Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

178 of 202 found this review helpful

A Very Dire Grove

PostedDecember 19, 2014

pennmom36

fromI seemed pretty nonchalant about the man lying face down in the snow, I'll get back to ya once I figure out this puzzle!

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat Collector's Edition

(100)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Dire Grove is very dire indeed, this grove has been plagued with wild animals who have been attacking the townsfolk completely unprovoked, and to make matters worse, the temperatures have plummeted to minus 30 degrees, turning the entire grove into a frozen tundra and forcing the town to evacuate their homes. Only a few hunters have remained in town determined to hunt down those responsible for ...Show more

Dire Grove is very dire indeed, this grove has been plagued with wild animals who have been attacking the townsfolk completely unprovoked, and to make matters worse, the temperatures have plummeted to minus 30 degrees, turning the entire grove into a frozen tundra and forcing the town to evacuate their homes. Only a few hunters have remained in town determined to hunt down those responsible for the phenomenon, the Druid Mistwalkers! They've already captured one, could he be responsible for the town's curse?

There are lot's new features in this game, starting with the option of choosing which gender of Master Detective you want to portrait, male or female! There isn't a custom difficulty mode which surprises me, but there are several modes to choose from including the most insane difficulty which gives you no hints, no skips, and no direction at all, to make it even more challenging you must complete the game with time limits! Although we have seen this feature before, it's still a cool feature that allows you to ask a slew of important questions whenever you speak with one of the characters. Several questions will pop up within a dialog window allowing you to ask specific questions in whatever order you choose. As a detective, you must find several items of evidence, once you have found all pieces of evidence pertaining to different subjects, you will put all the pieces together and deduce the evidence which is basically a narration tying the evidence collected so far, together. Some of the inventory items have plus signs indicating that you must interact with that item, such as combining that item with another inventory item, before you can use it, such as replacing batteries in a flashlight.

The Hidden Object Scenes are creative, with extremely interactive list finds, requiring several interactions with several of the items as well as quick little mini games within the scenes. There are also HO's requiring you to find 12 icicles, 12 birds and 12 lights, and even this HO is interactive. Then there's the mini games, ooohhh those mind bending interactive puzzles mad famous in Fates Carnival. You know the ones, figuring out how to solve a seemingly impossible (seemingly yet possible) and lengthy interactive puzzle by flipping switches, clicking on buttons, bells and whistles in a specific order in hopes that you did it correctly and don't have to hit the reset button. Aaaarrrr, but I love it! Don't worry, there are the normal mini games as well, such as plugging wires into two different shapes so that the combined shapes match the example shown!

The Collectors Edition has Wallpapers, Concept Art, Achievements, Music, Puzzle Piece Collections, Videos, Dire Grove Collectibles, a built in Strategy Guide and an Alternate Ending, making this edition a must have for all us Mystery Case Files fans, enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+154points

178of 202voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

84 of 92 found this review helpful

Loved it!!

PostedDecember 22, 2014

ipprocessdoc

fromAustin Texas

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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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Skill Level:Expert

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I have played all of the MCF games and this one is one of the better ones. Other reviewers have complained about it not being a sequel to Dire Grove but the title NEVER says it is so that's a bad reason for giving the game a bad review. The graphics were really good, the music was good, and the games were superb. I do not like having to play HOGs where you have to find a dozen or so objects in a ...Show more

I have played all of the MCF games and this one is one of the better ones. Other reviewers have complained about it not being a sequel to Dire Grove but the title NEVER says it is so that's a bad reason for giving the game a bad review. The graphics were really good, the music was good, and the games were superb. I do not like having to play HOGs where you have to find a dozen or so objects in a mess of a pile so it was awesome that this game had only a few of those. The games here are of the type where you have to perform some action in order for the next action to be active. It doesn't always make sense right away but it sure is a lot of fun making it work! And yes the story makes perfect sense. Don't let that keep you from playing a really fun game! Show less

I recommend this game!

+76points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

47 of 50 found this review helpful

I tip my hat to you, sir..!

