Best 10 Mystery Games for Android & iOS: Popular & Hidden Gems

Are you itching to flex your detective muscles and want to unravel a perplexing puzzle in your free time? We’re about to delve into the captivating world of mystery games for Android and iOS. So, get ready to put your thinking caps on, as this will surely take you for a ride 

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7 Must-Try Mystery Game Hidden Gems

I have reviewed this list extensively with some of my favorites, like Thimbleweed Park and An Elmwood Trail. I have also included several overlooked games I enjoyed playing, like Layton’s Mystery Journey and Find Joe. You normally won’t find these in other reviews, but some hidden gems deserve mentioning.

NOX – Mystery Adventure Escape

Do you like games that involve following rules and solving challenges? The NOX – Escape Games offers this kind of experience. 

Immediately, you’ll be greeted by stunning visuals similar to those in good home design games. The sound effects are also quite impressive, enhancing the game’s mystery. Plus, there’s a quick tutorial to guide you. 

The app starts with you locked in a cell, and you must find a way to escape. Then, you’ll have to pass by the vent to access other rooms. The game requires keen observation and thinking outside the box. I got stuck in the grand hall, so I had to use a hint. I found the other part of the drawing under the yellow couch. 

I’ve done a few escape games before, but this one is really exceptional in its complexity. You’ll have to rotate the room, knock over things, switch on/off lights, etc. There are also intuitive features like using items in your inventory. 

An escape room puzzle game with an interesting story? I’ll play along. The app is easy to enjoy, but it requires critical thinking and attention to detail to succeed. 

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Find Joe

Find Joe: Unsolved Mystery is easier to solve than other escape games I’ve played with. If you like a hidden object game, this is for you!

The app involves discovering clues. You’ll have to explore various locations, looking for evidence that will lead you to find the missing teenager. You play by level, each with one important clue in the end. 

Being a millennial, what I love most is the nostalgic 90’s atmosphere of the game. It transports me back to the era of retro technology and iconic pop culture references that evoke familiarity and excitement. It also puts my problem-solving skills to the test. But whenever I get stuck, I just watch an ad for a hint. 

Although captivating, the game has an annoying ad every time you finish a level. If you don’t mind that, the immersive storyline and challenging puzzles make it a worthwhile experience. Additionally, I play it on my iPad Air, so I have to contend with playing it in portrait and folding my Folio Keyboard.

Still, even with these minor downsides, this is probably one of the games I’ll be finishing to the end.

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Layton’s Mystery Journey

I’ve played a couple of Layton titles in the past, and they don’t disappoint. They’re perplexing brain-benders that will get your problem-solving skills going. This time, the tweed-clad detective takes a backseat, and you get to play his spunky daughter, Katrielle Layton.

The game is set in London with her trusty magnifying glass and her dog, Sherl. As with most Layton titles, you can expect the usual suspects of peculiar puzzles. We’re talking pipe mazes, logic problems, and those that require lateral thinking that will make your brain do the hokey pokey.

There are deviously clever puzzles, and those “aha!” moments will leave you grinning when you solve them. Others are tamer, but most will leave you scratching your head. Thankfully, there’s a hint system, a lifesaver for when your brain stops working.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Layton’s Mystery Journey, even though I was expecting to play Layton himself. Katrielle’s character is a breath of fresh air as she is feistier. The episodic format, where you tackle case-of-the-week scenarios, keeps things fresh as you play. 

It’s a buy-to-play game on iOS and Android, which is fine as the game does not have ads that pop up randomly. However, getting a Google Play Pass subscription is one way to play Mystery Journey without spending more.

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Tiny Room Stories Town Mystery

Tiny Room Story: Town Mystery is quite similar to NOX – Escape Games in terms of difficulty. I had to meticulously examine every detail to solve it. Even then, I still used a couple of hints. 

In the game, you play a private detective who receives a letter from your father asking for help. The city is completely empty, and you need to find clues and solve puzzles to advance your investigation. You get to ride in a blue vintage car to get around town. 

The visuals are stunning, thanks to the full 3D levels. You’ll have to rotate rooms to inspect them from another angle. The animations are also very smooth, both on my iPad and low-end Android tablet. The sound effects are top-notch. You’ll hear your car starting, stone grinding, and doors opening. All these fit the overall aesthetic of the game. 

One thing I like about the game is its user-friendly interface, making it accessible as you’re playing. However, one of the downsides that annoys me is that you’re greeted with an ad every time you finish a chapter.

Like most mystery games, some puzzles are not straightforward forcing you to use a hint whenever you get stuck. Accessing it will require you to watch a video ad so you can move forward with the game.

Agent A

If you’re in the mood for some old-school James Bond action, Agent A is the closest thing you will get. It is a game with charming visuals blending retro design with some comic book flair as it captures the essence of 1960s spy culture.

At its core, the game is styled similarly to an escape room where you must interact with your environment to proceed to the next level. In the game, you are tasked to break into the secret lair of your nemesis, Ruby La Rouge.

