See-Through Shanghai

See-Through Shanghai – A Puzzle Game That Mixes Tile Matching with Hidden Stories

See-Through Shanghai is not your typical Mahjong clone. On the surface, it’s a Sichuan tile-matching game where you clear boards by connecting pairs with no more than two right angles. But the twist? Each cleared board unlocks a short narrative scene set in a stylized version of modern Shanghai, and your character gains a “see-through” ability that reveals hidden details in the environment. I’ve played through about 40 levels, and the blend of logic puzzles with light storytelling is what keeps me coming back.

How the See-Through Mechanic Changes the Puzzle Flow

The core gameplay loops are simple: match tiles, earn a glimpse, then read a snippet. But the “see-through” power isn’t just visual flair. After completing a board, you can peer into walls, read secret notes, or spot clues that aren’t visible until you clear the stage. In practice, this means you’re not just clearing tiles for points—you’re literally peeling back layers of the city. I found myself replaying earlier levels just to see if I missed any hidden interactions. The catch? The narrative scenes are brief, often only two or three sentences, so don’t expect a deep novel. And sometimes the puzzle resets if you exit mid‑scene, which can be annoying.

What Works Well and Where It Stumbles

On the positive side, the tile patterns are genuinely varied. You’ll face layouts that force you to plan multiple moves ahead, and the timer in “Showtime Mode” adds pressure without feeling unfair. The hand-drawn backgrounds are detailed, and the Shanghai skyline at dusk looks lovely on a mid‑range phone. However, there are two real drawbacks. First, the game occasionally freezes for a second when loading story segments, especially on older devices. Second, once you’ve cleared all current levels, the replay value drops sharply—there’s no daily challenge or endless mode yet. I also wish the tutorial explained the “see-through” mechanic earlier; I spent my first few matches wondering why tiles occasionally glowed with no clear purpose.

Is This Game Right for You?

If you enjoy casual puzzle games with a hint of exploration, See-Through Shanghai offers a fresh angle on an old formula. The learning curve is gentle, but the later boards require real spatial reasoning. Competitive players might find the pacing too slow, and the narrative content is lightweight. Still, for a few minutes of distraction between tasks—or a longer session on a commute—it holds up well. Just go in expecting a puzzle game first, a story game second. That honesty makes the experience more satisfying than many overhyped mobile titles I’ve tried.