PostedMarch 9, 2015

jolarti

fromNetherlands

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove

(61)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Oh... My... God! Can I just say how deeply impressed I am with this one? Finally a BFG production that actually feels inspired.
Me: a guy in his late thirties with lots of experience in Myst adventures and 'Escape the room' games. I recently discovered the whole MCF series and have played almost all of them. And this one... is very, very good. Very.
Often times, with the other MCF's, I felt I was ...Show more

Oh... My... God! Can I just say how deeply impressed I am with this one? Finally a BFG production that actually feels inspired.
Me: a guy in his late thirties with lots of experience in Myst adventures and 'Escape the room' games. I recently discovered the whole MCF series and have played almost all of them. And this one... is very, very good. Very.
Often times, with the other MCF's, I felt I was playing children's games, with adult visuals. Sacred Grove is much, much better: the story, the atmosphere, the choosing of genders, the navigation with the map, the crazy occasional puzzles, beautiful HOS (without the annoying morphing scenes that make me want to strangle the devs).
Oh man, maybe I haven't played enough in this genre yet? But this one really is by far the best I've seen so far. Hopefully there will be more like this! I don't usually buy games and I like to give extremely snarky and critical reviews, but for this one I will be glad to purchase the Collectors' Edition, because I honestly would love to play this again.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

**Slight tiny spoiler**
The only bad thing in this game was something in the storyline about the brothers in the end; you must be like 9 years old or younger if you didn't see that one coming... Yet it did not take away from the gameplay. Show less

I recommend this game!

+44points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

56 of 62 found this review helpful

MCF fans, don't trust the low rating

PostedJanuary 11, 2015

jenjarrett

fromRussia

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Having finished the game in hard mode, I struggle to understand the low rating given to it by many and many players. It is a classical, typical, model MCF series game which is by no means different from the best of its predecessors - and I have played them all, except "Shadow Lake" (now I wonder if I should give that one a try, too). The storyline has many twists and turns, the graphics are ...Show more

Having finished the game in hard mode, I struggle to understand the low rating given to it by many and many players. It is a classical, typical, model MCF series game which is by no means different from the best of its predecessors - and I have played them all, except "Shadow Lake" (now I wonder if I should give that one a try, too). The storyline has many twists and turns, the graphics are beautiful, the level of challenge is adjustable, and there are big compound puzzles - the trademark of MCF and the main reason why I do love the series. I bought this game with a certain deal of doubt based on the reviews, but now I am at a loss as to what the unhappy players expected. Yes, the story is not the direct sequel of the first Dire Grove - but there are references to it, and, after all, nobody promised it would be. Yes, the minigames are difficult - but this is how they have always been. In the first MCF games they did not even have the "hint" button. If a game seems hard to a player, this is not because the game is bad, don't you think? So if you really love the whole series and enjoy the exclusive minigames that make your brain actually work, do not think twice. This is a must have. Show less

I recommend this game!

+50points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

24 of 28 found this review helpful

A GREAT CHALLENGE !!!

PostedJanuary 4, 2015

recruiting

fromChicoutimi, Quebec, Canada

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This game is very challenging, the mini games were extremely well done. I just really enjoyed everything about the game and recommend it for those who actually want to use their brains and have a lot of fun at the same time.

I recommend this game!

+20points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

19 of 21 found this review helpful

Amazing Game!

PostedFebruary 12, 2015

Homeimps

fromPalm Desert, CA

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove

(61)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

The MCF games have been progressively better as the series has been developed and this is the best yet. It will be hard to top but I certainly hope the creators will try their best to do so. Even the Hidden Object parts are done with a twist so are not boring. The puzzles were a challenge, even for an older, experienced player like me and were a lot of fun to figure out. Thanks much for an ...Show more

The MCF games have been progressively better as the series has been developed and this is the best yet. It will be hard to top but I certainly hope the creators will try their best to do so. Even the Hidden Object parts are done with a twist so are not boring. The puzzles were a challenge, even for an older, experienced player like me and were a lot of fun to figure out. Thanks much for an excellent game! Show less

I recommend this game!

+17points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

24 of 29 found this review helpful

As usual from MCF...it's great!

PostedJanuary 3, 2015

chowell24

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I'm not understanding how the reviews have this game at 3 stars but its certainly 5! Out of all, the storyline is the weakest but still good. And I only say that because it didnt seem to follow the storyline from Dire Grove. The puzzles are amazing but tricky. But is that not half the fun? The graphics are beautiful! This is definitely the type of game I strive to find!!

I recommend this game!

+19points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

10 of 12 found this review helpful

Another quality MCF game

PostedFebruary 14, 2015

Wryte

fromLansing MI

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I have played all the Mystery Case File games and find Sacred Grove to be up to the usual MCF standards. Although the storyline is not as exciting as some of the others, it has a solid and deep story and the puzzles, especially the few rather complex ones, are quite entertaining. Very few HO style puzzles, which I personally prefer. Overall a quality quick-play game.

