by Ashley Raybourn

Created on: February 15, 2009   Last Updated: February 17, 2009

Does the economic crisis have your vacation plans on hold? Do not fret, you've been sent to explore New York City as a Private Investigator! In Mystery PI: New York Fortune (by SpinTop Games), the family of a NYC billionaire has hired you to find his will within 17 hours or else his pets with inherit. Search Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, and more as you look for the clues that will lead you to the will.

This time crunch seek-and-find game is much like the others of this genre but adds a touch of the familiar with known NYC locations. Some of the objects are easy to find while others may require the use of a hint. Be careful when reading the clue list, the wording can be tricky and throw you off track and sometimes you have to decipher the play on words. In addition to the objects you will need to find, you can also collect apples and keys (25 each) to unlock the unlimited game modes. Between groups of seek-and-find puzzles you will need to solve a mini-puzzle, such as a picture scramble or 3-way match, in order to uncover vital clues for your quest. Earn points by finding objects and finding them quickly to increase your Private Investigator Rank!

Mystery PI: New York Fortune is very easy to play and simply involves pointing and clicking with the mouse. No un-necessary story to read here, just an opening letter to you, the Private Investigator. The graphics are smooth and do not cause the computer to skip or drag. The only animation occurs when you click on an object, the hint button, and during the mini-puzzle games. Background music is just that: in the background! It is not the focus of the game but sets the mood perfectly for a mystery. Mystery PI: New York Fortune is easy to play and pleasing to both eye and ear.

The full version of this game boasts twenty-five New York City locations to search through, three different game modes, and five mini-games. The three game modes are: Find NY Fortune, Unlimited Seek-and-Find, and Spot the Difference. For $19.99 you can have your own private tour as Private Eye in New York City. There are numerous downloadable seek-and-find games online, meaning there is something for everybody. Mystery PI: New York Fortune is not innovative or a fresh new idea by any means, but does provide a nice twist and different option for lovers of the seek-and-find genre.

Rating: 4/5

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