# NUTS - A Surveillance Mystery — Spy on Squirrels in the Forest

> Surveillance mystery game about tracking squirrels and uncovering forest secrets. (iPhone/iPad app by Noodlecake Studios Inc.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuts-a-surveillance-mystery/id1467043989 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Noodlecake Studios Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/370828169)
- Category: Games
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 237 App Store ratings · 53 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 929 MB
- Languages: Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and 4 more
- Released: 2021-01-22
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuts-a-surveillance-mystery/id1467043989/reviews.md

## What is NUTS?

Gear up your caravan, boot up your GPS, spread out your map and head for the depths of Melmoth Forest. As a rookie field researcher, you’ll place cameras during the day, and watch the footage at night, tracking the movements of a scurry of squirrels.

Where do they hide their nuts? What puzzling routes do they take? And why do they behave so strangely?

Includes
Gameplay based around surveillance and tracking
An immersive story with full voice acting
Bold visuals and foley sound effects envelop the player in a vibrant forest


ARRANGE YOUR CAMERAS
Your mission briefing will give you a starting point, but it’ll be on you to determine the optimal layout for your equipment through trial and error. Explore the wonders and mysteries of the enigmatic Melmoth Forest at your ease during daytime, until night falls…


ANALYZE YOUR FOOTAGE
… when you can review all of the content you captured in your DIY control center. Comb your footage for the information needed to complete your mission and send proof to your boss Dr Nina Scholz back at the research institute. With both of you on the case, maybe you can figure out what’s really going on?


GET TO WORK
You are a tiny cog in the ever-grinding machinery of Viago University’s research efforts. You’ve been sent on assignment to live alone in a dinky caravan in Melmoth Forest. Your job? To figure out where the native squirrels nest and what mysterious business they get up to.

## Key features

- Surveillance and tracking gameplay
- Immersive story with voice acting
- Bold visuals and foley sound effects
- Camera placement and optimization
- Footage analysis
- Mission-based progression

## What do users think of NUTS?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎨 Unique and beautiful art style
- 📖 Compelling story with meaningful environmental message
- 🎮 Creative and innovative gameplay mechanics
- 🎵 Excellent soundtrack and voice acting
- 😌 Relaxing and immersive atmosphere
- 🐿️ Charming squirrel-tracking concept
- ✨ Engaging narrative that unfolds progressively
- 🎯 Appropriate difficulty progression

**Cons**

- 🎮 Difficult and unintuitive controls
- 🐛 Frequent lag and performance issues
- 🔋 Excessive battery drain
- 💾 No mid-chapter save functionality
- 📱 Poor text readability on mobile screens
- 🎨 Low contrast makes UI elements hard to see
- ⏱️ Game closes if app is left for 30 seconds
- 🌡️ Phone overheating during extended play
- ❓ Lack of clear tutorial and directions
- 🎮 Controller support is glitchy
- 📏 Small interactive elements difficult to tap
- ⚠️ Accessibility issues for visually impaired users

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Save file deletion upon app restart
- Game won't acknowledge squirrels in photos
- Movement controls freeze after settings menu changes
- iPad viewport resolution lower than iPhone
- Timestamp level extremely buggy with false rejections
- Record button unresponsive in chapter 2
- Game crashes and wipes progress on final level
- Time display shows future dates
- PS4 controller causes constant forward movement
- Controls lock to single interaction perpetually
- Menu glitches from repeated button presses
- Second monitor not fully visible during playback

**Most requested features**

- Mid-chapter save option
- Free-play mode after story completion
- Normal graphics mode alternative
- More story chapters or continuation
- Post-game resolution of character fates
- Better tutorial and in-game guidance
- Option to remove or censor profanity
- Console/PC version
- DLC or sequel content
- Improved controller support
- Accessibility settings for text size
- Horror game variant in same style

## Recent user reviews (10 of 53)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuts-a-surveillance-mystery/id1467043989/reviews.md

### 5/5 — One of the greatest games I have ever played

*2023-10-10*

This game is so good that I watched all the way through the credits just to thank all of the people for creating this game and helping make it and so accessible for so many different languages. Thank you so much for this game you are made this world better just buy this game. The story is great. I love the ending. Yes, just yes greatest game, I don’t want to say one thing lol for some reason it didn’t count all of my achievements do you know what that’s my devices fault

### 2/5 — What’s Nuts are the Controls!

*2023-06-14*

I struggled with this game for more than 15 minutes, and all I managed to get was a mild headache and a not-so-mild desire to throw my phone against a wall and scream. Which probably would have made the headache worse, had I succumbed to the desire. 

I read several reviews before installing, so I was prepared for some frustration with the controls. I’ve managed to get used to some odd setups over the years. But this is beyond nuts. Maybe if I ever get a console-style controller I’ll try it again, as it really does sound like a cool game. But until then, it’s not a game at all; just an exercise in frustration. And I’m not Zen Master enough for this 10th level stuff.

