MCF 5 - Overhype, underhype, or just right

Since I played cat and mouse with your all for over 2 months...was my hype warranted. I hope so, as it was a lot of fun for me!



BFG_Guy

p.s. Here is your first clue for MCF 6, What do the 1900's Russian Circus performers have to do with English nobility?... just kidding (or am I???)

Hi, BFG Guy!

Personally, I'm loving it!! Everything about it! The mix of adventure and casual is something I really have most fun with. The graphics are wonderful, the music is great...

I truly have no complaints! Thank you, BFG Guy!

It's a great game well worth the wait!Many for such a great game,graphics are wonderful,no glitches,and lots and lots of Fun!!

The graphics and music are super. As someone who loves altered art, vintage images, collage, and steampunk, you know I'm gonna love the design of the puzzles.

My only qualm is that it's so nonlinear. I know that's s'pozed to be A Good Thing, but I'm just getting my feet wet with adventure games with Carol Reed and Art of Murder. I keep getting lost in RtoR and can't always find my way back or figure out what inventory item to use with what. I'm afraid that I will miss a step and not be able to complete something, which almost happened with a Carol Reed game.

Other than that, which is down to my own inexperience, I'm loving it. Love the fact it's not timed, love the way you can skip puzzles without a serious penalty, love the amount of guidance that was put in. I would enjoy this for the images and music alone.

BTW, Nancy Drew Dossiers was excellent too. This is one of the few games I'm replaying to get the alternate ending. And I may even try one of the regular Nancies.

Keep them coming, please! I also love the discounted BFGameclub prices and the forums for help.

Oh, and thanks for hinting and stuff. It's nice to know good things are on the way.

Minxs/Margaret

(ETA: one minor flaw is that some of the hidden objects are VERY hard to find, the hint system is vague, just a big circle, and the counter doesn't fill up even though I'm finding as many items as possible and clicking them all at once, since I heard that would make the hint counter fill up faster. It seems the reverse, if anything. But I found a useful help at a UPS store: a magnifier that's just a 6x2 inch strip of plastic. It's light but clear, and I can easily move it over the screen, isolating small areas at a time. I've found the tiniest and most carefully hidden items this way. But I still have to use the hint counter once in a while, and wish it identified the item better. I'm already spending enough time on this game!)

Just right I loved the game I have enjoyed the previous MCF games, but this beats the lot. Finding the objects, doing the puzles or mini games, to see if there was a new room to visit, along with a great storyline as a heck of a lot of fun.
I have always given up on the puzzles before, but this time, I kept at it and it proved to add to my enjoyment. The last part, finding the train and trvelling down to the cliffs to find Victor was a masterpiece.
Can't wait for the next one.
I have played it 3 times, and my only question is 'what do I play now, not a lot can beat that!'
hmmm, MCF6 tease eh? Russian Circus Performers were in Madame Fate,.....I think?
linward

What a wonderful game. I too plowed through the mini-games (except the whack-em one , THAT was just too much ) and was able to solve all the puzzles, some easily, some not. I loved the flow of the game, I always felt I was moving forward even if I had to backtrack at times.

Easily the best game of its type I've played in a long time. I commend the developers of the MCF series for always moving forward with their games and providing so many hours of replayable enjoyment!

OK, so when's the next one???

Thanks,

Dyl'smom

Well BFG-Guy, I have had to resort to the Walkthrough a couple of times already so I would say it is just right! I am embarrassed to admit that I am barely into the basement through the fireplace so I am not very far into the game.

No way can anyone say the game is easy. Ambiance is exceptional, sounds and effects are on target. No timer!

Thank you for asking! It's really nice knowing my opinion matters.

Linda

This is by far the best casual game I ever played. Everything is just right; no timer, story, minigames, music, graphics.

I also very much enjoyed Hidden Expedition Amazon, which I think was a step up from other casual games.

I am enjoying the game quite a bit but I also have a problem with the structure. I preferred it when it was more linear and I knew where I was going. Going back and forth between places was a bit tedious.

As for the hype? I thought it was just a bit overdone simply because I'm not that much into the story but more into the gameplay.

Again, I'm glad I bought it and will continue to buy the MCF games as long as they come out. It is SO obvious how much work was put into it.

I thought it was just right. My original comments here.

I have to admit, I tune out the hype and just go with the flow if everyone is having fun beforehand. I don't generally care one way or the other what the story is about except in rare cases. I did find the story interesting in this one once I got started though. I was happy to free Rose and the kids.

