# Circulous — A narrative mystery > First-person narrative mystery puzzle game with immersive storytelling and interactive puzzles. (iPhone/iPad app by Chain Reaction Games LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circulous/id1468310817 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Chain Reaction Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/969795617) - Category: Games, Adventure, Puzzle - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 4.20/5 from 184 App Store ratings · 80 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 985 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2020-08-12 - Data updated: 2026-08-25 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circulous/id1468310817/reviews.md ## What is Circulous? Pay once, play forever! Circulous is an episodic mystery narrative puzzle game. In this first-person game, you take on the persona of Amanda Trouser. You have just been let go from your job. After packing your things, you wonder what you are going to do with the rest of your life. How will you afford your apartment? On the subway ride home you see an add for a job opening at Circulous…it’s almost as if the ad was put there just for you! You apply, and you end up hired! That is only the beginning of the story. Your work at Circulous is exciting, but soon you realize there may be more to this company than you’ve ever imagined. Corporate espionage, conspiracy theories and moral dilemmas lead you through challenging puzzles that will test your wits, your allegiances, and what you think you know about…everything. Engagement This puzzle game pulls you in and makes it as immersive as possible. Scenes use parallax movement to make it feel like you are in Amanda’s world. The opening scene (in which you are fired) uses story and humor to quickly place you in Amanda’s shoes. Each scene is an animated environment that invites you to explore and notice things that may or may not be important to the story or puzzles. The use of your phone (or iPad) is an intuitive way to keep you in the game but also make it feel as if you are truly using your device alongside the game and not just a gimmick. The OS feels like a true OS and makes the immersive nature of the game much more enjoyable. ## Key features - First-person narrative gameplay - Mystery and conspiracy storyline - Challenging puzzles - Animated environments - Immersive parallax movement - Intuitive in-game device interaction ## Chart rankings - #175 in Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store) ## What do users think of Circulous? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🧩 Creative and clever puzzles with good difficulty balance - 💡 Innovative in-game smartphone interface and mechanics - 📖 Engaging mystery storyline that captivates players - 🎵 Well-designed audio and music elements - 👨‍💼 Responsive developer support and helpful hints system - 🎮 Addictive gameplay that holds attention for extended periods - 🔍 Observation-based puzzle design requiring attention to detail - ⭐ High-quality production value and unique game concept **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and game freezes throughout gameplay - 🐛 Persistent bugs in Act 2 and later chapters - 👀 Small text and UI elements difficult to read on mobile devices - ⏳ Excessive real-time waiting mechanics (11+ hours to progress) - 🔄 Unresponsive controls and laggy app switching - 📱 Screen rotation and orientation detection issues - 🎯 Overly obscure puzzles requiring external knowledge (Morse code, nomolid) - 💰 Limited content relative to price point **Commonly reported bugs** - Game crashes when entering shifty.com/invisible or shifty.com/door/15 - Ryde app shows 'no routes available' preventing progression - Text message reply interface fails to display responses - Cloud save reloads prevent continuing gameplay - Computer/app windows fail to open or display properly - Screen becomes blurry or frozen when navigating between scenes - Magnifying glass and mailbox clickable elements unresponsive - Inventory locked preventing item placement - Game crashes when rotating device to access phone interface - Crashes when opening specific messages (HR rep email) - Decoder grid displays empty with missing elements - Keyboard remains on screen after typing, blocking puzzle content - File names overlap and display incorrectly - Game hangs with background music continuing after exit - Compatibility issues with iOS 14 memory allocation - Bird box combination numbers too small to read accurately - Puzzle solutions don't work despite correct answers - Game crashes on first puzzle when placing items in box **Most requested features** - In-game hints and walkthrough system accessible without Discord or email - More frequent content updates and new chapters - Skip or difficulty adjustment options for challenging puzzles - Ability to disable music - Improved hint system with escalating