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Crushed in Time is now available for iPhone and iPad. Draw Me A Pixel’s comedic point-and-click adventure casts Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson as detectives investigating a missing game character—then sends them into the stages of their own game’s development. The download is free, while a $6.99 U.S. in-app purchase unlocks the full story.
What is Crushed in Time about?
The mystery begins when an important non-player character disappears just as the Holmes and Watson game reaches the market. Instead of staying in a finished Victorian setting, the detectives travel through the machinery of the game’s creation, exploring unfinished areas and meeting characters connected to the development process. The official App Store description presents it as “a wildly elastic and infinitely meta experience.”
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThat premise makes the game’s tone deliberately absurd. Pocket Gamer’s launch coverage describes a story that repeatedly breaks the fourth wall and prioritizes comedy over a serious period detective drama. Players should expect jokes about the medium itself, visual instability and surprises alongside the central missing-character investigation.
How do the stretching puzzles work?
Crushed in Time uses physical, elastic interactions instead of a conventional point-and-click vocabulary. You manipulate Holmes, Watson and environmental objects by stretching, squashing and flicking them, then observe how those actions change a puzzle.
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- VICTORIAN MYSTERIES: Immerse yourself in the gaslit streets of Victorian London with this standalone box that offers ten thrilling cases for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective.
- COOPERATIVE DEDUCTION: Join forces with friends or play solo in a shared deductive experience, where every player's wits are essential to cracking the case.
- UNIQUE GAME STRUCTURE: Experience an utterly unique game structure that draws you deep into the world of Sherlock Holmes, where solving each mystery feels like stepping into the detective's shoes.
- REIMAGINED AND REFINED: The ten cases included in this collection have been fully revised and retranslated from the Ystari version, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience.
- THRILLING CHALLENGES: Test your deductive skills, follow the trail of clues, and make logical connections as you tackle each intriguing case, just like the legendary detective himself.
The “grab, pull and release” pattern
As I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere reports, the core interaction is “grab, pull and release.” In practice, that means selecting an element, dragging it to create tension or reposition it, and letting go at the useful moment. The same elastic logic can apply to characters and scenery, so solutions depend on experimenting with distance, timing and what can be manipulated together.
A puzzle adventure with an unstable presentation
The App Store listing promises many puzzles, human-recorded dialogue, humor and surprises. It also jokes about whether the visuals are 2D or 3D, making the intentionally unstable presentation part of the game’s comedy rather than a technical inconsistency to overlook.
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Yes. The iOS app is free to download, but the complete game requires the separately listed “Crushed In Time Full Game” in-app purchase, priced at $6.99 in the U.S. App Store. Pocket Gamer also reported the $6.99 full-game price in its iOS launch article.
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- TEN FRESH MYSTERIES: Immerse yourself in ten brand-new mysteries, each expertly crafted by a specialist of Sherlock Holmes, offering a fresh challenge for even the most seasoned detectives.
- COOPERATIVE INVESTIGATION: Work together as a team to solve intricate cases by interviewing suspects, scouring newspapers, and exploring the streets of London for vital clues.
- IMMERSIVE NARRATIVE: Experience an enhanced narrative with new mechanics that provide a deeper level of immersion and track your progress throughout the investigations.
- PLAY AS THE IRREGULARS: Step into the shoes of the Baker Street Irregulars, the resourceful group of young helpers who aid Sherlock Holmes in his investigations.
- NEW STORY ARC: Embark on a captivating new storyline arc centered around the young Baker Street Irregulars, adding a fresh dimension to the Sherlock Holmes universe.
| Option | Access | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free download | Install the iPhone or iPad app and access the portion available before the unlock | $0 | Trying the premise, tone and elastic interaction before committing |
| Full-game unlock | Unlocks the complete Crushed in Time story and its remaining chapters | $6.99 in the U.S.; recurring billing is not indicated | Players who want the entire mystery |
The exact amount of story available before purchasing can change with an update, so check the in-app purchase screen on your device for the current boundary.
What iPhone and iPad requirements apply?
The live Apple App Store listing supports iPhone and iPad running iOS or iPadOS 17.0 or later. The download is listed at 1.6 GB, carries a 4+ age rating and offers English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and one additional language shown in the store listing.
- Operating system: iOS/iPadOS 17.0 or later
- Storage: 1.6 GB listed download size; leave additional free space for installation and updates
- Devices: iPhone and iPad
- Age rating: 4+
- Languages: English plus nine other listed languages
For a larger play area, iPad is the more comfortable choice for examining elastic interactions and scene details. iPhone is the portable option, but either device must meet the same operating-system requirement. The listing does not document a dedicated motion-reduction setting, so players sensitive to animation should review the current accessibility information before buying.
