Let’s face it. We’re not going to see games made by Nintendo for the Apple mobile devices, so we have to rely on other developers to find a way to bring similar titles to the App Store. The Jim and Frank Mysteries is one such title; a Professor Layton clone that actually plays rather well and is extremely well priced.

You join the two friends for an adventure that begins in the small town of Tinyville; Jim is the shy brainiac, Frank is the mischievous joker and you’ll help them solve the game’s puzzles which cleverly tie into the narrative. For example you may be asked to extinguish all of the lights before you can enter the archives, or to fence off a group of pigs so that their owner can regain control of them. Each puzzle allows you two hints that can be purchased with the in-game currency known as Eurekas, plus a translucent canvas that can be used to sketch out a solution. The puzzle can be skipped altogether for a fair few more Eurekas but each scene in the game hides two away for you; if you find them all that’s three per scene, but they should only really be used as a last resort if you’re totally stuck.

There are ways around this problem though; you can either go with the quickest method simply buying more Eurekas via in-app purchase, or you can be smart and utilise the game’s multiple slot save system. You can use this to your advantage if you save during a tricky puzzle, skip it and then come back to it later if you either figure out the answer, or use a walk-through online.

The puzzles are genuinely entertaining and because they each come with their own unique graphics and mechanics, the game feels fun and fresh as a result. Submit a wrong answer and you’ll earn considerably less gold, but rely on the save-before and reset tactic and you should pass with top marks. Notably, the developer even included eight bonus mini-games that offer a welcome change of pace to the puzzle solving; chopping wood, navigating a maze with the accelerometer, or even potion brewing all have their little moments.

We’re somewhat divided on the presentation; while the background artwork can be terrific, the characters are mostly shallow and forgettable. We could have also done without the poor voice over, but at least the music for the game is catchy and well composed.

In all, yes it’s true that this title has much in common with the fantastic Professor Layton series, with many puzzles strikingly similar to some of those found in the Nintendo DS exclusive, and an interface that feels more than inspired. But at its current price, you can’t go wrong: 60 different puzzles works out at about a penny a puzzle. Good job!

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More by this developer

Wordulous, B

Review by Ben Briggs, June 24, 2009

WordsWorth, D

Review by Ben Briggs, April 10, 2009

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