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

18 of 25 found this review helpful

Loved it

PostedJanuary 2, 2015

calabashbb

fromNorth Carolina

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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, Match 3, Mahjong

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

You can't go wrong on a "Mystery Case Files" game, no matter if it's a first or a sequel. I bought the CE on a 2 for 1 deal and enjoyed everything about the game, the bonus and the other ending. I missed a couple puzzle pieces, but got all the collectibles.

I recommend this game!

+11points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

BEYOND THE DEMO: Based on full SE & CE bonus & what you could be missing!

PostedDecember 7, 2015

kerith90angel

fromIf you are trying to decide between the SE & CE...this game has the most CE content I've ever seen.

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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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files ®: 13th Skull ™ Collector's Edition

(159)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

****may contain spoilers*****
To see other reviews: click on the person's Big Fish ID/name in blue....
THIS GAME HAD THE BEST COLLECTABLE I HAVE EVER PLAYED..... IT HAD A PURPOSE, AND I REALLY FELT REWARDED!
With the release of the new MCF #12 Key to R., I'd realized I am a couple MCF behind...so I just finished both CE I own of MCF Escape from Ravenh, & this one Dire G Sacred G. waiting for the ...Show more

****may contain spoilers*****
To see other reviews: click on the person's Big Fish ID/name in blue....
THIS GAME HAD THE BEST COLLECTABLE I HAVE EVER PLAYED..... IT HAD A PURPOSE, AND I REALLY FELT REWARDED!
With the release of the new MCF #12 Key to R., I'd realized I am a couple MCF behind...so I just finished both CE I own of MCF Escape from Ravenh, & this one Dire G Sacred G. waiting for the new one to come out in SE.

First of all... this is BY FAR the LONGEST game I have ever played. The SE took me-5 hrs, Bonus Play took-2 hrs 42 min, and Altern ending took- 1 hr 15min for the complete play gametime = 9- NINE hours! the bonus alone is around 4 hours between both bonus options. /which is 1 hr short of the main game! So for this ALONE... if you enjoyed the SE and are deciding to go back for a replay,,,,, this one is WELL WORTH YOUR PENNY!! I will talk more about the bonus play in a minute. But for now, these are the other things this CE has to offer.
I actually cringed when I saw the first cut scene with hunters holding guns. I've put this game off for a long time because I am a huge animal lover and not a fan of guns or traps in games. I am SO GLAD I played this game though, because the story isn't quite what it appeared to be. No animals are hurt, but one "spirit bear" is shot in the 1st Bonus play... -- yet he lives instead-- in the Alternate ending, way better. After I played the demo a bit, I realized the PUZZLE PIECES YOU COLLECT ARE FOR 4 JIGSAW PUZZLES YOU PUT TOGETHER IN THE SE. As you complete each puzzle you can SET A SCREENSAVER TO YOUR DESKTOP! Seriously.... I felt like I had collected and collected items from all these games for this very moment!! They had a purpose folks!! IT WAS SOOOOOO SMART AND SOOOO FUN to keep putting together the jigsaw picture so I could set the next screensaver. This is BY FAR the best collectable I've had in a game. The other Collectable being - I think there were 9 houses that morphed in some scenes and at the end there is a page for them where you can turn on/off the lights in the model houses, or a string of xmas lights, or car lights etc. very cute.
1. 5 SCREENSAVERS: - That double as collectable puzzle pieces. I ADORED this little hunt and was THRILLED when I thought they ended at 4 SS at the end of the SE, only to find there was a whole NEW puzzle in the Bonus Play! Sadly, though, I MISSED a piece and could not go back to get it when credits rolled after Bonus play #1 ended. SO. BE SURE TO LOOK FOR ALL THOSE PIECES BEFORE CREDITS using the WTG before the game end!! So I guess if I want the last Screensaver I will have to play the first bonus play again --which took me almost 3 hours to begin with! These also save to your computer's doc file
2. A 78 pg. /6 chapter/ and a bonus chapter Walkthrough Guide. Chapters 1-6/are 49 pgs & make up the Standard Edition. The 1st bonus chapter is from pgs.49-63/ where the puzzle pieces are from pgs 64-66/ Models you collect pg 67 and the 2nd bonus play or Alternate ending pgs 68-78.
3. 15 WALLPAPERS that save to ur doc file- but 2 remain locked until bonus completed- geez DEV... PLEASE LET US HAVE ALL GOODIES UP FRONT!!
4. 12 CONCEPT ART- saveable with Elephant Logo.
5. 5 MUSIC TRACKS- that save. I only noticed 2.... the typical MCF theme, and a song they used in the HOS that was driving me crazy.... I could not stand that HO song! for all Ho games it seemed to be the same song!
6. 10 Video cut scenes- but 2 are still locked after SE, need to complete bonus to get see them all again.
7. MORE ON THE BONUS PLAY- First of all, I don't feel the Standard edition ended making much sense. I feel like the "Alternate ending" your given may have been a Chapter 7 at one point for the SE and removed. The Alternate ending makes the entire convoluted story make sense. I just felt the SE storyline was a little discombobulated without that ending.
SO. ~IF YOU CAN~ PLAY ALT.ENDING- on the upper R in bonus BEFORE you play the BONUS PLAY. Because the bonus play story doesn't even make sense UNTIL you play the ALT ENDING- which I wish I'd played first to tie up the loose ends of the Standard edition.
CHAPTER 6 in the SE is absolutely gorgeous and most if not all the Alternated ending is replayed in this area. Most of the MG and HOs are ALSO SE repeats. You only have Bjorns squirrel once in the Alt ending where-as he is an adorable little helper ALL through the Bonus Play. You realize, or remember that is... your nemesis Alister from MCF Fates Carnival is in this game too...but I had forgotten him until his connection was mentioned in the Alternate ending.
8. BONUS PLAY- again, if possible play it AFTER the alternate ending. One is one the top of the Left column in Bonus and the Alt ending addl. play is on the Right column.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BONUS' I'VE EVER PLAYED, and trust me, I have played A LOT!

