Puzzles games have predominantly found their way onto mobile devices. These games lend themselves to touch screens and for on-the-go gaming. When companies attempt to move games from mobile to console, the results are often disastrous.
However, this is not the case with Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek which was moved from PC to console by developer Artifex Mundi. Although the game itself has not changed in the move – outside the controls – it definitely has opened this game up to a wider audience.
Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek is outstanding. The puzzles are engaging and fun, ranging from look-and-find, to jigsaw puzzles, to puzzles that will take a bit of intellect to figure out. Each puzzle also serves a purpose, as they will either open up new areas of the game, reward you with a specific item you might need, or provide you evidence for your evidence board on your hotel
You begin as a young, female detective looking into the disappearance of a young girl in Maple Creek. Upon your arrival, a storm hits leaving you in a confused daze. As you piece together your real purpose in the town, you unravel a surprisingly rich and complex story that will take you on numerous twists and turns.
The story was really what surprised me most about Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek. I wasn’t expecting to be so engaged and curious about what might happen next. While there really isn’t a huge secret in who the ultimate villain was in the story, the way it unfolded was interesting, and very mysterious. Fortunately – or unfortunately, depending on where you stand – we won’t talk more and potentially spoil what unfolds.
There are a few minor annoyances with this release which I personally would have liked to see with the transition to console. A fast travel option would have been a nice addition, especially late in the game when you criss-cross over multiple screens to collect items and fix puzzles. Also, I found some of the voice acting to be a bit subpar, although never to a point of taking me out of the usually excellent experience.
Overall, Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek is an excellent puzzle title that will over you 4-6 hours of quality entertainment for a fairly low price of entry. If you are looking to settle in and work through a real mystery via puzzles, look no further than this title! I’d easily give it a 8/10.
Adam Roffel has only been writing about video games for a short time, but has honed his skills completing a Master's Degree. He loves Nintendo, and almost anything they have released...even Tomodachi Life.
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