Mystery Case Files: RavenHearst (PC CD)

Ravenhearst is the third game in the Mystery Case Files series and with it being the third game, the developers have now left behind the Crime series style of the first two, and instead we now have the Diary of a missing person, and the setting of a haunted house.Gone is the interactive map from the first two games and instead we now have a map of Ravenhearst Manor. Instead of different locations in a city it is the various rooms of the Manor. All wonderfully drawn.In Ravenhearst it is up to you to find out what happened to Emma Ravenhearst, and to piece together the diary of her events. Unlike Prime Suspects you do not need to find any extra items to access areas this time, you do however have to solve a rather quirky and fun puzzle on several doors in the Manor in order to gain access to a new area. These range from easy to difficult to solve, and I found them rather fun to beat. Some of them really make you think and they are in my opinion one of the best things about Ravenhearst. It also adds more to the gameplay so it isn't just searching for objects. Each time you find a diary piece you are taken to another screen where you have to put an old photograph together like a jigsaw puzzle. This too is entertaining to solve.The game once again has the signature digital clock and hint system present in the first two games, however the hints have now been increased up to 5! You can also use these hints to give you clues on how to solve the door puzzles if you get stuck. As well as the hints, a black telephone is available too that allows you to skip the door puzzles if you are really stuck. Once again the timer will decrease quicker if you click the screen too much.Gameplay - Like the previous two games Ravenhearst primarily consists of finding hidden objects, but now in a haunted mansion as opposed to a city setting. With the inclusion of new puzzles to solve in order to progress to new rooms, and the Diary jigsaw puzzles. Other than that, finding the objects play out the exact same way as the other two games, and the amount to find increases as you pass each stage.Graphics - The graphics for this game have been sufficiently enhanced, the artwork for the rooms is fantastic the art designer really captures the feel of an abandoned haunted mansion. Also the objects are now even less transparent so you really have to take a good long look in order to find them, as they are cleverly concealed in some places.Sound - The sound is a huge improvement. The soundtrack mostly consists of haunted background ambience, but it does wonders to create a haunted atmosphere. This game also marks the first time in the series that voice acting is used. The voice of Emma's ghost whispering can be heard throughout the game.Difficulty - This is an interesting one. Ravenhearst for the first time actually gives you the opportunity to play two types of game. A regular timed one, or a relaxed mode where you can explore the mansion and locate the hidden objects at your own pace. As there are some players that no doubt would prefer to explore the mansion alone without a time limit, this additional option is a welcome one. I would say that this game is actually slightly harder when it comes to finding the objects. The door puzzle difficulty varies, and the jigsaw puzzles are relatively easy for the most part. Even then the telephone can skip as many or as little puzzles as you want, except for the final one.Re-playability - This game is definitely worth replaying it is really fun. Offering two types of game play with an engrossing storyline that is well told.However unlike Prime Suspects nothing really changes each time you play it. It is a lot more linear and the only thing that differs each time are the items that need to be found. The door Puzzles are always the same as is the Jigsaw photograph.Overall I will give this game a 7.3/10 because I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I found finding the objects considerably more challenging than the previous two games. However as I said above I think Prime Suspects beats it by a point or so due to the fact that every time you play it, each time it is a different conclusion. Ravenhearst is an amazing game don't get me wrong but it is also lot more linear too.I recommend this game for anyone that wants to play the MCF series because it is not only an enhanced game that marks the beginning of the Ravenhearst story, but it features two styles of gameplay difficulty, harder to find items, wonderfully done ambient sound and art design, and my personal favourite; the door puzzles.

I love this game, and most of its successors. Unfortunately they have not made this original game into an app for iPad, so I bought this to replace one I borrowed many years ago. Of course, it’s very unsophisticated in comparison to later Hidden Object Games, but sometimes I really like to relax with a game that’s not too complicated or demanding - newer games can be too ‘interesting’ for this mood - and this hits the spot.

There are many hidden object scenes which may get a a bit tedious but I just limited myself to about an hour a day. The jigsaw scenes were fairly easy but were often against the clock running out which added a bit of pressure. The puzzles were challenging as the solutions had to be worked out as to what was needed. The hint button was used a few times but mainly to clarify what was needed.Good value and kept me occupied for hours. On my second time round with it now so well worth the money.

I run play sessions for children after school. We have been trying to fine things the children enjoy playing. We have only had this for one session and already the children love it. The 9-12 year olds were gathered round it helping each other, it seems quite addicting. The children have very short attention spans yet this game kept them amused for 15 minutes at a time, really impressed. It is quite a challenge and quite hard to find various items but even more reason to buy it - it lasts longer than 5 minutes! It also arrived really quickly and in good condition - a cellophaned brand new CD pack box thing, like when you buy it off a shelf.

This first episode in the "Ravenhearst" game series is certainly not as good as "Return To Ravenheast" but is still worth having a go to get the gist of the plot.

This is an incredibly basic game which consists of room views with items to find, very simple jigsaw style puzzles, and Heath-Robinson style puzzles to get into some of the rooms. That`s it. Annoying repeating background music. My son likes Mystery In London and I thought this would be similar - which it is in a very cheap way. There are so many good games out there - don`t get this one!

good

ok