The Manhole: Masterpiece

Family

Ratings

Age

4+

Family

Languages

English

Latest Version 2.0

Mon May 13 2024

Added iOS 17 compatibility

Added support for Pro Max iPhones

From Cyan, the creators of Myst, comes The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition. This groundbreaking interactive experience invites players to explore a world limited only by their imagination. There are no rules and no scores—just a vast, whimsical landscape filled with hidden secrets and charming characters. Simply click to move through a storybook world that comes to life with every interaction.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

90/100

The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition is a piece of gaming history beautifully preserved. Originally created by the Miller brothers (who went on to create Myst), this is a whimsical 'world-book' rather than a traditional game. There are no puzzles to solve or ways to die; instead, you simply explore a surreal, interconnected world through a series of point-and-click interactions.

It’s like stepping into a high-quality children’s picture book. The Masterpiece Edition updates the visuals while keeping the original spirit intact. Clicking on a manhole might lead you to a sunken ship, a castle in the clouds, or a talking walrus. It’s an exercise in pure wonder and exploration, making it perfect for young children or adults looking for a peaceful, nostalgic journey into the roots of interactive storytelling.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Features

Completely non-linear exploration

Beautifully updated Masterpiece Edition graphics

Original soundtrack and voice acting

Safe, educational, and fun for all ages

Tips & Walkthrough

Getting Started

There is no right way to play! Click on the manhole to begin your journey, and from there, follow whatever interests you—be it the beanstalk, the rabbit, or the sea.

Gameplays

Interaction

Almost every object in the world is interactive. Tapping a character or a background element will often trigger a unique animation or sound effect.

Screenshot

Q&A

Not at all. There are no puzzles or challenges; it is purely about exploration and discovery.

Ratings & Reviews

Worth it so see it again

Tue Jul 16 2024 PureRainX

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.

Instant nostalgia

Sat Mar 21 2015 Bree Bafunno

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 :-)

Awesome. Better than ever

Mon Jul 18 2016 Broderbund Dave

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.

Amazing!

Tue Aug 16 2016 dmollison

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!

MEMORIES!

Tue Feb 21 2017 CaitGö

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!

Nostalgia City

Sat Jun 28 2014 Oibalf

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!

Nostalgic

Wed May 20 2020 Withoutastyle

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

MYST before MYST was MYST

Sun Jan 24 2016 Mb866

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!