| Core Identity |
| Developer | G5 Entertainment AB | wooga | wooga | Nordcurrent UAB | Mytona | Samfinaco LLC | Playrix | WEBELINX GAMES DOO |
| Category | Games | Games | Games | Games | Games | Games | Games | Games |
| Platform | iOS | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | iOS |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 93,416 | 323,988 | 40,123 | 108,971 | 94,786 | 183,371 | 214,225 | 13,657 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | Feb 20, 2014 | Dec 23, 2021 | May 6, 2015 | Oct 2, 2018 | Jul 30, 2015 | Feb 5, 2015 | Apr 28, 2020 | Jan 28, 2021 |
| Last Updated | May 5, 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 | Feb 12, 2026 | Apr 3, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Apr 30, 2026 | Apr 2, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | mixed | negative | mixed | mixed | mixed | mixed | mixed | - |
| Score | 45/100 | 32/100 | 55/100 | 45/100 | 45/100 | 75/100 | 45/100 | - |
| Praises | - Engaging hidden object gameplay provides a rewarding challenge for long-term players
| - Engaging Narrative
- Relaxing Experience
| - Engaging Gameplay
- Relaxing Experience
| - Engaging narrative storylines and high-quality voice acting keep players invested in the mystery
| - Engaging Gameplay
- High-Quality Graphics
| - Diverse puzzle variety within the core gameplay loop keeps sessions engaging and prevents boredom
| - Absence of forced advertisements allows for uninterrupted and immersive gameplay sessions
| - |
| Complaints | - Excessive in-game pop-ups and advertisements interrupt the core gameplay flow
| - Aggressive Monetization
- Technical Instability
| - Technical Stability and Crashes
- Account and Progress Loss
- Excessive Advertising
| - Aggressive energy consumption rates force long wait times that disrupt the core gameplay loop
| - Excessive Ads
- Technical Bugs and Crashes
- Loss of Progress
| - Excessive ad frequency and unskippable promotional content disrupt the flow of gameplay sessions
| - Forced transition from hidden object gameplay to match three mechanics alienates long-term players
| - |
| Requests | - Simplified account recovery and progress transfer tools for new devices
| - | - | - Alternative methods to earn energy such as watching advertisements or completing side tasks
| - | - | - Optional toggle to prioritize hidden object gameplay over match three mechanics
| - |
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - 13-language library functions as a B2B distribution moat into international markets
- Offline-first architecture removes connectivity-based acquisition barriers
| - Strong 1920s thematic consistency
- Weekly episodic content updates
- Deep social integration via Detective Clubs
| - Superior island customization (Artemis Island) compared to static-map rivals
- Cohesive 1930s 'Golden Age' aesthetic and high-quality hand-drawn art
- Strong long-term retention among veteran players (multi-year tenure)
| - Episodic narrative structure sustains long-term player retention
- 1930s atmospheric design differentiates from supernatural-themed competitors
| - 10-year content library and established lore
- Unique multi-genre puzzle integration (Match-3 + HO)
- Strong social 'Guild' infrastructure
| - Victorian-mystery narrative creates a distinct atmospheric hook
- Offline-play capability sustains DAU during travel
- 52-building restoration loop provides long-term progression
| - Cohesive mystery atmosphere drives initial engagement
- Renovation meta-loop provides long-term aesthetic goals
- Team-based card exchange creates community accountability
| - |
| Weaknesses | - 45/100 sentiment score driven by ad-frequency complaints
- Late-stage progression difficulty spikes force IAP-gated churn
| - Frequent ad-related crashes
- Perceived pay-to-win progression balance
- Unresponsive customer support
| - Frequent technical crashes and freezes in recent versions (v9.11.x)
- Unreliable account sync/save-game features leading to progress loss
- Aggressive ad strategy with reports of 90-second unskippable ads
| - Energy recharge rate is prohibitively slow for free-to-play users
- Multi-year gaps between chapter releases drive long-term churn
| - Critical technical bugs causing progress loss
- Aggressive ad frequency (30s ads per 90s play)
- App crashes and loading screen failures in recent versions
| - High ad-frequency drives uninstall intent
- Technical ad-playback failures cause progress loss
- Aggressive monetization pop-ups trigger churn
| - Forced match-3 pivot alienates hidden-object purists
- Technical instability post-update causes black screens
- Aggressive difficulty spikes create pay-to-win perception
| - |
| Pricing | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium |
| Momentum | Steady | Active | Maintenance | Maintenance | Active | Active | Active | Intense |
| Update Cadence | 3 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~18d avg | 3 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~12d avg | 2 versions, ~6d avg | 5 versions, ~149d avg | 2 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~0d avg | 5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~7d avg | 5 versions, 5 majors/6mo, ~12d avg | 5 versions |
