Mystery Case Files: Crossfade Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

351 of 418 found this review helpful

I'M GIVING IT 5-STARS BECAUSE IT'S A GR8 GAME NOT BECAUSE IT'S A GR8 MYSTERY CASE FILES GAME BECAUSE IT ISN'T

PostedNovember 24, 2020

pennmom36

fromHuntsville-timed puzzles restart w/new scenario, Prime Suspects-device requiring batteries found in HOS, Ravenhearst-Rube Goldberg puzzles Madame Fate-Word Puzzles &Morphs, Dire Grove-motion video, 13th Skull-Inter. characters, Shadow Lake-Interactive Map

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Tearstone

(62)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Completed Game a little over 7.0 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter)
20 Main Game Scene Locations +7 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate

Thank goodness you're alive Master Detective! Now for the bad news, the energy blast you caused collided with key moments in the past that have altered the future, oh snap! Timelines have been altered in four previous case files Charles Dalimar from Ravenhearst, Merideth Huxley from the Broken Hour Richard, Alison, and Ankou from the Black Veil, and our beloved Madame Fate from Fate's Carnaval. You must restore the 4 Elements and correct the twists in each of these cases to set them on a course that will concur with the original outcome.

Let's be honest, this does not meet MCF standards! It is an amazing game, clearly, GrandMa Studios has outdone themselves and poured their heart and souls into this game, it's probably one of the best games they've ever created! But that just isn't enough folks, you know it isn't! Even the last developer of this beloved series wasn't doing it justice towards the end, they were showing signs of becoming burned out after hanging on to the reins for 9 games straight. Most fans agree that Mystery Case Files is the crème de la crème of HOPA's, some gamers don't play anything but MCF. My point is, this is an honorary series and it has to be held to a higher standard than any other game. It can't just be a good game, a 5-star game, it has to be a blow your socks off, knock you off your computer chair, talk about it for years to come, kind of game! We ALL talk about our favorite Dire Grove, 13th Skull, Madame Fate, Fates Carnaval, and who doesn't love Ravenhearst, Return to Ravenhearst, and Escape From Ravenhearst? Crossfade is a fantastic game but it's not in a MCF league, it's never going to be a 13th Skull-Dire Grove kind of game...and that's what it has to be each and every time, it can't be a hit or miss or the MCF franchise's name will eventually mean nothing!?

Placing simplistic back-to-back puzzles at the end of each chapter isn't fooling true MCF fans, a Rube Goldberg puzzle is a series of clues and tasks that need to be solved in an indirect and overly complicated way. In a true MCF game, you would have to find codes and clues, each code or clue would help to solve a small puzzle which would reward the player with a riddled clue, a code or a part necessary to unlock the next puzzle section until eventually, the player solved the entire door puzzle and entered the next chapter. It was the most satisfying sense of accomplishment, these were the most unique games ever created and it was what set Mystery Case Files apart from all the other games, it instantly branded the franchise...and the absence of them instantly disenfranchised it as well!

Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE version only)
There are 54 Evidence Pieces, one of which morphs. Because they are small and plain brown cards with a simple opaque outline of a magnifying glass on them (until they go into the evidence room) they actually blend nicely and morph at a nice rate to make them challenging yet not too frustrating to find... eventually. There are also 20 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that allow you to assemble a downloadable picture, some of them are tucked away into dark corners of the zoom zones but many of them are quite large and hard to miss. GrandMa does treat us right with the collectible features, after completing the Main Game you can go into the Extra's menu and click on any of the Evidence or Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that you may have missed to be taken to the scene to search for those collectibles. After completing the Bonus Chapter, those become available as well!

Gadget/Helper:
Master Detective has a high-tech gadget that doesn't even need a new battery after the cave-in, but naturally, it needs a new antenna and it's good to go, not a scratch on it! The Gadget is used for a couple of random things such as communication and location that doesn't require anything other than the push of an accept button. After that, the Gadget gets tucked away on the inventory bar until it starts to glow red. The Gadget is then used 4 times on 4 characters to fix the alternate timelines. Each time it is used you will play 2 mini-games. The first mini-game requires you to replicate the image shown on the bottom portion of the gadget by clicking and dragging columns and rows. The second mini-game is a simplistic, Spot 8 Differences between the two images shown on the gadget. The mini-games are the same every time it is used, they just use different images.

