- The Mermaid Mask ios: Currently available on PC, PS5, and Switch; mobile users can play via Remote Play or Cloud Gaming.
- Core Gameplay: A hand-painted 2D mystery featuring 3D evidence inspection and logic-based deductions.
- Main Objective: Solve the locked-room murder of Captain Magnus Mortuga aboard the Mortuga submarine.
- Key Mechanic: Use the Case File and Notebook to track testimony and link physical clues to suspects.
- Top Strategy: Rotate every 3D object 360 degrees to find hidden hotspots like labels, switches, or damage.
Platform Availability and iOS Status
As of July 2026, The Mermaid Mask has officially launched on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5. While a native The Mermaid Mask ios port has not been released by SFB Games on the App Store yet, mobile gamers have several reliable methods to experience Detective Grimoire's latest case on iPhone and iPad.
If you want to play on your iOS device today, use Steam Link or PS Remote Play. These apps allow you to stream the game from your PC or console directly to your iPhone with full touch-screen or controller support.
| Platform | Status | Release Date | Control Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Available | July 16, 2026 | Mouse and Keyboard |
| Nintendo Switch | Available | July 16, 2026 | Joy-Con / Pro Controller |
| PlayStation 5 | Available | July 17, 2026 | DualSense Controller |
| iOS / Mobile | Remote Play Only | TBD (Native) | Touch / Mobile Controller |
The developer, SFB Games, has a history of bringing their detective titles (like Tangle Tower) to mobile platforms. Fans should monitor official social media channels for announcements regarding a dedicated mobile version later in 2026.
Core Mechanics and Investigation Loop
The investigation in The Mermaid Mask follows a structured loop that requires players to balance exploration, interrogation, and physical evidence analysis. Unlike traditional point-and-click adventures, this game emphasizes the tactile feel of objects.
Explore & Inspect
- Search every room for highlighted objects.
- Rotate 3D clues to find hidden symbols.
- Unlock compartments using visual logic.
Question Suspects
- Exhaust all topics with the crew.
- Present new evidence to trigger reactions.
- Identify contradictions in testimonies.
Form Deductions
- Link statements to physical proof.
- Build timelines in the Notebook.
- Confront suspects with proven facts.
Always check your Notebook after a major discovery. It will highlight which characters have new dialogue available based on the evidence you just found.
Essential Puzzle Solutions Guide
The puzzles aboard the Mortuga submarine range from mechanical switchboards to complex visual classifications. Success requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to correlate environmental clues with interactive devices.
The table below contains direct solutions to major early-game puzzles. Only use these if you are truly stuck!
| Room | Puzzle Name | Logic / Hint | Final Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mess Hall | Snake Cabinet | Shape sides as numbers | 3, 9, 7, 4 |
| Child's Room | Portrait Cards | Patricia in center | Resize outer dolls, add fish-eye lenses |
| Control Room | Switchboard | Connect specific sockets | Red 1-9, Blue 3-11, Yellow 6-12 |
| Engine Room | Four Compasses | Relational directions | Yellow L, Blue D, Pink 2:00, Red UL |
| Women's Bunk | Pink Pig Safe | Branch addition | Upper: 3, 4, 1 / Lower: 5, 9, 2 |
Analyze the Mechanism
Before clicking anything, observe the puzzle's UI. Look for numbers, symbols, or colors that match clues found in other rooms.
Consult the Hint System
Sally provides tiered hints. The first hint is always a vague nudge, while the final hint almost gives away the logic.
Execute the Solution
Input the codes or move the pieces as described in the table above to unlock the next story trigger.
Full Walkthrough: Prologue & Chapter One
The story begins at the Stonetop Inn before transitioning to the main setting: the Mortuga submarine. Follow this route to ensure you don't miss any critical evidence required for the final confrontation.
Prologue: The Arrival
- Stonetop Inn: Inspect the red Case File and the book The Hex of the Helmsmen. Wake Sally to proceed.