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- ENGAGING GAMEPLAY: Dive into a thrilling chase with Sherlock Holmes in this strategy board game. Use your deductive reasoning skills to catch the elusive Professor Moriarty before time runs out
- AWARD-WINNING STRATEGY: As the recipient of numerous awards, Scotland Yard is trusted by millions worldwide. This Sherlock Holmes edition adds an exciting twist to the beloved original game
- IDEAL FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Perfect for kids and adults alike, this game promises excitement and suspense. It's an excellent choice for family game nights, parties, and gatherings
- EASY TO LEARN: With clear instructions, you can start playing right away. It's an excellent way to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork among players
- HIGH-QUALITY COMPONENTS: This game includes everything you need for an immersive experience. From game board, character chips, player boards to crime scene cards and more, you're all set for a detective adventure
When did Crushed in Time launch, and what is its current status?
A September 23, 2026 release report said iPhone and iPad owners could start playing on October 19, 2026. That makes the game available on iOS as of the current October 27, 2026 store snapshot. The same report had not confirmed Android or Nintendo Switch timing, so those platforms should not be assumed available without a newer announcement.
The store snapshot showed a 4.7/5 rating from 52 ratings and an Adventure chart position of No. 85. Those figures can move as more players review the game. The listing identified version 1.0.6313; its notes mention Chapter 5 memory optimization, while an earlier update addressed crashes on older-generation devices that do not support shader preloading.
What should you know before downloading?
- Expect comedy, not a traditional Holmes pastiche: the investigation is a framework for meta jokes, unfinished worlds and characters aware of the game around them.
- Plan for experimentation: stretching and flicking are central actions, so puzzles may require trying unusual manipulations rather than selecting a single obvious hotspot.
- Check storage first: the listed 1.6 GB size is substantial for a mobile adventure, before accounting for update space.
- Verify platform availability: the confirmed launch is iPhone and iPad; other platform dates were unconfirmed in the September report.
Apple’s privacy section says the developer reports “Data Not Collected,” but Apple also notes that the developer’s privacy responses have not been verified. Treat that label as the developer’s current disclosure rather than an independently audited guarantee.
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- The game can be played competitively by 2 or more individuals or teams. Or it can be played as a cooperative game, with all players teaming up as Baker Street Irregulars to help Holmes solve the case. The game can also be played solitaire
- Deluxe version includes newly designed game board, metal tokens and more adventures than ever offered before.
- For 2 or more players
- Ages 14 & up
Is Crushed in Time worth the $6.99 unlock?
The unlock makes sense if you want a complete, self-contained comedy adventure built around Holmes, Watson and tactile puzzle manipulation. The free download is a low-risk way to determine whether the elastic controls and fourth-wall humor suit you; players seeking a conventional, serious Sherlock mystery may find the deliberately chaotic presentation a mismatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Crushed in Time offline?
The App Store listing does not promise offline play or specify an internet requirement. Download the app and any purchased content while connected, then check the game’s current support information if offline access is important to you.
Does Crushed in Time include spoken dialogue?
Yes. The store feature copy says the adventure includes human-recorded dialogue. It does not describe a separate voice-language selector, so spoken-language options may differ from the full text-language list.
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- Become a Master Detective Immerse yourself in the world of Sherlock Holmes as you compete to solve one of 75 unique and challenging mysteries. This adult board game blends storytelling, deduction, and strategy, making it ideal for game nights, themed parties, and fans of crime-solving adventures. Perfect for players who enjoy immersive gameplay and clever twists.
- Explore the Streets of London Begin your investigation at 221B Baker Street and journey through Victorian London in search of clues. Use Skeleton Key and Scotland Yard cards to unlock or block access to critical locations. Outsmart your opponents by gathering evidence, interpreting cryptic hints, and racing to solve the case before anyone else. Every game is a new challenge.
- Solve the Crime Before Anyone Else Each case card presents a gripping mystery with suspects and locations to explore. Clues are hidden across the board, and players must use logic and deduction to piece together the solution. The first player to return to 221B and correctly answer all questions wins. Red herrings and misleading clues add suspense and replayability to every session.
- A Must-Have for Sherlock Holmes Fans Whether you're hosting a murder mystery night or looking for a brain-teasing board game for adults, 221B Baker Street delivers. With its rich narrative and classic detective theme, it's a perfect gift for fans of Sherlock Holmes, crime fiction, and strategic gameplay. Great for couples, groups, and anyone who loves solving puzzles together.
- Game Contents and Specifications Designed for 2 to 6 players, ages 10 and up, with an average playtime of 60 to 90 minutes. Includes 1 game board, 1 die, 6 player tokens, 6 Scotland Yard cards, 6 Skeleton Key cards, 75 case cards, and a comprehensive Rules, Clues and Solutions Booklet. A complete mystery board game experience that combines storytelling with competitive play.
Does Crushed in Time support game controllers?
Controller compatibility is not stated in the available listing information. The designed interaction is direct touch manipulation—grabbing, pulling, releasing, stretching and flicking—so touch input is the documented way to play.
Why might the game require more free space than 1.6 GB?
The 1.6 GB figure is the store’s listed download size, not a guarantee of the final installed footprint. iOS may need temporary space to unpack the app and additional room for later chapter or memory-optimization updates.
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