5 Mystery Games Worth Trying

Few things in life are as enjoyable as a good mystery. Vanishings, riddles, and crimes that make the cogs of the mind overwork, offer a unique and interactive experience. So if you are ready to take part in complex and obscure investigations and to solve demanding cases, you must give the following titles a try. 

Thus, put on your hat, grab a pair of glasses and a pipe, and prepare yourself to dive into a world full of enigmas!

Awe-inspiring Mystery Games

5) Nancy Drew Series

The first title of the Nancy Drew series was released back in the distant 1998 and, since then, it has been a huge success. Its story is based on the homotitled mystery books, following the young Nancy Drew as she tries to crack intricate cases around the world. Having released more than thirty video games -Yeap, if you end up liking it you’re gonna have countless other titles of the series to choose from. It guarantees to excite mystery lovers and detective enthusiasts. Through a first-person perspective and interactions with minor characters and objects, this first-person game challenges the player to solve demanding puzzles, to reach the culprit. However, it should be noted that this game isn’t addressed to the ones who seek a stunning visual experience, since the importance is attached solely to the mystery. Thus, if you’re willing to overlook that, you’re going to have an awesome time!

Available on: PC, Mac, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS

4) Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy)

Fahrenheit was released in 2005 by the French production company Quantic Dream and is an interactive drama action-adventure/ mystery video game. Its story begins when a young man, Lucas, gets possessed by demons and kills a man. Starting to have hallucinations, he struggles to crack the case while, at the same time, he is being chased by the police. The player controls both Lucas and Carla, one of the detectives who has taken over his arrest... Great script, third-person perspective, and three different endings (good, mediocre, and bad) contribute to making this game a classic of its kind. The graphics will not ravish you - since it is an old title, but the story of its interactive drama and its particular mystery will captivate you. Give it a shot!

Available on: Microsoft Windows, PS2, Xbox, PS4, Xbox 360, Linux, Mac OS.

3) Tex Murphy Series

Tex Murphy is a series of adventure/mystery video games, designed by Chris Jones. Starring Tex Murphy and being an old guard, its first title was released in 1989 and since then the mystery has not stopped. The player takes a tour in a post-apocalyptic world of the twenty-first century, as he tries to gather evidence and interact with non-playable characters, in order to solve the case. The game is played through a first-person perspective, with simple and convenient point-and-click controls. However, the cutscenes consist of full motion videos, with jaw-dropping details and exceptional music. I highly recommend it, as it offers a unique experience and worths every minute of your time!

Available on: MS-DOS, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, Microsoft Windows, OS X.

2) L.A. Noir

L.A. Noire was released in 2011 by Rockstar Games, developed by Team Bondi. With a cinematic, breathtaking narrative and expressive characters, it unfolds its impactful story through Cole Phelps, a police officer who gets promoted to detective. It’s set in the post-war Los Angeles of the 1940s and it deals with murders, drug trafficking, arsonists, and much more. This atmospheric game is reminiscent of a film-noir, as its title suggests, and it has a unique structure. By using third-person-perspective and convenient controls, it manages to convey intense feelings and make the player part of its story. There's a lot of shooting and driving, but at its core, it focuses on the investigation. It conveys some pretty philosophical messages, such as about the inner decay and corruption that secretly exists beneath what seems to be glamour. This mystery game is loved as a few of its kind and it has a huge influence on later titles. It’s a must!

Available on: Microsoft Windows, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.

1) Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments was released in 2014 and is a creation of the Ukrainian studio Frogwares. Inspired by the mystery series of the same name starring the famous detective, it soon managed to become a favorite. This mystery game features six separate, complex cases that, even though they are not directly related to each other, they revolve around mutual morals. The story has a dark and hazy British atmosphere, that helps to get the player in the desirable mood, while the controls are easy and convenient. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments continually tests the player's abilities. Its labyrinthine cases need to be solved through inductive reasoning, meaning that you need to aim at developing a theory by collecting evidence -pretty much, you have to do what a detective does. Even though its puzzles and riddles are not particularly difficult (so mystery-solving veterans may get somewhat disappointed), it offers a unique experience, full of enigmas and mini-games. Highly recommended, it’s a top of its kind!

Available on: Microsoft Windows, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One.