It seems only appropriate with the dark mornings and evenings closing in that it was time to tear the seal on Mystery Case Files : Raven Hearst , install and play. MCF Ravenhearst is a hidden object game first released on casual gaming sites for download in 2006 and now published on hard disc by Focus Multimedia.
In MCF Ravenhearst you are assigned the job of investigating the creepy, and quite run down Ravenhearst Manor located in Blackpool. The discovery of the late resident Emma Ravenhearst’s diary and it’s missing pages is the key to solving the mystery.
The basic game play is similar to other games of this genre – find all the objects listed amongst the clutter and boy these rooms have a lot of clutter. As in all these games it’s the quality of presentation that usually sets the MCF titles above the others. There are 32 rooms or areas in total to investigate and each level / chapter is neatly presented in file or folders and you select which room on whatever floor you wish to visit.
At the end of each level you will have to piece together an old photograph which will reveal a new diary page. This new page reveals the ongoing story of Emma drawing the gamer into the storyline and there is such a compulsion to complete the game just to find out what became of Emma.
Hidden object games have moved on vastly since Ravenhearst was first released and while piecing together photographs in jigsaw style puzzles may not seem the most exciting of mini puzzles, Ravenhearst has a little gem up its sleeve.
Certain rooms in the manor have elaborate locking systems and these are the puzzles were you have to get the old grey matter to work! These are a lot of fun and the bits I looked forward to most. They’re creative, innovative ,sophisticated and humorous and add a new twist to the genre.
Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst although it follows the same patterns as the majority of hidden object games is elevated by its story driven nature and lock systems. There are two modes in which you can play – Detective and Relaxed. The modes are both timed but Relaxed gives you a lot longer in which to complete.
You have five hints per round which will pinpoint the area in which to search. At the beginning I tended to save these as there were some Americanisms (even though it was set in Blackpool!) until I became familiar some terms.
Replay ability is great as random item lists throw up a new set of clues each time you start a new game and even though the game is now 3yrs old the creativity employed at the time ensures the puzzles are current.
Marks out of 10
Sound:8.5 – excellent atmospheric background music – creaks and moans !
Graphics:9 – crisp clean graphics with brilliant tools
Gameplay: 9 – story driven, the lock systems and replay ability factor all excellent
Lifespan: 9 – worthy of revisiting regularly
Top Star goes to the intricate locking puzzles
view all of Focus Multi media hidden object games here
