Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst
- April 21, 2010
- Big Fish Games
In "Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst," players explore a creepy English manor to uncover the dark secrets of its previous inhabitants. The game is a hidden object puzzle adventure, where players must find hidden items and solve puzzles to progress through the story. As players unravel the mystery of Ravenhearst, they will encounter ghostly apparitions, uncover hidden diary entries, and delve deeper into the manor's haunted past.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience with engaging puzzles and a captivating story, making it a favorite among fans of the genre.
- The visuals and atmosphere are well-crafted, with beautiful art and a haunting soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- The gameplay is interactive and challenging, with a mix of hidden object scenes and clever puzzles that require thoughtful engagement.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including a fixed resolution of 800x600, which can be frustrating for modern players and affects visibility.
- Some puzzles are poorly designed or overly difficult, leading to frustration, especially for players who may not have the reflexes required for certain mini-games.
- The game has long loading times and issues with exiting properly, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay and lead to a less enjoyable experience.
- story26 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story in this hidden object/puzzle/mystery game is engaging and well-paced, featuring darker themes that make it suitable for players aged 13 and up. While it can be enjoyed independently, familiarity with previous titles in the Ravenhearst series enhances the experience, as the narrative builds on established lore. Players appreciate the integration of diary entries and clues, which enrich the storytelling and contribute to a gripping atmosphere filled with antique visuals and creative puzzles.
“The storyline is interesting and the detective/narrator is sassy.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the story and a little warning: some of the puzzles do require some careful thought, there is limited handholding in this game (besides the sparkles which denote something of interest).”
“The mystery case files storyline is amazing and the Ravenhearst twist is even better.”
“I missed the diary entries piecing together Emily's story.”
“Decent storyline.”
“If you can deal with a seriously creepy story.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their beauty and ability to remain visually appealing over time, with a strong emphasis on antique and creepcore aesthetics. While the hidden object scenes may not be as sharp as in more modern titles, the overall visual experience, combined with a gripping backstory and improved graphics compared to previous installments, enhances the exploration and puzzle-solving elements.
“Story has great pacing and the graphics are simply beautiful.”
“The graphics are beautiful (though the hidden object scenes aren't quite as crystal clear as some of the more modern games).”
“The puzzles and visuals still hold up to this day, in my opinion, and don't look terribly dated.”
“A very grim and gripping backstory, a lot of antique creepcore visuals - the puzzle systems are really tricky, but the navigation of the separate parts of the property was a bit more intuitive.”
“Having just finished playing the first Ravenhearst, this is a massive improvement in graphics and story.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its brilliance, with many players considering it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers describe the soundtrack as lovely, haunting, and moving, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Overall, the music is seen as a key element that elevates the gameplay and inspires creativity.
“The gameplay is fun and thrilling, and it's absolutely one of my favorite game soundtracks to date.”
“So many hours lost in this game admiring the art and music.”
“The music is just wonderful - lovely, haunting, moving - it's one of my favorite things about the game.”
“Even now, years later, I play this game and I can even feel certain grief once you get into Rose's and the twins' rooms... this doesn't happen in the 3rd game just because, for some reason, Big Fish removed the soundtrack, so please consider it if you guys are going to do a 4th part (which would be a great pleasure to play!).”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, enhanced by strong performances from the actors, despite occasional cheesy moments. While the difficulty of the puzzles has increased in the latest installment, it lacks the captivating atmosphere that characterized the previous entry in the series. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the player's experience.
“I haven't encountered a game in this genre better than this, and the third part of the Ravenhearst saga (Escape from Ravenhearst) was quite more difficult (which is great), but it didn't have the amazing atmosphere that the second part had.”
“Not too often, and sometimes there's cheesy acting that makes me laugh (when you're supposed to be scared :p), but for the most part, the actors really add to the great atmosphere and chilling tale.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the intriguing premise, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real sense of tension or excitement.”
“The game’s atmosphere is inconsistent, swinging from moments of potential to stretches of boredom that detract from the experience.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to a frustrating experience for players, despite its emotionally engaging story.
“Horribly optimized.”
“Optimization be damned, the story still gives me all the feels.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and exciting, complemented by a standout soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
“The gameplay is fun and thrilling, and it's absolutely one of my favorite game soundtracks to date.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily driven by the dynamic between the characters Charles and Victor, which shifts the tone from creepy to hilariously funny, providing a standout comedic element.
“But the best is just Charles and Victor: that's where the game goes from creepy to hilariously funny.”