I am at the end I believe and so far I have not used a hint or skip but I have spent a great deal of time pondering over what to do next so it's not a cakewalk. I love the fact that it's not timed and the graphics and puzzles are superb.
I enjoy going back to areas and discovering a new hotspot of items to find and I think the ratio of puzzles to Hidden Object screens is perfect.

Can't wait for the next one and I'm hoping you won't make it easier.

As missa pointed out, there is a discussion thread here that may answer this question from others as well.

Ana

I thought it was the best game EVER. I enjoyed it so much that I will probably play it over and over again. It is pretty lenghty and there is so much going on that keeps you guessing and wanting more. When's the next one? Keep it up BFG, you are the BEST.
Barbara

Because the MCF games are so great the hype didn't affect me because I was getting the game anyway.

This game in particular had all the right elements, I enjoyed the music immensely. The puzzles were just right, not too easy nor so hard you gave up, except the Whack a Mole one, because it was hard to keep the cursor changed to a hand in order to whack.

I liked the fact that it was non linear, because it tends to make a game last longer, linear games, going from point A to point B then to point C, tends to shorten your game experience.

Putting in live actors, was a plus I wasn't expecting, it made it seem more like a Myst adventure game which I thoroughly love.

The wait for the game was worth it. I applaud the whole BFG team for it's conscious effort to please its customers.

One happy customer,
Flo

I'll add my congratulations on the game too even though I haven't finished it yet. The MCF games just got better and better as they went on. This one is the best yet and I don't know how you'll top it, but I hope you'll try.

I forgot to answer the question, but I think the hype was just right.

BFG! I thought it was a great game, better than a bunch of games for which I paid mega bucks and was disappointed at the "playing". Can't wait until 17?? where I assume we'll meet ze son again?!? I thought the mix of hidden objects and the puzzles was just right. Please don't make the sequel any easier, as I loved getting a game where I had to really think and plan without the answer being so obvious. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hope production is already underway and BTW, please tell your actors they did a good job, and that I enjoyed the outtakes. Must have been a lot of fun for y'all.

Jody

I agree that this is the best MCF game to date...definitely more difficult for me as well! The non-linear aspect kind of threw me at the beginning but as I played more, I started to remember where everything was. Definitely a favorite for me!

However, I am one of those that seem to have a glitch where the twins' video did not play. Therefore, I'm not able to play anymore until there is some type of resolution to the glitch. I'm reticent to replay under a new name as I really don't want to get to the same spot and have it happen again! I did send in a ticket to customer service and will wait for their response once they're back in the office.

Gina

I thought Ravenhearst 2 was one of the best games put out. I found the music was beautiful and story and characters where fascinating. With the music you felt like any minute Charles would jump out again at you and say the famous words it is you again. And at the end he did say that and I felt like saying got you back. I think Overhype should be use in this case as it a fantastic game lots of twist and turns and kept you trying to figure what to do next one should blow ones horn when it is a great game like this. It was hard in some places which made you think outside the box what was going on. Only puzzle I did not like was the arcade game as my hands and mouse can not move like when they where young and like the idea you can past the puzzle. Time was not important having fun staying up for hours not leaving the game.

GLAD YOU ASKED.... First the hype... I loved the hype. It made me feel like a kid on Christmas eve. Yes, we all loved the hype and awaiting the game.

At first I was disappointed in the game because there was so much of the Adventure genre in it. I am really terrible at Adventure (it must use a side of the brain that I don't have). But I loved the HOG parts and through them discovered that if I just kept going from HOG to HOG I could solve most of the adventure problems... like what do I do next?

The only thing I would add in future games like this (to gain a bigger customer base) include with the hints, what we are to do with the puzzles. There were no directions. I was baffled at a few and wondered... what is the objective here? I didn't need hints for the hidden objects but could have used them for the puzzles but they didn't work on them. By the way, the HOGS in this game were the best I've ever played. The objects were not hidden in the dark nor were they miniscule... but blended in with the scenes and were "doable". I took my time and actually didn't need any hints on them at all.

I skipped most of the puzzles... I especially hate arcade type, so thanks for that skip feature. (Of course if the hints could be applied to them... I might have tried a few more, except the one where you had to hit the critters.)

All in all, I love the game and it will probably spoil every other game for me for a long time. for the game
for having it premier when we had days off, for coming to this forum for input.


my Big Fish Games

PS the Rachel Ray kitchen comments!