### 5/5 — easily the best app game i've ever played

*2023-06-14*

took me a solid three and a half hours to play through the game once. completely engaging and magical, i was enthralled. looks beautiful, sounds incredible, and comes with a great message. relaxing and calm, but suspenseful when it wants to be. i adore Nina's voice work. the gameplay is unique and fun, i once ran into a problem where the game wouldn't acknowledge a squirrel that was in the photo but i just got a different angle and it worked fine. (this was during the time stamps level, at 30)
wonderful all the way through ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

### 5/5 — There’s so much to love!

*2023-02-21, version 1.1.98*

This game is beautiful and eerie and funny and important and just overall amazing. I really enjoyed it. The story was captivating and the gane itself is so unique and interesting! I love that there’s no pressure to trace the squirrels down in a certain number of nights or something. You’re just investigating and it’s super cool. 

I do wish you could save mid chapter though. It kinda does it, but not really and I ended up repeating sections several times. I didn’t really mind that when compared to how much I liked the experience overall, but it was a tad annoying.

### 5/5 — Calming, yet satisfying

*2023-01-13, version 1.1.98*

I don’t write reviews very often, because most mobile games are mediocre. But, this game is worth the time to give a review. I will admit, I wasn’t fond of the color palettes at first, but you get used to it, and it becomes essential, gameplay-wise. I’m very upset only for the fact that it is such a short game. I was hoping for at least one more chapter, but the ending is still satisfying enough, and lets you tie off loose ends in your own imagination. It makes me want to go back out into the forest again. And reconnect. It’s such a cute game with cute little squirrels, and you really feel like you’ve become a part of the story and want to help. I’m hoping for some DLC or a story continuation at some point, but amazing job to the devs and everyone who created such an immersive game.

### 5/5 — Great game but

*2022-11-12, version 1.1.98*

OK I love the game but I have a slight problem I went into the settings on you and I changed something up you know like bigger subtitles because I am practically blind but nothing really else and and I exited the Settings menu And suddenly I can’t move can you give me any advice on to fix it I really like the game great game I just can’t play for some reason

### 3/5 — Hi, Good game

*2022-09-22, version 1.1.98*

This is a good game although I personally think it it a little too hard. (Maybe make levels of experience or something) The color scheme can sometimes be annoying but it is still a good game otherwise. I will give it five stars if these things could potentially be changed.

### 1/5 — I hate this game

*2022-09-18, version 1.1.98*

This game was extremely frustrating I haven’t seen a squirrel in all this time I’ve been playing in the game is extremely hard I had to go back and do things multiple times can you please fix this I’m not even sure if I put my camera in the right spot😡

### 3/5 — fun but unsatisfying

*2022-05-11, version 1.1.98*

It was kind of hard to get the hang of at first and the tutorial isn’t great about directing you or repeating instructions. Once I finally figured it out it was quite fun and cute. It had a pretty good story but the ending is so unsatisfying. Too much is left hanging. I got out but what happened to Simon? Was he ever ok? How was the corporation getting my photos to edit? How did they forge Nina’s signature? Did she ever find someone to talk to and stop this? What happened to the rest of the squirrels? All these questions were unanswered and just left it so dissapointing.

### 5/5 — The Game

*2022-02-26, version 1.1.98*

Hi so I absolutely love the game but to me it kinda scares me like right know I’m we’re the two squirrels come out of nowhere and the weird information kinda scares me so next time make it less weird PS. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE GAME! ❤️🐿

## Frequently asked questions about NUTS

### What is NUTS - A Surveillance Mystery about?

NUTS is a game where you play as a field researcher tasked with tracking the movements of squirrels in Melmoth Forest. You'll place cameras during the day and analyze the footage at night to uncover their secrets, such as where they hide nuts and why they behave strangely.

### What are the key gameplay mechanics?

The core gameplay involves strategically placing surveillance cameras throughout the forest to capture footage of squirrels. You then analyze this footage in your DIY control center to gather information, track their movements, and complete your missions for the research institute.

### Is NUTS - A Surveillance Mystery free to play?

Based on the information provided, this application is a paid game. There are no mentions of free-to-play elements, in-app purchases, or advertisements.

### What platforms is NUTS - A Surveillance Mystery available on?

The provided data does not specify the platforms for which this application is available. Typically, such games are released on PC, consoles, or mobile devices.

### What makes this game unique?

The game offers a unique premise centered around surveillance and tracking of squirrels, combined with an immersive story featuring full voice acting. Its bold visuals and detailed sound design aim to envelop the player in a vibrant and mysterious forest environment.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.1.98 — 2021-04-21

Bugfix: Fixed Journal visibility issues 
Bugfix: Significant performance improvements on older iPads
Bugfix: Fixed softlock bug in Dutch localization
Bugfix: Cloud data not pre-loading on first boot after install
Bugfix: Journal glyph now always shows correct one
Feature: Snapping assist during nighttime for gamepad controllers

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All apps by Noodlecake Studios Inc: https://appshunter.io/developer/370828169

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*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 2026-06-10.*