Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst

5 comments

1. 

   P. J. KRUEGER on March 7, 2010 at 6:35 am

   I thought I was getting a Hidden Object Game not a bizarre version of Myst. I hated this game. The creators have gone so far from the original concept that it is merely tangentially related to Huntsville. I don’t want a game that is one long puzzle. I want a Hidden Object Game. If I could give it less than one star I would.

2. 

   A. D. Lanier on March 7, 2010 at 9:31 am

   I was very unhappy that the guide was not included with the game as it would have made it more interesting to play. I have even tried to order and pay the extra amount inorder to have the guide but was unable to have the transaction work. I like the game for as far as I have been able to play it but without the guide, it is almost impossible to complete it. I gave it a 2-star because of not having the guide included and it was not even offered at the time of purchase of the game. And since I cannot complete the game without it, I felt it was a waste of money.

3. 

   S. Manthey on March 7, 2010 at 10:00 am

   Not as much fun as I expected. Instructions aren’t clear on how to navigate. I was expecting more of a puzzle game like Hide and Seek.

4. 

   Laika on March 7, 2010 at 10:38 am

   I really, really wanted to like this game. I loved “Madame Fate,” so I hoped that the next Mystery Case Files game would be as good or better. And “Return to Ravenhearst” actually is a good game…it’s just not so much a hidden object game. The premise is that you have returned to Ravenhearst Manor, after learning that other people are still trapped there. The plot is genuinely creepy, and it unfolds as you explore hidden parts of the mansion and talk to ghosts.

   Yeah, that’s right. You “explore” and “talk,” and those don’t really belong in a hidden object game, do they? “Return” is really more of an adventure game. You travel through the mansion and grounds, solving various puzzles and unlocking hidden rooms. One of the puzzles is the standard hidden object game, but that’s actually a pretty small part of the gameplay. You also meet with various ghosts and other sorts in the mansion, and actually, while they speak to you, you can’t reply. In a lot of ways, the game has a “7th Guest” vibe to it.

   Honestly, so many parts of this game appeal to me that I should have loved it. The problem is, I just didn’t. I like adventure games, and I like hidden object games, but to me those are two totally different gaming experiences, and they just didn’t mesh well. The graphics are beautiful, but I quickly came to resent having to run all over the house when I just wanted to relax and find things. And the hidden object games were nicely done, but some of the objects blended in so well that they were nearly impossible to find.

   There are also no time limits in “Return,” and I was surprised at how much that affects the gameplay. You can skip any puzzle you choose, with the only punishment being that the game will add extra time onto your overall game time. Of course that doesn’t mean much, unless you’re worried about bragging rights. There are also unlimited hints, although you need to wait for the hint meter to fill up after each hint. I’m sure some people will appreciate this change; I didn’t, because I always liked the limited hint feature. It made me much more cautious about when I used them.

   Overall, this is a very well-made game, and I’m sure a lot of people will love it. Sadly, I’m not one of those people. I just didn’t enjoy the way the adventure and hidden object elements came together, and I never felt much urgency in the story. Sure, the plot was creepy, but it’s hard to worry when time/hints aren’t resources to be hoarded. Overall, I’m giving this game four stars because of its quality, but for me personally, it’s closer to three stars.

5. 

   I. Santos on March 7, 2010 at 12:28 pm

   The game is very well designed – hat off to the developer(s).
   
   However, if you play to relax or have little patience, this game is not for you.