The downside is that while most stages will allow you to go back and forth all over them, performing certain actions in some of them will lock you out of getting items or doing things that needed to be done beforehand, forcing a restart, which is frustrating considering that the patience and stealth required in a few of them can mean they go slowly. It's really impressive how much work and detail has gone into making each one look and feel unique, especially considering how elaborate they get later on. What makes Tiny Thief so special is that it knows you need more than just a pretty face to make a game great, and the level design is no slouch either.

It isn't just that the game is gorgeous, with expressive characters and detailed animations. It's impossible to be in a bad mood while playing Tiny Thief. the main object needed to complete the stage, your ferret who hides around the scenery and can be collected when he appears with a tap, and an optional secret item (or two or three or more!) you'll need to experiment with your surroundings to figure out not only how to nab, but what you're nabbing! Each stage after the training levels has three items to steal or find that grant you a star apiece. It might be a barrel to hide in for when the guards come your way, or a rope to untie, or a pie to bake, or any number of possibilities. Tap anywhere onscreen to move, and if you're close enough, certain objects will pop up with an icon above them you can tap to interact. Each chapter comes with its own story, revealed in comic book scenes between levels, and even level represents a puzzle with its own unique objectives to complete. As the title suggests, you are a plucky little thief who, along with your sassy ferret sidekick, must steal, trick, and slink your way through six different chapters of adventures. Why? Because not only is it one of the most beautifully animated and adorable games to come down the river in a long time, but more importantly, it's fun, clever, and imaginative to boot.

If you are at all a fan of point-and-click puzzle games, stop what you're doing right now and go buy 5Ants's Tiny Thief for your iOS or Android device.

Tiny thief walkthrough