Mystery Case Files®: Escape from Ravenhearst™ Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

292 of 344 found this review helpful

A Very Unusual Game

PostedNovember 25, 2011

Valdy

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I have now completed the game, and what a long and interesting (and sometimes stomach-churning) game this was.

Widescreen worked for me - laptop, Win7, 64-bit.

Voices were well done.

I used the custom cursor so that I could see the changes when moving over different parts.

There are no sparkles.

There are no instructions for how to do the puzzles.

There is very little, if any, information on ...Show more

I have now completed the game, and what a long and interesting (and sometimes stomach-churning) game this was.

Widescreen worked for me - laptop, Win7, 64-bit.

Voices were well done.

I used the custom cursor so that I could see the changes when moving over different parts.

There are no sparkles.

There are no instructions for how to do the puzzles.

There is very little, if any, information on how to proceed, except in the SG, which moved its pages (although slightly behind) with my game progress.

Graphics are very good.

There is one HOS (hidden object scene). Otherwise there are MOS (morphing object scenes), but not all that many. They seemed to get less the further I got into the game.

There is no bonus chapter - just as well as we all always moan about the shortness of bonus games.
Instead, you will get extra gameplay throughout the game. Check out the SG (strategy guide). When you see a diamond in the top right-hand corner of a page, that page is extra playtime, which is exclusive to the CE.

There is no map, but a diary, in which you will find 2 tabs. You aren't told what they are for, but you will find out very quickly...

This was one strange and interesting game. And I am glad I bought the CE. A lot of people who will buy the SE (standard edition) might struggle with the game, because there is no in-built SG.
I never had to use the Strategy Guide before when playing a CE, but I had to use it very often with this game. Show less

I recommend this game!

+240points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

522 of 635 found this review helpful

Hold On To Your Tail Fins Fishies

PostedNovember 23, 2011

AZKalona

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I just played the demo for this game. It is just awesome. Great graphics and I mean great graphics. I am a serious Mystery Case File Junkie. I own every one ever made. Big Fish Studios you have out done yourself on this one.

Finding Morphing Objects instead on Hidden Object Scenes was a very smart thing to do. The story starts with you going back to Ravenhearst due to the disappearance of a ...Show more

Finding Morphing Objects instead on Hidden Object Scenes was a very smart thing to do. The story starts with you going back to Ravenhearst due to the disappearance of a person. The similarities end there. The graphics are just awesome, voice overs just great and the stratagy guide is very unique.

You will not be disappointed if you purchase this game. In my opinion, it is the best one yet. Fitting if it is indeed the last one of the series. Great awesome job Big Fish. I am off to buy it. Show less

I recommend this game!

+409points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

212 of 258 found this review helpful

The BEST MCF yet! *may contain spoilers*

PostedNovember 23, 2011

cme550

fromIndianapolis, IN

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files®: Escape from Ravenhearst™ Collector's Edition

(896)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Wow, just wow. I'm not finished the game, but I can tell you that this game is AMAZING! It really is a psychological thriller! It has the feeling of watching a real creepy movie, which is just what I love!

The hidden object scenes are replaced with morphing objects. This is definitely not for everyone. Some people don't like this idea. I think it's a nice new twist to the game, but I wouldn't ...Show more

The hint button charges very quickly. The strategy guide is different as well. It just shows pictures of what to do instead of text. I didn't like it at first, but it's really not that bad.

This game is definitely worth the price of the CE, especially if you are interested in the Ravenhearst games. Show less

I recommend this game!

+166points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

232 of 285 found this review helpful

Challenging and loving it!

PostedNovember 23, 2011

luvtoread

fromJohnstown, NY

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I feel that BF has done an excellent job with this.
It still has that "Ravenhurst" feel to it, as far as
the graphics and the setting is concerned.
But it is also updated and I'm so glad that they are
thinking outside the game box with the morphing
objects rather then the Hidden Objects.
I was surprised when I read from others that there
was no different levels, but once I started playing I
really ...Show more

I recommend this game!

+179points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

121 of 146 found this review helpful

Hold On To Your Head - It May Start Spinning...

PostedNovember 24, 2011

textrekkie

fromDallas, TX

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Mystery Case Files Escape from Ravenhearst is a game that will thrill you, chill you, make you question your views on certain aspects of life and then leave you wanting to phone your mother just so you can hear her voice. In short, it's a trip down the rabbit hole--only the rabbit you're chasing is truly demented and named Charles. This is a game only BFG Studios could have done and they did it ...Show more

Never has there been a game like this one. It starts slowly...you're sifting your way through the rubble of Ravenhearst because you received a note..."I've got something to show you"...and some news clippings that people are once again, disappearing in Blackpool. The ghosts that you previously freed have warned you to stay away - something bad is going on and they can't protect you. They can help by manipulating some objects, but they still urge you to leave...and they will 'pop' in at odd places to remind you...leave...leave...leave before it's too late. But of course you don't listen...and so the fun begins.