Hidden Object Scenes:
There are only 7 Main Hidden Object Scenes, +2 in the CE Bonus Chapter! Although I'm personally not a fan of most HOP's lately, I think this is a big mistake on Granny's part because most people play these games for the HO's and hate the puzzles and this is a very puzzle-heavy game! To make matters worse for HO fans, they are mostly Interactive List Finds, there is one Silhouetted Shape Find where you drag tile sections to align objects, and one with Listed Multiples of the Same Object Finds, but all the others were simple Listed Item Finds. One of the scenes required using an ouija cursor to find the listed items on a wooden plaque and one of the listed items was a candle but there were 2 candles on the plaque, one of which wasn't acceptable? Another scene in Madame Fates Carnaval seemed like it was going to be cool, I loaded up a rifle to shoot items and I thought I was going to have the opportunity to shoot objects on a moving conveyor belt to mimic a Carnaval arcade game, but I didn't actually use the rifle, my rifle just sat there while I clicked on the objects with a cursor that turned into a hand...what a disappointment and such a lost opportunity!

Mini-Games:
There are a whopping 52 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. My biggest complaint is that MCF is special for one reason...the Rube Goldberg Door Puzzles which obviously GrandMa Studios is NOT capable of accomplishing at even a basic level, so if you can't pull this feature off, don't accept the challenge. Instead of unique Rube Goldberg door puzzles, they simply place multiple puzzles back-to-back at the end of every chapter. There is also a repetitive mini-game associated with the Gadget (see above under Gadgets) Below are some of my personal favorites:

1-Enter the code using directional arrows to turn clockwise or counter-clockwise in either 3, 4, or 7 spaces.
2-Move the heart token to the end of the maze while avoiding the badge tokens. The arrow shows the direction of the badge token's next move.
3- Change all dots to the correct color according to the image by dropping balls from the top to hit the dots which will change their color each time they are hit.
4-Connect numbered squares to circle squares. The numbers on a square indicating how many spaces it can fit. Select a number square and then a direction, a path can extend further by crossing another path.
5-Place tiles so they don't repeat in any row or column.
6-Balance the scales with equal amounts.
7-Guess the combination of colored buttons within eight tries. Yellow highlights means the color and placement are correct-blue means the color is correct but the placement is incorrect.
8-Select the prisms to guide each ray of light to its matching hourglass.

Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)
Madame Fate sees all and she has predicted that Alister will return! As Madame Fate scrambles to stop the ritual that will allow the evil Alister Dalimar to return there's one minor detail she didn't see coming, a TRAP! This is an average-length chapter that takes place over 7 Scene Locations with an additional 9 Mini-Games and a measly 2 Hidden Object Scenes. Madame Fate does have a Crystal Ball Gadget that is used 3 times during the Bonus Chapter that involves a mini-game/hidden object scene as well. You will continue collecting the final 14 Evidence Pieces/Cards and the final 8 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces as well. If you missed any of the collectibles you can return to the scenes to pick them up (the main game collectibles become available after completing the main game and the bonus chapter collectibles become available after completing the bonus chapter)

Collector's Edition Extra's:
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art Pictures, 30 Movie Cutscene Videos, 8 Music Soundtracks ♪, 9 Replayable Mini-Games♙, 9 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Achievements, 54 Evidence Pieces which are Cards with magnifying glasses (1 Morphing 1 Regular) 20 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces (used to assemble downloadable picture) 5 Main Chapters (Collapse) +Bonus Chapter (Prediction) and a Built-In Strategy Guide.

MYSTERY CASE FILES SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-Huntsville SE only (November 14-2005) 3.6
2-Prime Suspects SE only (April 6-2006) 3.8
3-Ravenhearst SE only (December 15-2006) 3.6
4-Madame Fate SE only (November 7-2007) 4.0
5-Return to Ravenhearst SE only (November 26-2008) 4.2
6-Dire Grove (November 25-2009) 4.7
7-13th Skull (November 25-2010) 4.4
8-Escape From Ravenhearst (November 23-2011) 3.6
9-Shadow Lake (November 20-2012) 2.6
10-Fate's Carnival (November 26-2013) 4.4
11-Dire Grove, Sacred Grove (November 25-2014) 3.6
12-Key to Ravenhearst (October 27-2015) 3.6
13-Ravenhearst Unlocked (November 24-2015) 3.5
14-Broken Hour (November 22-2016) 3.5
15-The Black Veil (March 23-2017) 3.0
16-The Revenant's Hunt (November 21-2017) 3.0
17-Rewind (June 21-2018) 3.4
18-The Countess (November 20-208) 3.1
19-Moths to a Flame (August 22-2019) 3.9
20-Black Crown (November 26-2019) 3.5
21-The Harbinger (August 20-2020) 3.3
22-Crossfade (November 24-2020) n/a

by: GrandMa Studios Show less

I recommend this game!