- Town Square: Inspect the glowing green light area. Speak to Sally to trigger the submarine's surfacing.
- Fore Deck: Board the ship and enter the Parlor. Activate the lever to restore lighting.
- Mess Hall: Solve the Snake Cabinet puzzle (3-9-7-4) to unlock the path to the Illusion Theatre.
- Illusion Theatre: Inspect the crime scene. Examine the Stone Cauldron, the chalk outline, and the Ragged Sail Cloth.
Completing the first deduction screen—concluding that Magnus Mortuga was killed by something inside the cauldron—officially begins Chapter One: The Curse in the Cauldron.
Chapter One: The Main Investigation
- Child's Room: Solve the portrait puzzle to obtain the Glass Eyeball. Use it to unlock the Captain's Cabin later.
- Control Room: Meet Sinthia Seafoam. Solve the switchboard (1-9, 3-11, 6-12) to get the Captain's Log.
- Bunk Rooms: Unlock Dirk's phone and find the Inn Deeds under Sinthia's mattress.
- Cargo Hold: Interview Mariana Moon. Once you meet all 8 suspects, complete the Crew Location Pinboard.
| Character | Role | Primary Location | Key Evidence Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinthia Seafoam | Acting Captain | Control Room | Captain's Log, Inn Deeds |
| Symmetry Silkmoth | Illusionist | Child's Room | Glass Eyeball, Sail Cloth |
| Dirk Dansom | Actor | Men's Bunk Room | Locked Phone, Recording |
| Madam Tadpole | "Mermaid" | Airlock Grotto | Diving Helmet, Sighting |
Clue and Evidence Catalog
Every item you collect is stored in your inventory for 3D inspection. Some clues are mandatory for the plot, while others provide deep lore or unlock optional achievements.
When inspecting a 3D object, look for small white circles. These are "hotspots." You must click all of them to "fully register" the clue in your Notebook.
| Clue Name | Category | Location Found | Investigation Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain's Log | Document | Control Room | Reveals Mortuga's private plans |
| Glass Eyeball | Key Item | Child's Room | Unlocks the Captain's Cabin door |
| Inn Deeds | Property | Women's Bunk | Proves a financial link to Mortuga |
| Dictaphone | Recording | Cargo Hold | Captures secret crew conversations |
| Repaired Compass | Mechanical | Engine Room | Triggers reactions from Gripp |
Achievement Checklist and Completion
For players aiming for 100% completion on Steam or future platforms, there are 21 achievements to track. Most are story-related, but several require meticulous exploration.
Critical Achievement Milestones:
- Cabinet Cracker: Open the snake cabinet in the Mess Hall.
- Know Your Crew: Question all 8 primary suspects.
- A Place for Everyone: Complete the Cargo Hold pinboard.
- Evidence Collector: Register every physical clue in the game.
- No Stone Unturned: Fully inspect every 3D object's hotspots.
- Case Closed: Complete the final murder reconstruction.
The Private Caller achievement requires you to read every message and call log on Dirk's phone. Ensure you scroll through all tabs before exiting the phone interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a native The Mermaid Mask ios app?
Currently, no. The game is available on PC, PS5, and Switch. You can play on iOS via streaming services like Steam Link or Remote Play while waiting for a potential mobile port.
Q: How do I solve the diving helmet puzzle in the Airlock Grotto?
You must rotate the pipe dials so the symbols at the start and end of each pipe route match. Start from the center and work your way outward to the helmet's seals.
Q: What should I do if I'm stuck and can't find new evidence?
Check your map for rooms with a '!' icon. If no icons appear, revisit the 3D clues in your inventory and ensure you have clicked every hotspot (white circle) on every side of the object.
Q: Can I fail the final deduction in The Mermaid Mask?
You cannot permanently fail. If you choose the wrong evidence or conclusion, Grimoire and Sally will provide a hint explaining why that choice doesn't fit the timeline, allowing you to try again.