The game offers one mode of play, no sparkles, a limited (but curious) journal, and a strategy guide with picture representations (no text.) There are several areas where you identify 'morphing' objects and in turn, you receive an inventory item. It's a unique twist on the standard HOS and I have to say I found it very refreshing and a welcome change of pace.

This is an adventure game. Those accustomed to using Strategy Guides and walkthroughs are going to be challenged in this game. There are lots and lots of puzzles and you have to figure out for yourself what to do to solve them. The SG does have pictures, however, many, many of the puzzles have random solutions. Again, there is no text in the SG. Also, the journal doesn't record all the details or information you will need to get through the game. There is a hint button and you can skip some of the puzzles, but you can't skip them all.

There is no separate bonus chapter in this game. Instead, there are extras available for the purchasers of the CE that won't be available to those who purchase the SE. These extras include fun additional morphing objects that, if all found, lead to some fun hidden object scenes.

My total play time, using no hints, no skips, no strategy guide, no journal, taking copious notes (I now have my own walkthrough-LOL) enjoying the time, savoring the atmosphere, the gameplay, the sheer madness of it all, was 12.5 hours. And I loved every demented minute of it. Show less

I recommend this game!

+96points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

60 of 71 found this review helpful

A wonderful game that might not be for everyone.

PostedNovember 27, 2011

ml011384

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files®: Escape from Ravenhearst™ Collector's Edition

(896)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Where should I begin? This is certainly not a game for everyone, and children should definitely be shooed out of the room before playing. Many of the contents in the game are rather inappropriate for the younger generations. In addition to that, people who are considering to buy this game better take heed to Big Fish Games's warning: They are not kidding you when they tell you that this game is a psychological thriller. Some of the contents in this game can be extremely disturbing to certain group of people. Do NOT be fooled by what you go through in the demo since it hardly brushes upon the surface of what you will go through in the purchased game.

With that said, I have to say that this game was truly fun, and by the end of the game, I am absolutely in love with it. At first, I couldn't really get into the game, seeing that I'm not a big fan of morphing objects, even when they first appeared in Madame Fate and later on in Dire Grove. I just didn't find them fun. So, when I found out that most of the hidden objects scenes had been replaced by morphing objects scenes, my first thought was "tedious," especially after I finished the first morphing objects scene.

By the time I finished the demo, I was of two minds:

1) I dislike morphing objects. Can I really stand going through a game that has solely morphing objects scenes instead of the traditional hidden objects scenes?

2) But this is Mystery Case Files, and I had waited for this installment for so long. I really, really wanted to know what happened next in this series.

In the end, my curiosity got the best of me and I went ahead and bought the game.

Boy, am I glad I did. The puzzles are, in my opinion, very challenging. Here, I will have to bring up one of the cons that I have for the game: I wished that the devs would've added at least a "Help" button for the mini-games, since I have absolutely no idea what to do when I click into the game and have to consult the Strategy Guide. Many people do not like the Strategy Guide too much, feeling that they don't contain enough information, since there's no written text in there. Personally, I felt that the pictures were a bit too much information, since I basically know EVERYTHING I needed to do after I checked in there. I realize that this was probably done because there were many complaints about too much hand-holding for 13th Skull, but a help button on the side makes it optional for whether the player wanted that help or not. ;)

Nonetheless, the mini-games were a LOT of fun, very creative, and very different from the mini-games that I had seen in other games (and trust me when I say I have a lot of games on my computer).

The morphing objects scene, as I had mentioned, aren't exactly my favorite type of game play. A lot of times, I find myself staring at the computer screen, willing the last morphing object to just appear already. Of course, that sometimes just doesn't work out and I have to use the hint button. Thankfully, the hint button recharges rather quickly, so no worries there.

A second con about the game is the fact that the hint button only works in the mini-games and the morphing objects scenes. I would've preferred it much more if the hint button also could give us pointers in regards to where I should go next and so on, so I wouldn't have to run around the game like a headless chicken or consult the Strategy Guide. Though it's not so bad since the scenes of this game (except for certain scenes that were purposely gross; even then, the visual quality is amazing) were absolutely gorgeous.

Back to the morphing objects: I do realize that many players had expressed their love for them and Big Fish Games is aiming to do something different with each new installment of MCF. Nonetheless, I sort of hoped that there could've been a mix of morphing objects scenes and hidden objects scenes. I find myself longing to replay Return to Ravenhearst a few times after too many morphing objects scenes, just so I can play some of the hidden objects scenes every once in a while. However, the morphing objects scenes did somewhat grow on me after a while and didn't bother me as much. It did also help that there weren't as many morphing objects scenes later on in the game, and things were more focused on puzzles and adventure.

Kudos to everyone who had taken part in making this game: There were many parts that had me chuckling throughout the game, and the voice-overs and acting were extremely well-done and highly believable.

The graphics were top-notch and very realistic, though as I have mentioned, some of it might be a bit mentally disturbing to some people. I had to turn the sounds on and off throughout the game, depending on where I'm playing the game on my laptop. I, personally, felt that the graphics and sounds definitely fitted the story line.

(POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT)

Considering what the story line is about, it will be impossible to make things less than they were in the game. To make things less would make the story unrealistic and wouldn't give the game character's personality/behavior justice. I realize that some people might feel that this is just a game and shouldn't be so realistic, but then again, that's why there's the warning in the summary of this game. Besides, the contents in Return of Ravenhearst is arguably just as debatable as the contents for Escape from Ravenhearst.

(SPOILER ALERT END)

The biggest complaint I have though is that after I played this game, I can't help but compare every other demo I have on my computer to this. I just find all the other demos of hidden objects games way too easy and not as much fun, and I completely blame this on the devs over at Big Fish Games. You've definitely set a new high standard for games with Escape from Ravenhearst.

All in all, I give this game 5 out of 5 stars, and I certainly can't wait for the next installment - this is a bit presumptuous on my part, since this might very well be the last game, which will make me extremely upset. From what I've gathered throughout the game, I'm assuming that there's more games to come for Mystery Case Files. I certainly hope I'm not being delusional, and hopefully, we will see a new MCF game next year. Show less

I recommend this game!

+49points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

44 of 51 found this review helpful

I say, MCF is BACK!

PostedNovember 27, 2011

BluesyBlue

fromFinland

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Strategy

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files®: Escape from Ravenhearst™ Collector's Edition

(896)

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Me and my wife are great fans of Hidden Object Adventure games and we always play them together. Here's what we thought about this one...

I give you... the Good and the Bad and the Conclusion:

+ Stunning visuals and smooth animations
+ Really challenging and elaborate
+ The mood that the sounds and the most detailed scenes create
+ Very interesting story

- Morphing objects / lack of hidden ...Show more

Me and my wife are great fans of Hidden Object Adventure games and we always play them together. Here's what we thought about this one...

I give you... the Good and the Bad and the Conclusion:

+ Stunning visuals and smooth animations
+ Really challenging and elaborate
+ The mood that the sounds and the most detailed scenes create
+ Very interesting story

- Morphing objects / lack of hidden objects

THE CONCLUSION:
First of all, this game really isn't for kids or for the faint hearted ones! It can be very qrotesque, disgusting and frightening for some. Me and my wife sure had our own scenes where we really didn't want to return.

But man, is this game great or what! The story is very strong and interesting. Finally there were some really great challenges that forced us to stop playing for the evening and start again with a clear mind next day, just to get further in the game. Like I said, the theme really isn't for everyone, but we didn't get bothered by it. The sounds might cloud your mind a bit though sometimes. The scenes has that strange way of making you feel growingly anxious.

The game mostly is very disturbing and horror themed, but there are some surely funny moments too. Unfortunately, we just go to the group that doesn't really fancy the morphing objects. We prefer the hidden ones. We just sighed everytime those came up and felt it slowed things down and took some fun out of it, hence the small minus in fun factor rating. I think morphs are fine as a bonus, like this one has inside the notebook, but wouldn't want them into the actual game. Oh speaking of notebook, don't expect pretty much any help or clues from there.

All in all, it is an amazing addition to the series! If the theme just hits you, you'll be spending many hours with this one.

ps. stick through the credits for some fun footage ^^ Show less

I recommend this game!

+37points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

21 of 21 found this review helpful

Scary, Creepy, Unsettling, Pyschological........

PostedOctober 16, 2017

J9CT

fromSouth Africa

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files: Escape from Ravenhearst

(473)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Review based on the SE. This is a masterpiece of a game, you just don't get better than this!!!!

This game has everything that a horror movie has: insane asylum, mannequins, childhood trauma, mental disorders etc. This was really a fun, dark, unsettling game to play but I don't recommend to those who scare easily. The storyline and puzzles will keep you intrigued and challenged. I dare you to ...Show more

Review based on the SE. This is a masterpiece of a game, you just don't get better than this!!!!

I recommend this game!

+21points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

116 of 154 found this review helpful

Fun Hidden Morphing Object Game!!

PostedNovember 23, 2011

27heb49

fromRomsey, Australia

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

So far have only played the demo, which finished upon unlocking the lighthouse door. The closing scenes give a glimpse of what's in store if you buy the game. Of course, I immediately bought it.
The game had me in its grasp from the get-go. The graphics are excellent, the ease of play is way up there and the story-line has me intrigued. (Being a Ravenhearst fan also helps#.
The HO scenes are actually morphing object scenes, another reason for purchase #you are told how many there are to find, and get a useful item at the end).
The Strategy Guide is available in-game and keeps your place.
Thanks BFG, this game is a definite winner!!! Show less

I recommend this game!

+78points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

149 of 201 found this review helpful

Thank you for bringing back the creepy factor

PostedNovember 23, 2011

Janboogie

fromBrooklyn NY

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Not going to lie. I had my doubts about the new MCF only because The 13th skull was not scary and neither was dire grove. (just my opinion). I really did not like the addition of humans throughout the game. I got spoiled graphically from Huntsville all the way to Madame Fate. The effects and visuals especially on Ravenhearst and Madame Fate were ASTOUNDING. This game is beautiful , scary, visually ...Show more

I recommend this game!

+97points

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