You hear the words "Downton Abbey" and your mind goes to the early 1900s soapy drama. You hear the words "video game," and more than likely, you think of shooting things.
What happens when you create a Downton Abbey video game? Thankfully, it's not the scenario described above. Although the thought of mowing down bad guys as a rifle-toting, wise-cracking Maggie Smith does hold a certain appeal. But what would you shoot? Servants who embarrass the Crawleys?
Instead, Downton Abbey: Mysteries of the Manor is a hidden object game for smartphones and tablets. Featuring characters from the series, the game is set inside the famous estate. There's even a story that sets things into motion, about an intruder ransacking the mansion and leaving its treasures hidden all over the place.
Because intruders totally do that.
In the game, you have to search Downton's every room to locate the missing items and Sherlock the truth behind the break-in. The mansion has a map laid out similarly to the board game Clue, allowing you to easily traverse from one room to another. Once you find a treasure, you return it to its rightful owner, which earns you trust from Downton's familiar characters, in turn unlocking new rooms to explore.
"But in a place where everyone has something to hide," says Activision's press release, "no one is above suspicion."
At least it's something to do while you're waiting for the show to return — which for U.S. audiences, isn't until January.
Downton Abbey: Mysteries of the Manor is available now as a free download from iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.
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