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Mystery Case Files: Shadow Lake
Dec. 9th, 2012 03:10 pmI just finished up the 9th Mystery Case Files game - Shadow Lake - and really enjoyed it, although it won't be my most favourite MCF. The series started was a simple HOG that became more mystery and horror based with Return to Ravenhearst. Like any movie franchise, it's hard to provide something for the old fans while providing something new from the previous game.
The horror part was filled by a green and gray palette, several jump scares throughout and creaky, creepy sound effects. It also stars Lea Thompson of Caroline and the City fame as a psychic left behind when the fictional Ghost Patrol production team packs up and leaves town in a hurry.
My main problem with the game was the it was often hard to see the objects - they were blended in too well at times - and that, for the Collector's Edition, it isn't obvious that one should do the Grimes Quarry bonus chapter as soon as possible. I waited until the end and it kind of spoiled the puzzle part of the game as I would have to go back through every scene to find the morphing objects.
Unfortunately while technically good, the story was a little lacking and too much like other mystery HOGs...but I suppose there's only so much that can be done with the genre.
The horror part was filled by a green and gray palette, several jump scares throughout and creaky, creepy sound effects. It also stars Lea Thompson of Caroline and the City fame as a psychic left behind when the fictional Ghost Patrol production team packs up and leaves town in a hurry.
My main problem with the game was the it was often hard to see the objects - they were blended in too well at times - and that, for the Collector's Edition, it isn't obvious that one should do the Grimes Quarry bonus chapter as soon as possible. I waited until the end and it kind of spoiled the puzzle part of the game as I would have to go back through every scene to find the morphing objects.
Unfortunately while technically good, the story was a little lacking and too much like other mystery HOGs...but I suppose there's only so much that can be done with the genre.