This game was great. I had a lot of fun with it, more fun then I've had in a long time with a game. I loved the comments when trying to use an inventory item in the wrong place. They cracked me up! Yes, I am a 'clickity pants'. Thanks loads for this game.
Kay

Kay, I just got a chance to download and play for a few minutes and I love love love the comments when I do something the game doesn't agree with. It cracks me up!

Too much hype? No way! The anticipation kept building and building... Placing Rose as a new member of Gameboomers and on Facebook were brilliant. Having her ask for help to save both herself and the twins was another stroke of genius. It really set the scene and whetted my appetite. My hands were itching to start the rescue. (I got up at 4:30 a.m. to download RtR on the member's early release day.) Your hints and riddles and teasing just lets us all know that a special game is on the way.

Not every game warrants all the promotion, hype and teasing, but since this is the 5th in the highly successful MCF series, since there were so many unanswered questions in the original Ravenhearst mystery, since the surprise ending in Madame Fate left us all hanging in shock and suspense, I would say the release of a guaranteed blockbuster certainly deserved as much hype as possible. It just heightened the anticipation.

I was amazed how many gamers replayed Ravenhearst and Madame Fate to search for clues and refresh their memories on the minute details of the storyline. Ravenhearst is developing loyal fans much like the Myst series did many years ago. On top of all that, as noted in the many posts, RtR was exceptionally well made with many outstanding features and lots of extra surprises for the discerning eye.

All I can say is Bravo! the game lived up to the hype.

I absolutely love the MCF games and this latest one really blew my mind away. The storyline, graphics and puzzles are great. Or maybe I'm just proud of myself because I did 99% of it without any hints help.

There are a few BFG that I don't even bother with the trial hour any more and MCF is definitely one of them.

Please keep 'em coming

I think it was a wonderful game and probably the best in the series to date. I loved it. It was great fun. The storyline was interesting and it made me want to explore more to find out what was next. I loved the skip puzzle option since I was no good against the trolls.

Keep bringing us these great games.

I don't pay much attention to "hype."
But I thought it was fun how you had Rose post in the forum, asking for help.

I noticed that the announcement on the download page did not mention "hidden objects" but instead mentioned "adventure-style play." I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE HEADS UP ON THE DOWNLOAD PAGE AND COMMEND BFG FOR IT!

During the pre-release "hype" period, I was expecting another high-quality hidden object MCF game. While I was surprised when the actual game turned out to be an adventure game instead, I was definitely happy to know that before I bought it.

Upon reflection, I think there may be a distinction between casual games and casual gamers.

At 51, I am the most casual of gamers. An empty-nester, I still work full-time and most likely will for many more years. I'm still physically active, moreover, so there are a wide variety of things that compete for the limited amount of time that I have to devote to entertainment.

The prior games in the MCF series had been an especially good fit for a casual gamer like myself because the game play technique itself was easy ("find the hidden object" is kind of a no-brainer) and, while the puzzles were immensely creative and frequently challenging, they were skippable if time did not permit. The MCF series was also particularly attractive because the games themselves were especially well produced, from graphics to sound tracks to story lines. With MCF, one could depend on and look forward to an extremely high-quality production.

I join those who prefer linearity, however, because it is unlikely that anytime in the next 10 to 15 years I will devote the amount of time to playing adventure games necessary to learn the techniques, nor do I have the time or desire to seek out walkthroughs, etc.

A second issue that arises with respect to adventure games for casual gamers like myself, moreover, is the lack of chapters or other easily recognizable stopping points (such as the individual character storylines in Madame Fate) that allow one to stop the game with some sense of closure and easily pick it up later.

While I had initially thought the slow hint meter on Return to Ravenhearst and lack of synchronicity with respect to voices and captions meant that my computer wouldn't run the game, after reading comments elsewhere I learned that the slow hint meter was part of the game and that the lack of synchronicity wouldn't prevent successful game play.

As a result, I went ahead and purchased the game and have been playing it off and on for several days, as time permits. When I do have time, however, I find myself less and less inclined to choose to return to it simply because I don't particularly remember where I was at, what was left to do, where something was, etc. There's a learning curve every time I go back to it that takes time out of the limited time I have to play games.

In addition, seeking out the walkthoughs and tips and tricks to get past puzzles that were not skippable caused the ending to be revealed to me and that, combined with the fact that the darkness of the storyline is probably at the very extreme outside edge of what I would be interested in makes me think it's unlikely I will finish this particular game. I suspect that I will be a bit more cautious with respect to subsequent MCF games as well.