difficulty levels - Larger, more readable text and UI elements - Reduced real-time waiting mechanics ## Recent user reviews (10 of 80) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circulous/id1468310817/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Unfortunate *2026-05-11* Amazing game, but still only 2 out of the promised 12 chapters out and that is disappointing for a game that has been out for 5 years now. Quite misleading to promise all 12 chapters for the price when it seems like I’ll get to chapter 11 on my deathbed at this rate. Please take this game off the back burner!! ### 3/5 — Unfinished years later *2026-05-03* This is an incredible game! Don’t get me wrong but I bought this game over 5 years ago with the promise of 12 chapters… and there is still only two which is very disappointing. I love this game so much but we paid for a full game! ### 3/5 — I like it so far but it’s really buggy *2025-12-30* Interesting and creative puzzles with a good level of difficulty. I like the mystery vibe. I’m stuck because I can’t send a reply to a text message and the cloud save is too recent. It’s about a dna sample and I in the middle of responding I checked my (actual) email. And when I came back it reloaded and would not display any responses. There have been bugs/glitches in nearly every scene, from glitching backgrounds to requiring entering the settings before a phone rotation is registered. This is a pretty streamlined game with very few options so having so many bugs is extra frustrating. ### 2/5 — My eyes hurt 🤓😳 *2025-12-22, version 2.1.1* 1) The game is glitchy. 2) Don’t even bother if you don’t have great eyesight. ### 5/5 — Hints please *2025-02-11* Please please put the game hints on the game! I don’t have discord & I sometimes need help, there is no walk through online & I appreciate the devs help but I have to email them every time, can you plz make hints on the game even suggestions!!! I still haven’t finished this game I bought 5 years ago :( **Developer response:** Sorry you’re having trouble — email me at help@chainreactiongames.org and I can help you! ### 5/5 — I love the game but 1 problem *2024-11-10* I love ❤️this game, but whenever I’m in shifty void and the second computer turns on it kicks me out! Please fix this issue. But everything else is fine. Perfect for all ages. I’m so addicted. TANKS FOR MAKING THIS INCREDIBLE GAME. ### 2/5 — Crashing *2024-11-04, version 2.1* Crashing. Was 2024 too late to buy this puzzle? I solved the delivered box easily but get an empty grid with a dot and arrows on the interceptor, and the decoder has now vanished. I want to finish this game but it has to work. ### 1/5 — Five stars for Act one. Negative Four stars for Act Two *2024-07-17, version 2.1* Why oh why would the developers make you wait to catch a taxi. I played Act One which was challenging and fun. But I didn’t play it for long periods of time. In Act Two, you have to wait for a certain time to take a taxi. Every time I came back to check on it, it wasn’t the right time. Lame and a waste of my time. I am deleting it! ### 3/5 — Great game but no update *2024-01-14* Amazing game but have been waiting a long time for more chapters **Developer response:** We are working on the next chapter! Stay tuned to our social media for the latest updates!!!! ### 5/5 — Perfect game! *2023-06-30* What a clever, fun and full of surprises game. An interesting story with great logical puzzles. Great job Team! ## Frequently asked questions about Circulous ### What kind of game is Circulous? Circulous is a first-person mystery narrative puzzle game. It focuses on an immersive story where players take on the role of Amanda Trouser, uncovering secrets and solving puzzles within a mysterious company. The game uses animated environments and interactive elements to draw players into the narrative. ### What are the key gameplay features of Circulous? Key features include a compelling first-person narrative, challenging puzzles that test wits and allegiances, and immersive animated environments that utilize parallax movement. The game also incorporates intuitive in-game device interaction, making players feel like they are truly using their device within the game's world. ### How is Circulous monetized? Circulous operates on a 'pay once, play forever' model, indicating a single purchase for the full game experience. The provided data suggests it does not have in-app purchases or advertisements. ### Who is the target audience for Circulous? This game is designed for players who enjoy deep narrative experiences, engaging mystery plots, and challenging puzzle-solving. It appeals to those who appreciate immersive gameplay that combines story with interactive elements. ### What is the story premise of Circulous? Players step into the shoes of Amanda Trouser, who, after losing her job, finds an unexpected opportunity at a company called Circulous. What begins as a new career quickly evolves into a journey filled with corporate espionage, conspiracy theories, and moral dilemmas, all tied together by challenging puzzles. