The Top 10 Crime/Mystery Games for iOS and Android
Who doesn't enjoy a good mystery here and then, especially when you can be part of the story and play a part into uncovering the secrets behind crimes. Considering how popular the crime/mystery genre is in game apps, we decided to create a list with the best of them for you to choose from.
For your convenience, the list begins with Freemiums and ends with Paid games. Enjoy!
Agent Alice (iOS, Android) by wooga, Freemium
Agent Alice is a new hidden-objects game that takes place in the 60s, a wonderful period for many people. The main character is Alice Wallace, a detective in The Agency, who solves riddling cases that appear in every part of the world. During her adventures, you (Alice) have the chance to meet many other characters, suspects or not, in different parts of the world. For instance, a couple of interesting characters include a war veteran and a journalist (more in our review here).
Similarly to most hidden objects games, Agent Alice’s story is split into episodes, with each one unfolding a new mystery and taking place in different locations.
Hidden Objects: Mystery Crimes (iOS) by TeamLava, Freemium
Mystery Crimes was one of the 1st hidden-objects games that I had the pleasure of playing. It keeps true to its genre, with the main goal being finding the necessary objects in order to uncover each crime (e.g. murders, theft, kidnappings etc.). You play as a detective and all of the cases take place in modern times. Except for the hidden objects, which are the game’s main course, the player is asked to proceed to other acts such as rearranging documents, finding fingerprints, analyzing evidence, and many more.
Apart from the main detective, who is controlled by you, other characters will make an appearance to give a helping hand and offer some variety to the game. Several game modes will also make things more challenging for you as well, if you desire to spice things up by making the puzzles harder.
Mystery Crimes is a freemium that includes IAP for the purpose of buying items easier, instead of waiting to collect them by playing and it is by no means forced to the player.
Criminal Case (iOS, Android) by Pretty Simple, Freemium
In Criminal Case game you join the Police of Grimsborough to solve a series of murder cases. As with previous games listed, it is a hidden-objects game with other additions, including (but not limited to): suspect interrogations, evidence analyzing, and examining clues. There is a variety of characters in this game; each one has his own, specific task, and you control the main detective.
It includes IAP for buying items and/or energy but it is optional. Also, keep in mind that the game asks you to let it connect with your Facebook account in exchange for energy, but think twice before doing that because it will spam your TL and friends with your game progress, and if you choose to deactivate it, it will erase your progress. Other than that it is a great crime game to play.
All Guns Blazing (iOS, Android) by Mobile Gaming Studios, Freemium
Unlike the previous games on the list, All Guns Blazing takes a different route both in terms of plot and gameplay. In this game you aim to climb the criminal ranks, join a cartel and win over all the other Raid bosses. Your goal is to create or join cartels in order to take down the rest criminal clans; you can even fight against other players PvP mode and destroy their bases. Your goals include raiding banks, businesses, and other sources of cash for you to build your empire.
The 3D visuals create an amazing atmosphere and add to the action packed gameplay. Try it out if you want something different than the usual hidden objects games, and to take a look on the other side of the law.
The Wolf Among Us (iOS, Android) by Telltale Inc, Partially Freemium
If you’re familiar with the DC/Vertigo comic book “Fables”, this game will keep you on your toes in each and every episode that you play. The Wolf Among Us is an episodic, graphic, adventure video game, with the 1st season consisting of 5 episodes. The player controls the main character that goes by the name Bigby Wolf, and can move, examine and interact with other characters or objects. What’s interesting is that with every choice the player makes (for example, the answers you give during conversations), future events are influenced according to those choices. The story goes like this: Long ago, a tyrant, Adversay, took control of all the mythical lands that we know from tales and legends. In order to escape the Adversary's tyranny, many creatures and characters known as “fables” came to our world and created a town- Fabletown- in colonial America, where Manhattan is now located. To not be noticed by humans, fables have to purchase a “glamour”, which is an object that gives them the power to take human form. Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf), is the sheriff of Fabletown and the guardian of the Fables that reside in it. It’s a gorgeous game that will make you ask for more every time an episode is over. Definitely a must for fans of mystery-suspense type of games.
LAYTON BROTHERS MYSTERY ROOM (iOS, Android) by Level-5 Inc., Partially Freemium
If you have played any of the “Professor Layton” game series then you know why this game is on the list. In Layton Brothers you research and uncover crime cases in the so called “Mystery Room” deep within Scotland Yard. The characters that make an appearance are the genius investigator- inspector Alfendi Layton and his newly assigned assistant, Detective Constable Lucy Baker.
Together you solve various mysteries, by investigating crime scenes, examining evidence and witnesses, and uncovering the criminals by clever deductions based on their contradictions.
It’s a wonderful game to play and the first two cases are offered for free. The rest are available through IAP, though.
Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies (iOS) by CAPCOM, Partially Freemium
Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is the 2nd port on iOS devices, with the first one being the Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright Trilogy HD that was released about two years ago. In DD the story takes place in the “Dark Age of Law” that begun in the Apollo Justice game series and continues in this one. In this first case, which is called “Turnabout Countdown”, you must defend and prove the innocence of a young girl who is accused of setting a bomb in court. Apart from Phoenix Wright, the other supportive characters are Athena and Apollo, each one with his own unique ability that helps solving a case.
It’s a must-have for those who want to play a crime type of game that goes beyond the realistic boundaries, with great cases, likable characters, and top-notch graphics. The 1st case is available for free and the rest can be purchased through IAP.
FRAMED (iOS) by Loveshack, $4.99
FRAMED is an amazing puzzle game that deserves every praise it has received. It gives the same feeling as reading a comic book, only that this time players can influence the outcome. In the game's story, our hero is either arrested, or worse, killed by the police in every page. The player must rearrange the order of the panels to help him escape without a scratch. Later throughout the game, the panels have the property of spinning around, which makes things even more interesting and complicated than they already were.
Space Marshals (iOS, Android) by Pixelbite, $4.99
Space Marshals take the cowboy battles to space, hunting fugitives before they cause trouble. The player is transported to the Wild West of space, where marshal Burton must take down fugitives that escaped after a prison break. It’s a tactical top-down shooter where weaponry is everything. Body armors, grenades, shotguns, handguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, crossbows, energy weapons, throwing axes and more are at your disposal. You can carry one two-handed and one single-handed weapon in each mission. But weapons are useless if you don’t know how to take cover and how to approach enemies without being seen. Regarding the game's plot, it is actually very intriguing, and is divided in three chapters. You should keep in mind that what you pay for at first, is only chapter one. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, cowboys and shooter-games, Space Marshals will keep you good company.
Detective Grimoire (iOS, Android) by Armor Games Inc, $3.99
Detective Grimoire is a murder mystery point-and-click game in which the player is actively helping to solve the mystery instead of waiting for it to be unfolded by the characters. The case is a murder that took place in a swamp with the victim being the owner, and all clues lead to a mythical creature that is believed to live in the swamp. Now, it’s up to you and detective Grimoire to solve the mystery.
You will be tasked with solving puzzles, collecting clues, exploring the crime scene, interrogating suspects and make investigations in many more ways. In order to make some progress in the case, you will have to show the right clue, or bring up the right subject to discuss, to the right person. The game’s strong point is exactly the active way in which you help to bring forth the truth. It is worth the money and you’ll ask for more once it’s over.
And we reached the end of our Top 10 Criminal/Mystery games list. We hope you found what you have been looking for in it. Let us know which ones you picked and your impressions in the comments below.