Agent A is a captivating game with unique puzzles that will force you to think outside the box. However, the episodic formats can sometimes fall flat as they stop when the intrigue and suspense peak.

The good news is that you can try it out on iOS, as playing the first chapter is free. On Android devices, it comes with your Google Play Pass subscription, allowing you to enjoy the game fully.

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Sherlock Mysteries: An Android Gem

Now, before you scoff at this game and label it another Sherlock Holmes knock-off, hold your horses. Sherlock Mysteries throws a fresh twist into the mix: You don’t play as the legendary detective himself. Instead, you’re also a Victorian-era detective working with him. Intriguing, right?

The one thing I enjoyed about Sherlock Mysteries is that it is narrative-driven. Expect to read a bunch where the case slowly unfolds as you interview witnesses and visit locations. If you’re not much of a reader, the good news is that the narrative is fully voiced. It brings the characters and atmosphere to life, giving you all the Victorian London-era vibes.

If there’s one feature you’ll instantly notice after launching the game, it throws you into the deep end right away. There is no hand-holding, so don’t expect any tutorials so you’re eased into the game. It can be frustrating for some, but if you’re looking for a good mystery to solve, I’m sure you will relish the challenge as I do.

One thing I can complain about the game is that it only gives you one free case. Even though it takes a while to solve, unlocking additional ones requires you to spend. Just be prepared to invest some time or maybe a few bucks to become a master detective.

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Murder Mystery Machine: An iPad Must-Try

Murder Mystery Machine is a puzzle-solving-slash-deduction game with an introspective storyline. Play the game long enough, and you will question the suspects and your sanity.

Picture this: you are a new detective, diving headfirst into crime scenes. Your mission: unravel the mystery. To do this, you must look at every detail, even the slightest smear of blood on the glass.

Apart from the complex dioramas, another good thing about the game is how it allows you to organize the evidence effectively to build a compelling case. The opening scene feels like a detective movie, and I love how the tangled web of clues was illuminated by a crimson laser beam, weaving through the chaos of a crime scene. 

Critical thinking skills are paramount in playing the game. During the tutorial, I relied heavily on hints that resulted in a disappointing D grade. However, as I delved deeper, my analytical prowess improved, and I achieved an impressive A in the succeeding levels.

You can say that I got a bit of a hangover from the game, as the twist left me thinking about it all night, even after I completed the game. It is one of those games you won’t normally find on most “Best” or “Top” lists, but it’s one you must not miss.

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3 Most Popular Mystery Games for Android and iOS

Thimbleweed Park

There’s a reason why Thimbleweed Park is considered one of the most popular mystery games for Android and iOS. The story unfolds in, well, Thimbleweed Park. A sleepy town with a few dark secrets, and it’s up to you to connect the dots and figure it out. 

The gameplay is classic point-and-click, where you scour environments for clues and combine items. You will also get to engage in witty banter with the townsfolk.

As a mystery game, expect to solve a lot of puzzles. Most of them are clever and often require some serious head-scratching. The good part is that they don’t veer into frustrating territory, so you’ll always have fun.

My only complaint with the game is that it forces you to switch characters a lot. It can make the story feel disjointed at times. Even though it is one of the most recommended mystery games for Android and iOS, it is not for everyone with its dark and sometimes grim storyline. However, if you liked classics like Monkey Island, then I can’t recommend this enough.

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Duskwood – Detective Story

Duskwood is a realistic criminal case game with actual people. It is not particularly active. There’s no fighting or battling, but the fun is in uncovering clues.

It starts when Hannah disappears without a trace. Then, her boyfriend received a message from her phone with only one content: your phone number. Now, you’ll begin your investigation story. 

The game is actually quite good. It’s super interactive like you’re in a chatroom with real people. The endgame is to find the truth about a girl’s disappearance.  To do that, you’ll need to talk with some people and collect hidden evidence. 

Playing through the interactive text can get quite boring, especially if you prefer action games. But you’ll find engaging mini-games there too. You have to complete them every few minutes to continue with the story. My other complaint is that too many audio and videos require payment.   

Will you be able to find Hannah? Download Duskwood on your phone and start making decisions. Acquire clues that will lead you to the mysterious culprit. 

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An Elmwood Trail

There’s a reason why An Elmwood Trail is considered one of the best mystery games on both Android and iOS. It’s a captivating puzzler that hooked me the moment I received that fateful in-game message.

You take on the role of a disgraced detective handed a career lifeline of a lifetime by solving the case of a missing girl, Zoey. As with most small-town disappearances, it’s the only thing everyone talks about. Everyone is a potential suspect, and it’s up to you to navigate the web of quirky characters.

One thing you need to know about An Elmwood Trail is that it’s a slow-burn game mostly played by exchanging text messages, uncovering clues, and solving puzzles.

It does take quite a bit of reading, as most of the interactions between characters are done through messaging. However, once invested in the case, you’ll find it hard to put your device down.

Before You Go

If you’re into similar genres, I have reviewed the top puzzle games you can play on your tablet. You’ll also love adventure games, and here are some of the best ones to download on your Android tablet.