I consider myself a lover of classic point and click adventure games. Growing up with games like Sam & Max, Return to Zork, Full Throttle, etc. I have fond memories of wasting hours on inane clicking and testing of key items. Recently released on the iPhone, G5 Entertainment’s “The Mystery of the Crystal Portal” follows the footsteps of this time-honored genre. While not nearly as memorable as the originals, Mystery of the Crystal Portal serves as an excellent fix for those looking for something similar to point-and-click classics, yet lighter.
 
The presentation of The Mystery of the Crystal Portal itself is fantastic. The game file is quite large, being around 57 MB in size, and it’s obvious why. Everything from the music, levels, and even menu screen itself are absolutely beautiful. Really capturing that feeling of the first time you played Myst, the world is gorgeous and immersive. I was particularly impressed with the intro panoramic at the beginning of each stage.  Since the game is largely pre-rendered, with the exception of some slightly moving backgrounds, G5 Entertainment can get away with such polished visuals without any hitches to the gameplay or frame rate. As The Mystery of the Crystal Portal requires you staring at static images for long periods, it’s intentionally noticeable that the graphics and style are so pretty.

The Mystery of the Crystal Portal’s plot follows journalist Nicole Rankvist on her quest to find her Archaeologist father who has gone missing on the brink of a giant, ground breaking discovery. The Mystery of the Crystal Portal’s plot is far from innovative but is more than adequate to imbue the game with the right atmosphere. Set in the 1920’s, the game gives off the air of Indiana Jones era mystique, rich with exotic world locales (5 levels across the world), adventuring scientists, and the general excitement of mystery and discovery.

My main problem with the game is the gameplay itself. Though generally solid and functional, The Mystery of the Crystal Portal at its core is a Where’s Waldo game. The game formula predominantly breaks down into a static backdrop in which the player must find several different “containers,” basically items that require you to find more key items. Once a container is clicked on, several images are shown surrounding the container, cataloging what items need to be found and placed in the said container to progress. The player is then tasked to find the items hidden throughout the backdrop of the level. There is no time penalty or clicking penalty. While this lack of penalties may seem too easy, it actually made the game far more relaxing and enjoyable for me. Though there are some other puzzles, you'll find yourself scanning your screen for hidden items for the vast majority of the game.

The items can be painfully hard to spot on a tiny iPhone screen, especially when the item looks exactly like its surroundings. Also, the menu buttons in each corner often partially cover an item, making it near impossible to find certain ones. Fortunately there is a “Hint” button which shows the location of an item, but it has a timed delay before being able to use it again.

If I could best sum up The Mystery of the Crystal Portal it would be as “Diet Myst.” While there is a similar feel and intrigue in the plot, setting, graphics, and tone, the overall puzzles in the game are nowhere near as complex to other point and click adventures. In reflection, now knowing now that the game is more of an “I-Spy” type item locator than an actual puzzle game, The Mystery of the Crystal Portal is a fantastic title. Just make sure you know what to expect before purchasing an otherwise beautifully crafted experience.

Download it on iTunes today