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1.1 — 2025-08-22 Hints are now available for Act II Bug/Visual Fixes Circulous Act II: VAPORWAVE is finally here! Maxwell Hospital has contacted us with a tech support problem — the records on their decades-old computer are disappearing! Travel back in time to solve puzzles and get to the bottom of the pesky retro virus. We are also pleased to announce that CircleOS 2 is now ready for installation onto your company-issued devices. We think you will love all the new updates, including new wallpapers and a fresh "Quick-Access" Menu accessible by tapping the device's time. ### 2.1 — 2021-09-04 RETRO TUNEZ Circulous has new songs to bring more 80s vibes! (Plus some bug fixes/performance improvements) Circulous Act II: VAPORWAVE is finally here! Maxwell Hospital has contacted us with a tech support problem — the records on their decades-old computer are disappearing! Travel back in time to solve puzzles and get to the bottom of the pesky retro virus. We are also pleased to announce that CircleOS 2 is now ready for installation onto your company-issued devices. We think you will love all the new updates, including new wallpapers and a fresh "Quick-Access" Menu accessible by tapping the device's time. ### 2.0.3 — 2021-08-06 Circulous Employees, Circulous Act II: VAPORWAVE is finally here! Maxwell Hospital has contacted us with a tech support problem — the records on their decades-old computer are disappearing! Travel back in time to solve puzzles and get to the bottom of the pesky retro virus. We are also pleased to announce that CircleOS 2 is now ready for installation onto your company-issued devices. We think you will love all the new updates, including new wallpapers and a fresh "Quick-Access" Menu accessible by tapping the device's time. 2.0.3: Fixed a crash affecting people getting a Ryde outside of Circulous labs... ### 2.0.2 — 2021-08-05 Circulous Employees, Circulous Act II: VAPORWAVE is finally here! Maxwell Hospital has contacted us with a tech support problem — the records on their decades-old computer are disappearing! Travel back in time to solve puzzles and get to the bottom of the pesky retro virus. We are also pleased to announce that CircleOS 2 is now ready for installation onto your company-issued devices. We think you will love all the new updates, including new wallpapers and a fresh "Quick-Access" Menu accessible by tapping the device's time. 2.0.2: Bug fixes and visual fixes. The S and the F should really be gone now... ### 2.0.1 — 2021-08-04 Circulous Employees, Circulous Act II: VAPORWAVE is finally here! Maxwell Hospital has contacted us with a tech support problem — the records on their decades-old computer are disappearing! Travel back in time to solve puzzles and get to the bottom of the pesky retro virus. We are also pleased to announce that CircleOS 2 is now ready for installation onto your company-issued devices. We think you will love all the new updates, including new wallpapers and a fresh "Quick-Access" Menu accessible by tapping the device's time. 2.0.1: Removed confusing error message from shifty websites, as well as the S and F. ## Apps similar to Circulous | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nelly-cootalot-the-fowl-fleet/id973866287) | 4.6 (102) | $3.99 | Games | | [Beast of Bodkin Hall](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beast-of-bodkin-hall/id6450634626) | 4.6 (48) | $5.99 | Games | | [Second Best: Bested Part 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/second-best-bested-part-2/id6744046132) | 5.0 (31) | $5.99 | Games | | [The Frostrune](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-frostrune/id1067658337) | 4.5 (214) | $4.99 | Games | | [Trust No One](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trust-no-one/id6471435312) | 3.8 (33) | $0.99 | Games | | [Unknown - Raven Field](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unknown-raven-field/id6670360708) | 4.9 (7) | $2.99 | Games | ## More apps by Chain Reaction Games LLC - [Octopuz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopuz/id1135510959) - [Love Indiana Stickers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/love-indiana-stickers/id1172885080) - [Love Football Stickers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/love-football-stickers/id1178616789) - [Myft](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myft/id1200643220) - [The Company Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-company-game/id1396301917) - [Solisquare](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solisquare/id1449713068) All apps by Chain Reaction Games LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/969795617 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*