Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst
Game Review

MCF: Ravenhearst marks a stylistic change from the previous MCF titles. The previous titles revolve around the detective (that's you) searching for clues to catch suspects in various crimes. MCF: Ravenhearst is more of a mystery thriller. You have been sent by the Queen (yes, really) to investigate the history of an imposing deserted mansion in the picturesque English countryside. It is one of those mansions shunned by the locals and sure to be the home of a few agitated spirits.

You are tasked to track down the history of Emma, an American schoolteacher who decided to migrate to England. You piece together bits of her diary by searching the mansion for clues. You get to visit the lobby, games room, parlour and even the garden shed. In each room, you need to identify various items to piece together a part of Emma's diary. This object-identification is the mainstay of most hidden object games.

Where MCF: Ravenhearst differs from its predecessors is the addition of various minigames in this title. Rather than visiting room after room and continuously clicking hidden objects, you need to work a bit harder here. Some of the rooms are locked, and you need to solve a minigame (a different game for each room) to find the key to unlock the room.

These games require a fair amount of ingenuity and lateral thinking, and involve the different objects in the scene interacting with each other to produce various effects. Some of the games resemble those overly-complicated machines that perform very simple tasks, reminiscent of Reuben Goldberg's cartoons. An example is the minigame shown in the picture below, where a whole screen-full of objects needs to be manipulated so that the resulting contraption will open the lock.

What also makes MCF: Ravenhearst stand out among its peers is the intricate story-telling woven into the game. From room to room and chapter by chapter, the story of Emma and a mysterious suitor slowly begins to unfold. The suspense, combined with the creepy decor and music, produce an environment and atmosphere that resembles a mystery thriller, and is thoroughly enjoyable.

If you like the Mystery Case Files series, the award-winning MCF: Ravenhearst is sure to engage you even more into its atmosphere and story. If you are new to this series or hidden object games in general, try this game. You will soon find that you'd have wasted hours and hours playing it (which is a good thing!).

MCF: Ravenhearst is a fantastic game, and has a shock ending (don't they all). But don't despair when you finish it. The story continues in MCF: Madame Fate...

Check out the other games in this series!

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