+284points

351of 418voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

121 of 146 found this review helpful

Oh, wow, GrandMA has redeemed themselves!

PostedNovember 24, 2020

TrinnyGamer

fromBergen, Norway

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

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

Current Favorite:

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

(159)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I slaughtered MCF The Harbinger, because it was the worst attempt at a MCF game.

GrandMA has listened to all the critics and done a 180. This game is night and day from their last attempt, they have really redeemed themselves!

We are going into the past, and in the first chapter we revisit Ravenhearst. Finally there is some challenge to the many puzzles I have encountered in the demo, ...Show more

I slaughtered MCF The Harbinger, because it was the worst attempt at a MCF game.

GrandMA has listened to all the critics and done a 180. This game is night and day from their last attempt, they have really redeemed themselves!

We are going into the past, and in the first chapter we revisit Ravenhearst. Finally there is some challenge to the many puzzles I have encountered in the demo, proper MCF style.

I'll include some of my all time favorites for other players if you haven't discovered them yet:

- Haunted Hotel Charles Dexter Ward
- The Lake House - Children of silence
- Nightmare adventures (once you get over the graphics
there are amazing storylines and puzzles in both games)
- Surface - Mystery of Another World
- Echoes from the past - Witch's prison (in fact all the games
in this series are great)
- Hallowed Legends - Ship of Bones
- Enigma Agency - The case of shadows
- The Lost Lands series
- MCF Fates Carnival
- MCF 13th Skull
- MCF Dire Grove

Thank you GrandMA for this gem. Can't wait til I get home later and can play the whole game.

Happy gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+96points

121of 146voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes121No25

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Overall rating

5 / 5

70 of 92 found this review helpful

Lovely Graphics and a Fun Engaging Storyline

PostedNovember 24, 2020

Annas44

fromUK

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Match 3, Word

Current Favorite:

Phenomenon: Meteorite Collector's Edition

(96)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I spent this afternoon on this game. Much longer than I was intending, but I got so caught up in the storyline I just had to keep on playing. However it was time well spent. I loved the graphics, that were bright and clear, as well as the multiple storylines that drew on previous versions and helped to maintain the pace. The puzzles were enjoyable and the only thing that would make it better for me would be an option to play Match 3 in the Hidden Object scenes. A great new addition to the Mystery Case Files games that I am sure fans of the series will enjoy. I would definitely recommend it. Enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+48points

70of 92voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

30 of 37 found this review helpful

Crossover

PostedNovember 24, 2020

mcffan101

fromMichigan

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek

(21)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

So I jumped into this not playing all of the games listed within from which the games have crossed over into this one but with a twist.

I am overall impressed with this game, this is only Grandma Studios second Mystery Case Files game and they have to incorporate a story from two different studios of the past. I can not imagine the pressure they may have been under.

If you haven't played ...Show more

So I jumped into this not playing all of the games listed within from which the games have crossed over into this one but with a twist.

If you haven't played other mystery case files games before it may not bother you for me it got me interested in playing the other ones that I have not played but it does seem that there might be a little spoiler in their for the stories so beware.

Most games that have a Bonus Chapter do nothing for the story and some can say that is the same with this one but it does have everything come full circle, meaning that the bonus chapter doesn't leave the story open ended in that sense which I appreciated.

This game is a fun good time and honestly I do not see how you could not enjoy it and it is a risky play changing companies for a series this big under Big Fish's name.

Also this isn't the first time they have used the other cases idea I think in Mystery Case Files: Moths to a Flame and Mystery Case Files: Rewind both used a similar using old cases but this one does take it to where I have not see a Mystery Case Files game use before.

I would fully recommend getting this game and okaying the MCF series. This game has some good puzzles too not always the hardest but some of my favorite types of puzzles were in this game and I do see myself replaying this in the future! Show less

I recommend this game!

