Thanks, GameNut. A shame the series game designers didn't work on this one. I was tempted to buy it because I liked the others. Sounds like they dropped the ball here.

Ana, Great minds think alike! I did the same with my iPad. This also helped me to read any small print since I can then enlarge the photo.

I absolutely love the game, just started the bonus last night. playing. I have all of the games by Eipix and thought they did a great job with this one. I haven't used 2 credits to buy a CE in over 2 years....always getting them on sales. I'm not sorry I used them this time. Still enjoying the game.

TLC....Welcome back!!! So glad you are here, missed you!

I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying the game. A lot of people do seem to like it.

I just finished the game and started the bonus game.



Hi Smitty, Nice to be back. I missed you all too over here.

I am loving the game. It's is not as twisted as some were, but it is quite polished. Definitely worth the money!

Just got started on the game this evening and I'm enjoying it very much. I'm not finding it all that easy, either. The domino puzzle was fun.

I think you'll enjoy it! I liked that puzzle too and a number of others.

Just finished the game last night and the bonus game today. Loved it.

I am feeling a little loopy. It seems like this is one I played before. I just started it and it seems like the one I played last year. Weird.
#Update - I forgot I beta tested this one.

Also finished last night. Not one of the best Ravenhursts, lacked the beauty of Dire Grove artistry.

Ramona -

That's funny! (I think I have done the same thing) LOL

Is the bonus game any good?
The bonus game is the only reason I have to buy a CE.

As far as I'm concerned, "Collectables" with their extra pop-ups and slide-ins are a negative, and online walkthroughs are usually easier to use than the built-in guides.

So true, Jenny, so I'm listening for that answer, too. Why would people want game art and sound tracks? I'd love for someone to tell me what they like about them, so I could understand the appeal of that. Like you, I don't give a hoot about "Achievements" and the search for hidden "Extras," and I have bought more than one CE version and felt ripped off because of a short or pointless "Bonus" game.

Hi, Reenie!

Since the bonus games are usually only 60 to 90 minutes long, the only benefit I can see to buying CEs is that you don't have to wait a month for the SE to be released if you really enjoy the demo. I only buy CEs when they're on sale but, lately, I've been waiting and picking up the SE for free with a coupon.

Like many others, I have no use for wallpaper, game art or sound tracks, and don't feel the short bonus games are worth an extra $6.99.

Susan

I am really not enjoying this game. It's too much like all of the other HOG games. I like the old format of the earlier games. I like the first set of Ravenhearst games. I guess they are considered old fashioned now but I liked the simplicity of the games which were more HOG than atmosphere or story line. I have replayed them along with Madame Fate, Huntsville and Prime Suspects many many times. But I do have to say I was surprised when this game came out earlier than usual. MCF's are not usually released until Thanksgiving.

I haven't been able to tell much about length, but the bonus game seems to be a generic "asylum game" and not to do with Ravenhearst. Doesn't seem worth it.


I don't care about having to wait. Once in a while the bonus game will have better puzzles than the main game, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.


I don't care much for straight HOGs. But the 1st Ravenhearst had some nice door puzzles, possibly the best in the series. My favorite Ravenhearst is the second one (Return To). I didn't care for the 3rd (Escape) with those annoying entire scenes full of morphing objects instead of hidden objects -- took all year to find them. I didn't care for the first Madame Fate but liked the 2nd. I preferred the first Dire Grove to the 2nd. The 2nd wasn't horrible, just generic -- might as well have been a Shadow Wolf or something.

I think for me, I don't mind the achievements if they make sense. the morphing objects are in the HOPs but there is an achievement to finish a HOP in 60 seconds which is impossible when you have to find the morphing object. fining the morphing object is more fun to me than rushing through a HOP. hogs

You can find the morphing objects after the game is finished and still get the achievement.

I didn't know that. thank you for the tip.

You are welcome! You can also find the ravens after you finish.

Ana

wait a second is this new mystery case file out already? runs over to BIG fish games. dianne

I am another who won't buy a CE anymore just to have extra puzzles,or achievements,etc..
For me these casual, mystery type games are my fix when there's not a good full length adventure game out to play (very few and very far in between). NOw, that said, sometimes I will get the CE-IF-it seems as though the bonus game will be very good--at least as good as the full game and can add to the storyline of the game-which is hardly ever...and once in a great while I might be that impressed with the artwork to want a screen saver. but that is very seldom (and certainly NOT with 'key/ravenhurst').

AND, there is another one coming in 11 days I announced yesterday here.

We are double lucky this year!

Ana

I agree with you, GameNut, that the extra expense of a CE is justified only if you want all the pop-ups, artwork and music extras and/or if the Bonus Game is a serious addition to the package. After all, the basic game itself is identical for both standard and CE version, except for those tweaks. I have found the Bonus Game to be good enough to justify the doubled price of a CE only about half the time.

It is so helpful that Big Fish provides the Trial Game option for players to see if they like a game or not. You can save a lot of time and money trying out the half-hour version, and eliminate the disappointment that might come with buying a game that doesn't suit you. You can tell right away if you will like the game's design or not. Lately, I have used Trials to eliminate games that shove too many pop-ups in your face (it is like having annoying commercials interrupt your TV program!) or have no voice acting or the graphics are below the norm in quality. I usually play standard adventure games, and suddenly having these pop-ups hitting every ten minutes can be a serious distraction.

Also, BF has an excellent customer service attitude. If you buy a game, and find out that you don't like it or can't play the game while continuing to play the portions AFTER the bonus segment (this has happened to me several times), you can write to BF and explain the problem. They will give you credit for a new game. This policy is the main reason I continue to play BF games. I have been disappointed more than once in the quality or performance of one of their games after I bought it, but they have always responded to my feedback by replacing it.

So I finished the main game and had no desire to play the bonus game. I started it and just couldn't get into it. I loved the puzzles and HOG. The graphics and voice acting were well done. However I think I am beginning to tire of this storyline. I think it's time for a new story or even a throwback to the original.