Quick summary
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a puzzle-driven adventure now available for iPhone, originally released on the Nintendo DS. You play as Sissel, a spirit determined to piece together the events surrounding his death. The game blends a twist-filled mystery with inventive interactions that let you influence the world to change outcomes and protect the living.
Core gameplay
Players use Sissel’s supernatural talents to explore short scenes and manipulate objects to alter the course of events. Puzzles require observation and creative thinking rather than pure reflexes, and many challenges ask you to chain small actions together so that a single change cascades into a different ending for a character or situation.
Narrative and tone
The story unfolds through compact vignettes that steadily reveal secrets about Sissel’s identity and the people around him. The plot mixes humor and suspense, and each solved puzzle advances both the mystery and the emotional stakes, creating a satisfying blend of plot-driven motivation and mechanical reward.
Key strengths
- Inventive puzzles that reward experimentation and lateral thinking
- Tight episodic structure that keeps scenes focused and engaging
- Distinct characters and writing that balance wit with intrigue
- Controls and presentation adapted well to touchscreens, preserving the original charm
Games you might also enjoy
- Monument Valley — a visually striking, geometry-based puzzler with calm, contemplative levels
- Braid: Anniversary Edition — a time-manipulation platformer centered on clever puzzle design and a layered narrative
- The Silent Age — story-led point-and-click adventure with an emphasis on time-based mechanics and atmosphere
Final impression
If you like thoughtful puzzles tied to a strong, twisty story, Ghost Trick delivers a memorable experience. Its blend of unique mechanics and character-driven mystery makes it worth trying for fans of narrative puzzle games.
Technical
- iPhone
- Full