+23points

30of 37voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes30No7

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Overall rating

5 / 5

42 of 56 found this review helpful

Why must all new MCF games be compared with earlier entries?

PostedNovember 29, 2020

LogieBaby

fromDo not heed the notions that masks and social distancing infringe upon our freedoms.

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):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I have read too many reviews of this game wherein the writers choose to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the new game since merely because it apparently does not measure up to previous entries. Each game should stand up to scrutiny based on its own merit. I find that Crossfade does just that. Using references to prior MCFs such as Ravenhearst, Fates Carnival and others leads me to reminisce about the genius of some of the older MCF games. As to the game play itself, Crossfade has a good mix of easy and hard to solve. This entry has what I want in a good HOPA. Enough said. Show less

I recommend this game!

+28points

42of 56voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

31 of 44 found this review helpful

my wait is over the mystery is in my hands HE HE

PostedNovember 25, 2020

heartblob

fromsouth australia

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):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Excellent game graphics puzzles there is so much to do in this game I have loved the mystery case files Ravenhurst had me hooked so inevitable that I would buy any mystery case files...
plenty to do in this game and new puzzles that I am managing to get through there was a time when I would have skipped them but these puzzles to good to miss.
Excellent game excellent story line I waited for this ...Show more

I recommend this game!

+18points

31of 44voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

15 of 20 found this review helpful

Love it ! ♡ᴗ♡

PostedDecember 13, 2020

Alexiell

fromQuébec - Canada

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, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management

Current Favorite:

The Christmas Spirit: Journey Before Christmas Collector's Edition

(50)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Great game. Another hit by GrandMa Studio.

What i love is the old vibe of the MCF fused with modern visual and gameplay. Visiting old locations is super fun and encounter the previous villains reminds me of the oll days. Everything is well done and feel coherent. The graphics are beautiful, and the story is good and credible. Many references to the old games with new devices and stuff.

The ...Show more

Great game. Another hit by GrandMa Studio.

The level of challenge is on the easy side and the puzzles of Goldberg are not there - this is the only thing i miss. The bonus level is a prequel - i'd prefer a sequel. For the rest, i love the efforts made by this developer and will gladly bought new games from them. Compare to others games of this series (after the gold age) they have done a really good job. Happy Gaming and a great holidays season 2 all ! シ Show less

I recommend this game!

+10points

15of 20voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

36 of 54 found this review helpful

Different from all other Hidden Object games

PostedNovember 24, 2020

jax2101

fromColumbus, OH

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Word

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

The Mystery Case File games are always fun and challenging and set the standard for some new types of puzzles in this genre. This installment in the series is no different and that's a good thing. Especially enjoyed the references back to previous games and characters. Nice way to tie everything together. Pace of game play is also excellent.

I recommend this game!

+18points

36of 54voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

19 of 28 found this review helpful

Stop living in the Past

PostedNovember 29, 2020

p2668

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This is an excellent game! This developer has put so much into this game, that you have to give credit where credit is due. There is so much to do and see, and it is not boring at all. It has an excellent story, and I love all the puzzles (I'm a puzzle fan). Only criticism I might have is to put more difficulty into the puzzles, like the way Elephant games used to. I don't think we will ever get back to the way the original MC games were, I guess those who want games like the original MC games, will just have to replay them, but we really have to give this series a chance to move on. It's a 5 star, in my opinion. Show less

I recommend this game!

+10points

19of 28voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

6 of 8 found this review helpful

Grandma Did It! A True MCF Game!

PostedDecember 31, 2020

lamp_post

fromPittsburgh, Pa

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):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Wow, is my first thought for this game. It truly has it all. I have to admit I have not played all of the MCF games, but I have played and own quite a few. Grandma has brought this series back to life. I am about 3/4 of the way through and I had to stop to submit this review. They have brought the previous characters to life in this game. The puzzles are fun. Some are more difficult than others as it should be. The HOP's are clear as are the morphs and collectables. The story line certainly is holding my interest. I cannot wait to get back to the rest of the game. I do not agree that MCF should be held to a higher standard "just because it is an MCF" but I will say this game is of a very high standard. Much more so than many of the previous MCF games. Give it a try and I am sure you will be amazed. Show less

I recommend this game!

+4points

6of 8voted this as helpful.

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