Since I'm not an adventure gamer, I can't really opine on whether the end product lived up to the hype, but it seems that many people who play adventure games now, people who played in the past, or people who have the time to devote to learning to play them now, are very, VERY pleased with the game. Certainly - and as all have come to expect from the MCF series - it was obviously a very high-quality production of which I think BFG can be justifiably proud.

I will, however, miss the high-quality HOGs like Madame Fate as I don't think there are a lot of competing game series out there that are reliable substitutes!

I have to admit that the hype was just ingenious at best.
You have set a standard for IHOGs and I have become very picky about the games I choose. The MCF series are in a class of its own.
I have a problem with the length of time between the releases of new MCF games in the future. Waiting a year is torture--I rely on GBers opinions about new games before I decide to buy. And IHOGS are by for my favorite. So keep up the good work you and GB are the best!!!!!!

I'm also over 50, but I'm an avid gamer who started playing the first Colossal Cave on a mainframe. (Yeppers, really a relic here. )

Although I joined in the middle of the hype, I loved it, and enjoyed the game no end, as did my husband, who played with me, and he doesn't often get that involved in a game. Except for having to finally skip those dang trolls, we solved everything, so please don't make the next one easier.

(The Nancy Drew Dossiers are fun, but not a patch on a real brain taxing Nancy adventure for me, so easy is not what I love best in any game.)

As to the Russian Circus in the 1900s? Hmmm, all sorts of ways that could go. I see the Russian Revolution coming, so perhaps a way to connect to escaping to Great Britain for aristocrats, or perhaps creating an "assassination" plot? After all, the Tsar and the King of England were cousins.

BFG-Guy. I'm loving this game. This is the best MCF game yet. I like everything about it. It's a fantastic game.

GPM, my sympathy to you that you don't have time to immerse yourself in Return to Ravenhearst. It definitely adds to the pleasure of the game when you don't have to worry about work schedules and daily routines. I deliberately played the game during the darkest hours to add to the creepy atmosphere.

Madame Fate was indeed an easy game to sign on, play a level and then sign off without losing continuity. After playing Return to Ravenhearst, I can't imagine remembering all the paths through and around the mansion if I hadn't played it in large time blocks. (I think I only signed off twice from start to finish.) This game was an excellent crossover for the adventure gamer who also enjoys casual HOG games as it combined the best elements of both styles. However, I doubt the success of RtR will affect the quality or number of true casual HOG's. I hope and believe we will still have plenty of both available. They seem to be coming faster and faster.

OOPS, forgot to add, loved the fun parts, like touching the head of the mannequin and having the dern thing fall over, touch again and it comes back to center!

I am enjoying the game as well. It should make everyone who likes scary games and likes to scare the peep out of people happy to know that I am playing this game during the day or early morning instead of at night. The shower episode had me like the investigator trying to catch my breath and hoping like heck that charles was no where around.

I can't imagine what Russian circus people have to do with nobility but if I had to guess maybe it is like an acrobat troop who have come to England to perform for the queen and her guest at some party. That would be my best guess and of course I can never figure clues out.

Kem

Fantastic game - worth the hype. I love that it is a cross between HOG and adventure game. I enjoyed the entire game (with the exception of the troll game - not much for arcade type fast stuff) and am replaying it again to savor everything as I already know the story and won't be in such a hurry to get to the end.
I really appreciate that you listen to us and then have games designed that fit our desires. You and BFG are the very best!

Ditto for all the positive comments. I loved everything except Whack-a-Troll.

It seems like everyone disliked Whack-a-Troll! It is the only one I skipped. Maybe leave out anything similar in the future? Most of us casual-verging-into-adventure gamers are not as quick with hand-eye coordination as the kiddos.

Margaret

P.S. The crows and candles and bombs were my least favorite parts of Nancy Drew Dossiers too. However, with those you could at least keep playing and learn where the items were. I never improved with Whack, and eventually just skipped it.

Hmmmm, I made time to play this one just to get to the Whack a Mole. Not there yet, but looking forward to it. I love Whack a mole--so we shall see if I love it after I get to this one.

I think opinions are going to be split between serious casual gamers (i.e., only played casual games with no interest in the adventure genre) and cross-genre casual gamers (i.e., adventure gamers who also play casual games).

I was thinking that maybe MCF could be split into two different paths. One path could be straight HOG with fairly easy in-between mini-games and a more humourous tone (Huntsville, Prime Suspects and now Agent X for mobile and Millionheir for DS) and then the harder HOG with a more serious tone, puzzles and now adventure elements (Ravenhearst, Madame Fate, Return to Ravenhearst).

