other puzzles with everything from tile sliding to pairs and more complex mini games required to move on. Not all of the puzzles are obviously solved either with hints in the form of ravens feeling sometimes essential in order to progress.

Much like other hidden object style games, Devil on the Mississippi offers the mission of collecting 70 clovers scattered throughout the game's environments, which then unlocks a pure hidden object section.

Formerly a PC/Mac game, Devil on the Mississippi is a pretty sound conversion to the iPad format. A few times I found it awkward to tap on something with responsiveness being an issue but it's still an enjoyable experience. For the novice player, there's also the ability to buy more hints via an in-app purchase which can come in handy. A strategy guide is also available.

Midnight Mysteries: Devil on the Mississippi is a refreshing dose of casual yet not necessarily simple gaming. One that lends itself to the wide playerbase that the app store covers.