# The Manhole: Masterpiece

> Interactive children's exploration game with whimsical characters and surprises. (iPhone/iPad app by Cyan Worlds.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-manhole-masterpiece/id378038679 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cyan Worlds](https://appshunter.io/developer/311941994)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Adventure, Family
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 23 App Store ratings · 43 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 88 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-08-04
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-manhole-masterpiece/id378038679/reviews.md

## What is The Manhole?

From the creators of Myst, The Manhole is a silly, delightful, interactive, busy-box-of-a-world that kids can explore and explore - finding something new around every corner.
 
This award-winning romp transports children to the fanciful world around, above, and beneath what appears to be just an average, everyday manhole. But there is much more than meets the eye - have tea with a rabbit, wake up a walrus, nibble biscuits with a dragon, hang with a penguin, boat with an elephant, speak French with a turtle, and much more!
 
First released in the 80s, the original version won rave reviews and numerous awards including "Best New Use of a Computer" from the Software Publishers Association. This Masterpiece Edition was produced in the 90s as a ground-up re-make of the original with meticulous computer-rendered scenes layered with delightful hand-rendered characters. There are over 30 original music compositions and scores of original sounds and voices.

## Key features

- Interactive world exploration
- Whimsical characters
- Original music and sounds
- Hand-rendered characters
- Award-winning design

## Chart rankings

- #157 in Top Paid · Family (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 43)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-manhole-masterpiece/id378038679/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Worth it so see it again

*2024-07-17*

If you loved this in the 1980s, it might be worth $2 to see it again. It was for me. I remember it used to take forever to go through the game and click on all the options (which were not always obvious.) Originally, this was created in HyperCard, the precursor to the links used in HTML. I imagine it was much slower in certain parts as it loaded from the 800k floppy disk, and in this version, it never seems to crash the computer. I’m sure it will be just as astonishing to play with this when I’m living in the retirement home.

### 5/5 — Nostalgic

*2020-05-20*

We had the computer CD as kids so it is a delight to show it to our own kids now.

### 5/5 — YAY iOS 11 SUPPORT!

*2018-03-07*

So excited to be able to play this game again under iOS 11! Thank you, developers, for continuing to support this app!

### 5/5 — PLEASE!!

*2017-06-30*

PLEASE update for 64-bit apps!
I would like to enjoy continuously on iOS11 !!
・
HyperCard世代にとっては懐かしい、往年の名作がようやくiPhone版で出てくれました。とても嬉しいです！ ちゃんと台詞もそのままだし、あの世界を再び歩けるなんてッ！！ これから毎日が楽しくなります♪ 本当に有り難う御座いました！ 続編のCosmic Osmoも期待してます♪
・・・ただ、単色林檎やMacintosh SE系以外のユーザーには物足りないかも。
一言で表せば、「絵本の中を歩く」。そんな感じです。斬新で楽しいかも♪

### 5/5 — MEMORIES!

*2017-02-21*

I am so glad I was thinking of this game the other day and so glad I just downloaded it! Better than I remember and I forgot how whimsical this game was... thank you for bringing this to us in app form! Worth the $1.99!

### 5/5 — Amazing!

*2016-08-16*

I missed this one when I was a kid, but loved Spelunx and Myst.

I've had so much fun with this, both by myself and sharing it with my 3 year old daughter, that I genuinely wish there were more games like this!  (And, of course, that I could get Spelunx for either iOS or Mac!)

Don't pass this one up.  It's a true gem!

### 5/5 — Awesome. Better than ever

*2016-07-19*

Years ago I worked for Broderbund selling our products to retailers and demonstrating them in computer user groups all over the us. I bought this for nostalgia but also to see my kids enjoy this. I love the literary allusions to cs Lewis and Alice in wonderland and the pre myst game play but the exceptional music wins the prize here. This is gorgeously redone with enhance graphics from the cd rom.

### 5/5 — MYST before MYST was MYST

*2016-01-25*

This is a precessor to MYST, in that u can see its influence on how MYST was made. This is a kids game but still looks like MYST. Haven't played yet but giving five stars cuz cyan deserves the support! Can't wait for Obduction!

### 5/5 — Instant nostalgia

*2015-03-21*

If you have trouble with the sound, check the toggle switch right next to your volume button. The sound in the game didn't play at all for me until I flipped that switch.

This brings back memories :-) One of the first games at ever played, at around age 5. Although I played the black and white version on an old Mac Pro, none of this color / touchscreen fanciness :-)

### 5/5 — Nostalgia City

*2014-06-28*

I loved this game as a kid and played it for hours on end! What a joy to have it on a mobile device! Just wandering around and listening to the music is a great way to de-stress and stroll down memory lane!

## Frequently asked questions about The Manhole

### What is The Manhole: Masterpiece?

The Manhole: Masterpiece is an award-winning interactive exploration game designed for children. It transports players to a whimsical world accessed through an ordinary manhole, filled with delightful characters, surprises, and engaging activities.

### What are the key features of this game?

Key features include a vast, interactive world to explore, charming hand-rendered characters, original music compositions, and a wealth of original sounds and voices. Players can interact with various elements to uncover new discoveries around every corner.

### How much does The Manhole: Masterpiece cost?

The Manhole: Masterpiece is a paid application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements within the game, offering an uninterrupted experience.

### What is the target audience for this app?

This app is primarily designed for children who enjoy imaginative play and exploration. It offers a delightful and engaging experience for young players looking for a whimsical digital world to discover.

### What makes this a 'Masterpiece Edition'?

The Masterpiece Edition is a ground-up remake of the original 80s release, produced in the 90s. It features meticulously computer-rendered scenes layered with delightful hand-rendered characters, along with over 30 original music compositions and scores of original sounds and voices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1 — 2026-05-21

Updated to newer iOS versions.
Implemented an improved audio system.
Fixed a few small bugs.
Ratings adjusted to account for the latest ratings requirements.

### 2.0 — 2024-05-13

Added iOS 17 compatibility
Added support for Pro Max iPhones

### 1.7 — 2022-01-27

We've made some fixes and improvements:
 - Added iOS 15 compatibility
 - Added support for running on M1 Macs with macOS 12.1 or greater.
 - Fixed save and restore of current game state.

### 1.6 — 2019-11-06

We continue to make improvements and keep The Manhole:Masterpiece up to date.
Small bug fixes and iOS 13 compatibility.
New splash screen.
Manhole will no longer restart after being put into background.

### 1.5 — 2019-08-21

We continue to make improvements and keep Manhole up to date.
Also, we removed all analytic information gathering from the Manhole app.

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## More apps by Cyan Worlds

- [Myst (Legacy) for Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myst-legacy-for-mobile/id311941991)
- [Myst Deutsch (Legacy)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myst-deutsch-legacy/id339582755)
- [Myst Français (Legacy)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myst-francais-legacy/id339584913)
- [Riven (Legacy) for Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riven-legacy-for-mobile/id400293367)
- [realMyst](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realmyst/id524988885)

All apps by Cyan Worlds: https://appshunter.io/developer/311941994

## Related topics

[cyan worlds](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cyan-worlds)

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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 2026-09-05.*