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Casual game developer Mumbo Jumbo first introduced us to its Midnight Mysteries series with Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allen Poe Conspiracy. The game set players to solving the mystery of the writer's untimely demise, which was, in real life, a mystery. Similarly, in Midnight Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials, players are asked to investigate the (entirely fictional in this case) suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Nathaniel Hawthorne, another famous 19th century New England resident and author.
Salem Witch Trials has the same spooky charm as its predecessor, taking players around a New England town completely deserted except for the ghosts of its former Puritan residents. With the aid of these unearthly villagers, players must uncover not only the reasons behind Hawthorne's death, but the political and commercial concerns underlying the infamous Salem witch trials and Hawthorne's connection to them.
The game follows the familiar hidden object formula of investigation, item collection, puzzle-solving and hidden object sequences. While there's nothing particularly inventive about the gameplay as a whole, the story, with its many interesting references to Hawthorne's novels and its shifts between both 17th and 19th century historical contexts (including mentions of the Civil War) keeps things interesting.
Continuing in the tradition of the first Midnight Mysteries game, the art is very well done and features a spectral mist that makes what could be very static 2D environments come creepily alive. Mystery fans, history buffs and hidden object enthusiasts should check out The Salem Witch Trials. The game is available now for download for $6.99 at BigFish Games.
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