Mystery Case Files: Escape from Ravenhearst
- February 3, 2016
- Big Fish Studios
In "Mystery Case Files: Escape from Ravenhearst," players aim to solve the enigma of a haunted mansion by searching for hidden objects, deciphering puzzles, and uncovering the tragic story of its former inhabitants. As they progress, they must gather clues, reveal hidden messages, and ultimately find a way to escape from the menacing Ravenhearst Manor. This immersive hidden object game is the seventh installment in the popular Mystery Case Files series.
Reviews
- The game features an engaging and well-written story that captivates players and adds depth to the gameplay.
- Puzzles are generally challenging and thought-provoking, providing a satisfying experience for fans of the genre.
- The atmosphere is dark and creepy, enhancing the overall experience and making it enjoyable for those who appreciate horror elements.
- The game is plagued by frequent crashes and bugs, often requiring players to restart their computers or the game itself.
- The shift from traditional hidden object gameplay to morphing objects is frustrating for many players, making it feel less intuitive and more tedious.
- Some puzzles lack clear instructions, leading to confusion and requiring players to rely on external guides to progress.
- story42 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging and well-written narrative, particularly within the Ravenhearst saga, which captivates players with its mystery and depth. However, technical issues such as frequent crashes detract from the overall experience, leading some to recommend using a walkthrough to fully appreciate the storyline without frustration. While the story is a significant draw, the gameplay mechanics and puzzle-solving elements have received mixed feedback, with some players feeling they fall short of expectations.
“The storyline is way more engaging and better written than a lot of others I've played.”
“Absolutely loved the storyline and ending for the game!”
“This one is challenging and entertaining with a gripping storyline that will keep players on the game for hours on end to continue the mystery to its finale.”
“The only reason to play it would be the storyline, but you might want to have a walkthrough ready on another screen, or save yourself the trouble and just look up a summary.”
“It's really too bad this story couldn't back off its more unseemly elements and be accessible to younger players.”
“As before mentioned, it made no difference to me, because in the Ravenhearst story, it's not really the gameplay, but the storyline, that's the main feature of the game.”
- stability13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experienced freezing issues and soft crashes, making it difficult to enjoy or complete the game. While some players noted they did not encounter crashes, the overall consensus highlights a troubling level of instability.
“The game is great, but it is full of bugs, glitches, and soft crashing.”
“Horribly buggy and has crashed three separate times in four hours of gameplay.”
“It is too buggy and glitchy to actually play, let alone finish.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the new hidden object mechanics and the unique approach to item searching, while others criticize the shift from traditional gameplay elements, finding it frustrating and buggy. The game introduces morphing objects as a primary mechanic, which some appreciate, but many feel it detracts from the overall experience, emphasizing that the storyline remains the standout feature.
“I can totally highly recommend this game for the story and the gameplay.”
“It's fun and I like the new hidden object searching mechanic.”
“Big Fish was once again pushing the envelope when they developed this game, so the gameplay is not like any other game out there.”
“All of this is in addition to the change of mechanic where it is no longer a 'search and find' puzzle; it is staring at your screen for half a lifetime waiting for something to move and for a lifetime more to realize that the last item is smaller than your cursor.”
“The shifting items was a fun little side quest in other games like 'Dire Grove', but it is deplorable as a main mechanic.”
“Horribly buggy and has crashed three separate times in four hours of gameplay.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game boasts some of the best graphics in its genre, featuring breathtaking artwork and well-executed visuals that can be adjusted in the options menu. The integration of live actors with the graphics enhances the overall aesthetic, complemented by impressive sound design and style.
“It has one of the best graphics in MCF, sound design, and overall style.”
“Some of the artwork in this game is absolutely breathtaking.”
“I want to mention that the visuals in the game are well done.”
“The visuals can be adjusted in the game's options menu.”
“Game visuals.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is noted for its creepiness and disturbing elements, particularly in the second half, which some players found engaging and heightened the stakes. However, many reviewers felt that the overall ambiance could not compensate for the game's shortcomings in story and gameplay mechanics, leading to a mixed reception regarding its atmospheric impact.
“However, there's one good thing about this game: the atmosphere in the second half does get creepy, disturbing, and disgusting.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere it created, and it felt like the stakes were higher in this game compared to the last.”
“Overall, it's a good game if you want the story, but the atmosphere is a standout feature that enhances the experience.”
“The ambiance and atmosphere are not enough to forgive the overall disappointment in both story and function; it's a complete letdown in every way and too much of a headache to be enjoyable.”
“The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninterested in the world.”
“Despite some interesting visuals, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to engage players, making the experience feel flat.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its beautifully mood-setting qualities, reminiscent of the previous installment, and is noted for enhancing the creepy atmosphere of the new locations. Players appreciate the inclusion of customizable audio options, allowing for a tailored experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with some even using it for studying and writing.
“The soundtrack is beautifully mood-setting, as you would expect from a Ravenhearst game.”
“The soundtrack was good and the new places were creepy as all hell.”
“Besides, the game should have a little bit of soundtrack, as it happened for the 2nd part (returning to Ravenhearst), with such a great one that I used to hear it for studying and even writing!”
“The game should have a more substantial soundtrack, similar to the second part (Returning to Ravenhearst), which had such a great one that I used to listen to it while studying and even writing!”
“The music in the game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I expected a more immersive musical experience, but the tracks are forgettable and don't enhance the gameplay.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, particularly on Windows 11, leading to poor performance.
“However, this game is very badly optimized, especially on Windows 11.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has low replayability, with users indicating that there is little incentive to play it multiple times.
“The replay value for the game is low.”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel tedious.”