robinlinn's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:1,375
- Reviews Submitted:58
- First Review:December 31, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 23, 2023
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Who could turn down an opportunity to change the past?
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 16 found this review helpful
Finally...some improvements
PostedMarch 22, 2023
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When I saw another MCF game was being introduced, I'll be honest. I was apprehensive because the last batch of games was hugely disappointing. The original story had been abandoned. Creativity and quality were poor. So with caution I played the demo, believing I wouldn't be interested in a purchase.
I was pleasantly surprised that MCF is headed in the right direction after many years. Familiar names and familiar voices are in this game. It's moderately challenging and the quality is better. But the story is a little slow in places and I'm wishing there was more interaction with the characters. Still a lot of wandering looking for things on your own and not enough action in the story line.
I feel like the creators listened to feedback about returning to the original story and characters. This game just didn't pack a punch. They are on the right track. If they can capture the quality of Dire Grove again, then MCF will be successful again.
I wanted to love it. I liked it. Much better than the most recent in the series. But still room for improvement.
A ski resort high in the mountains hides a dark past!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Only the title is left from the original MCF...
PostedDecember 27, 2022
robinlinn
fromMidwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Family, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I started playing Mystery Case Files in the very beginning. The early games were macabre, character driven, and quirky. The plots were interesting and made for compelling sequels...for a while. The original stories relied on people with personality disorders and family secrets, which in some ways was more frightening than ghosts and monsters.
I haven't completed the game, but I think I've played enough to write an educated review. The title is the only thing that remains of the Mystery Case Files series. I miss talking to and interacting with those quirky characters. A few people come and go. The rest are trapped under bubbles, put there by a monster names Dolores. Really?!
MCF has regressed to a mediocre game at best. The scenes are drab, the plot is awful, and it's just not fun or interesting. My favorite of the series will always be Dire Grove: creative, brilliant, and with real people filmed interacting with the player. Those days are over. I wish we could get them back. I can't rate higher than two stars and that might be too generous.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you restore your town's faith in the spirit of Christmas?
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Pleasant little game
PostedDecember 20, 2022
robinlinn
fromMidwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Family, Hidden Object, Match 3, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I always buy one Christmas game and this was my choice this year. A bit of a warning, though. I chose to buy because of the cats in the thumbnail picture and they are not in the main story. They are featured only in the bonus game, so this was a bit misleading.
It may not be the fanciest or most challenging game, but it had a heartwarming story that reflects the meaning of Christmas. In this crazy world, a little story like this is a nice distraction. The games are very easy, perfect for beginners, and just the right length. It isn't too short.
I recommend the game as it was a pleasant diversion, but always play the trial to see if it's your cup of tea.
I recommend this game!
Who broke the agreement between good and evil?
Overall rating
5
/
5
Great game!
PostedNovember 29, 2021
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm not sure when this game was introduced, but I'm so glad I found it! This is an excellent game on all levels. I can't find anything that is bad about it.
I am a big fan of Mystery Case Files, and it has gone downhill for many years. THIS is what Mystery Case Files used to be. A wide array of quirky characters. You get to interact with them, so it isn't a solitary game. The story line is interesting and the graphics are spectacular. Even the voice actors are terrific. Some game developers treat voices like an afterthought, but these are believable and well done.
I'm going to purchase more of these games because this one was so well done. I feel like I got my Mystery Case Files fix after many years.
Five stars and excellent ratings in all areas. I highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Pendle Tower was once a lavish high-rise hotel, but a new renovation has awakened a long-dormant secret within its foreboding halls.
Overall rating
2
/
5
27 of 32 found this review helpful
Nothing special here...
PostedNovember 24, 2021
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have been playing Mystery Case Files since the beginning. Unfortunately, I believe it peaked a long time ago. The days of Madame Fate and Dire Grove are over.
The story line is very dated. Nothing new here about a haunted building in London. The story unfolds at less than a snail's pace. Very slow in revealing what you are there for.
Compared to prior games in the series, the graphics are going backwards. They are a bit primitive and old school. When people move, they move in stop-action. There is really no excuse for this in 2021. The music is dated as well and uninspired.
Part of what MCF so popular was the character development. You got to know a vast array of quirky characters and they interacted with you. Something I miss most about this series are the characters. I'm not quite done with the game, but so far there are only two. Almost the whole game you are alone investigating. The construction worker who takes you into the building spends most of his time sitting on the floor, waiting for you. MCF has become a solitary game where you are alone with no interaction. Such a shame.
Every time I see another in this series coming out, I get excited, hoping it will be what it once was. And every time I'm disappointed. Whoever is producing the game needs to go back and play the originals and see what made MCF so popular. Unusual characters. Unusual plots. Originality that made MCF stand above the rest.
The level of challenge is greater than most other games, which is the only positive thing I can say. Such a shame this series has become a bust. Play the demo before purchase.
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Not as good as the others...
PostedNovember 3, 2021
robinlinn
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I had a lapse in gameplaying for a while, and recently came back to Big Fish to spend some credits I had built up. I decided to purchase a Haunted Tales game because I enjoyed those in the past. But Bronze Horseman disappointed me compared to others in the series.
It was fairly bland, the challenges were average, and the story was just okay. The hidden object scenes had a good level of challenge and you can play them more than once, so I did appreciate that.
It just seemed kind of deva vu to me, like I've seen and done everything offered here before. Nothing exciting, challenging, or interesting. I coasted through pretty much with my eyes closed. So I can't really rate this game very high. Play the demo to see what I mean before purchase.
Finally, I have to mention that game developers need to be as particular about voice actors as they are about game play. The voice for the young girl is horrific. Seriously, this is the worst voice of any character in any game I've ever heard. I couldn't listen to her and had to turn off the volume when she appeared and read the dialogue instead. I'm surprised no one complained when giving feedback on beta.
Better luck next time, Haunted Tales.
I don't recommend this game.
A strange board game makes a Halloween party go very wrong!
Overall rating
1
/
5
14 of 19 found this review helpful
Lesson: Always try the demo and pay attention to ratings
PostedOctober 23, 2021
robinlinn
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Family, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I wanted to purchase a Halloween game as I do every year. Even though the ratings were low, I gave it a chance. If I had played the demo, I would have seen that EVERY scene is random. Floating islands, floating doors and floating candles. No variety in the scenes. A little goes a long way and works a few times in a sci-fi game. But this was ridiculous. I tend to not like those scenes anyway, but I just bought a game full of them. Sigh. Ratings serve a purpose, too, and I should have paid attention to them. Lesson learned. Awful game.
I don't recommend this game.
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Overall rating
3
/
5
hmmmm
PostedDecember 31, 2011
robinlinn
fromOhio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I have purchased all of the PC MCF games and was so looking foward to this one. I liked it, but wanted to love it. Loved the story and graphics. However, some of the clues were too obscure and confusing and I spent more time than I wanted to in the strategy guide, which lowers the fun factor for me. As mentioned in other reviews, there are no references to codes and numbers in the case book, so there is alot of running back and forth between scenes, which was frustrating. After a big build up following the life of Charles Dalimar in the aslyum, house, and hospital, the short, simple ending was a let down. It was almost like the creators had run out of steam and patched an ending. If there is another sequel, I hope it will be more promising and follows earlier editions. That being said, my favorite BFG is Dire Grove.
I recommend this game!