If you play Alternate Bonus Ending first, it is a complete ending to the Standard Edition.
Then go on to the Bonus Play and you start out, it is 4 hours later, you are in your, literally, frozen car and find out there is another evil doer in town! He is called the Hermit, and you must find him so he stops controlling the minds of some of the previous characters we've met in the standard edition.

There are 14 new or revised to look new areas of play, I counted 10 new mini-games and only 3 new HOS. I wish that had been reversed. I WOULD BET, IF BIG FISH POLLED ITS CUSTOMERS, MOST OF US WOULD RATHER HAVE MORE HOS IN A HO GAME THEN THE MINIGAMES. I'm not quite sure why the genre of HO game ends up now a days being a MG- Adventure. But I digress.
I just can't tell you how gorgeous this game gets from Chapter 6 right on through for another approx.3 hours of bonus. It continues snowing but you are mostly in the area of the mist walkers turf which was just great.
I would have been really bummed if the Alt. Ending had been the only bonus play due to the repetition.... but you get every pennies worth in this CE.... because this Chapter /and it IS a Chapter or more/ is REALLY NEEDED to make this entire game, including the standard edition, to make sense.

9. Acheiv. Page... I personally feel Acheiv. are a waste of time in CE. Could care less. But for those of you who do.... I really don't know if completing these unlocks more or not.... I never completed. But-- one neat thing that is different-- Geez, you really do have to LOVE ELEPHANT FOR CE DETAIL.... There is a gorgeous little area Achievements are collected-- like in a Stonehenge picture. When you click on each Achievm. it has a little reward icon such as, one was a bronze owl, and it come up close for inspection when you click it.

DEAR ELEPHANT GAMES,
Holy Toledo I am such a fan of yours!! You did justice to the MCF, such a baby of Big Fish and you should be so proud! I wanted to take the time and thank you for 9 full hours of my life collecting those little jigsaw pieces and one by one going back to create my 5, count them, 5 screensavers!! I know this is stupid, but I feel like I won the lotto when I saw the first jigsaw turn into a SETTING for my desktop. YOU ALL GIVE SO much attention, detail, and LOVE to your games. I had such a blast in this GORGEOUS world of a game you created. Each and every one of you gets hugs from this Big Fish fan! Hats off to the Voice actors here, all A+. Tim Simmons, the voice of The Hermit, and Bjorn was SO WELL DONE!!// yes, I do read the credits....
btw... I recently saw one DEV add picts of the game Creators in the credits with what area of game they worked on and it WILL make people watch those credits.
FINALLY.... PLEASE ELEPHANT.... BRING US MORE LIKE THIS FOR COLLECTIONS, the jigsaw, to Screensavers!/ Morphs in each scene are also fun instead of the larger statues.
Thanks again Elephant- & Big Fish Games!! Show less

I recommend this game!

+5points

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