Catch Ruby La Rouge if you can in Agent A: A puzzle in disguise

Agent A: A puzzle in disguise ($2.99) by Yak & co is a puzzle adventure game that has you take on the role of an undercover agent who has been assigned to stop a deadly enemy spy. If you enjoy point-and-click games that are filled with challenging puzzles to solve, then Agent A is going to be right up your alley.

It seems that lately, whenever I have some spare time, I have been turning to my iPhone for entertainment much more, especially since I picked up the 6s Plus model this year. And personally, nothing is more entertaining than a good game on iOS, so I was intrigued when I heard some talk about Agent A on my Twitter timeline. I’m always up for an adventure, and when puzzles are involved that make you think? Well, I’m sold!

The art style for Agent A is stunningly beautiful with a ’60s theme, even though it still falls under the cartoonish appearance. The animated cutscenes in the game play out nicely, even though it has a bit of a gritty feel, and it feels more or less like you are watching an action-packed spy cartoon when they unfold. During the actual gameplay itself, the visuals are much more crisp and smooth, and there are seamless transitions between cutscene and game. Colors in Agent A are vibrant and rich, with fluid animations throughout. The soundtrack is rather suspenseful when it plays, but there will be silent moments as you solve puzzles and progress through the story, making the agent role feel rather realistic.

Controls in Agent A are simple and intuitive, especially if you’ve already played point-and-click type games before. When you are presented with various scenarios, you can get a closer look and inspect specific objects in the scene just by tapping on it. If it is something that can be interacted with, the scene will zoom in, but if it isn’t, then nothing will happen. When you find objects that are needed to solve puzzles, such as keys, just tap on them to stash it into your inventory, and drag them onto other objects when necessary to use them. Other puzzles may need things like a proper sequence of button presses or specific combinations on a lock. and you can interact with these objects directly. When things are correct, you will move into the next area or scenario, and cutscenes flow nicely with the gameplay.

In the beginning of the game, you will be given a straightforward mission by your chief during a briefing. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, you will find yourself on your own and while the overall mission remains the same, the game breaks things down into smaller missions in order for you to make progress. You can always pause the game and check on what the current quest is, in case you forgot. There will be buttons for playing back scenes you’ve already watched as well. Agent A also has Game Center integration for achievements too, which is perfect for those achievement point hoarders.

I’m still fairly early on in Agent A, but so far I’m enjoying the game a lot. The graphical style is gorgeous and will definitely appeal to fans of the ’60s. The music and sound effects are a fantastic touch, controls are simple and straightforward, the puzzles are rather challenging, and the storyline is captivating. If you are a fan of adventure puzzles with a thrilling spy aspect to it, then this is a game for you.

Agent A: A puzzle in disguise is a universal download on the App Store for just $2.99.