Personally I'd love to see not only a sequel to the Ravenhearst, Madame Fate, RTR games but I'd also love to see the quirky and funny games (like Huntsville & Prime Suspects) have their own sequel. Ambitious I know and I'd buy both!

I really loved the game. I love the story and the graphics and the music really had me engrossed from start to finish. I loved the pre-game hype, it was fun seeing all the people here and at your forums and Gamezebo going through riddles and forums trying to figure it out. Of course the game gave us more questions and that is the fun of this game, it lends itself to wanting more. I loved the contests at Gamezebo, almost won, but it was fun, fun, fun. Even used my Facebook account that my daughter set up for me, and felt like a kid again!

Thanks also for the skip puzzle button. I skipped about 4 puzzles including that Whack-a-Troll. I will go back and play again to try those 3 puzzles again, and to hear the music and see the graphics again. I just wanted to get to the story, praying it wasn't going to end, yet wanting to get to the end, just like a good mystery book!

....... As for Whack-a-Troll.... I may try again, but I doubt that's ever going to happen!

Koalanut

Another MCF winner! Glad it was hyped!

Bernie

I really can't brag because I skipped a few of the puzzles, but I did win the coin from Whack-a-Troll once I figured out not to hit the red ones. I love Whack-a-Mole at the fair, so it wasn't as difficult for me I guess. Also, I use a trackball instead of a mouse - maybe that makes a difference.

BFG...

The only thing I hated about this game is that it ended!!! (Okay...I wasn't crazy about the whack a troll game...here's to carpal tunnel with all the frantic mouse clicking!) By far it was one of the best casual games I've ever played...and I agree with the comments of everyone on this board. I played through it in one long sitting...then played a second time the next day, because it was such a well made game. I had no internet connectivity while I played so I couldn't resort to any hints or walkthroughs. And fortunately I was able to skip the "whacking" to get my coin. (The only puzzle I had to skip.) That's a very solid option. Kudos to you and your crew at Big Fish Games!

Cheers!

Definitely needed more time to whack that mole. As for hype, kind of missed most of it except for the pertinent parts. Like that Rose visited.

Got a crazy idea, what if Charles got Victor from the circus?

I thought MCF5 was absolutely spectacular--immersive, beautiful to look at, and just challenging enough, with a really sophisticated mix of puzzles. (Though I am throwing resentful glances in the direction of Whack-a-Mole ). IMO it raises the bar in a serious way for HOGs in general and HOG-adventure hybrids in particular. More please!

Kristi

I am really immersed in this game. I'll admit I have to skip some puzzles. I'm really a music buff and I think the music is exceptional!!! Will one of you who have finished the game, tell me a little about the music from the credits? Or can you, BFG? Teddo

Simply the best!

Finished the game. Thoughts.........lets see.....Hmmm.....Enough tease IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!! Quite challenging in many ways. The puzzles were different than the usual, which I found quite refreshing. Vastly different from the original Ravenhurst. It shows that you really built this game from the players view point. Look forward to the next challenge you provide for us. Thank you for an entertaining few days. I expect that I will replay it many times in the upcoming years. This is the kind of game you grab in case of fire when you rush out the door to safety.

This is the mark of a true BAAGer

I don't remember who composed the music, but it was played by an orchestra in Berlin. My husband (classical musician buff) had heard its name and was impressed.

Plus, you can buy the soundtrack and probably learn even more from the liner notes.

Minxs/Margaret

Thanks, Minxs. As I recall, BFG said that a Berlin orchestra also did the background music for Hawaiian Expedition. That was good music also. I'll check the credits when I finish MCF 5. It's slow going for me, but I love it. Teddo

I was thinking that Azada 2 had the same orchestra as RTR....I may be wrong though...

Koalanut

I finished the game and I was wishing and hoping it didn't end, it is a fantastic game. I only had one problem with it and I believe I seen in a prior thread that someone else had this problem too. In the cutscenes I had a problem where the audio was ahead of the subtitles and had to wait for it too catch up. But other than that I loved it all. The wandering around the estate was great it made me feel as if I was really there. Wandering that creepy place. Definitely the best hidden object/ adventure / whatever anybody else calls it . Great Game BFG. Great work BFG. Thank you for this wonderful entertaining game. Trisha

Hi BFG-Guy!!

I loved the game. Mystery Case Files is still the standard by which I judge HOGs and for me R to R was the best in the series.

I'm an Adventure game player first and a Casual game player second, and as such I guess I'm a little HOGed out. For me, the HOGs were starting to seem pretty much the same.

The graphics, story and music were great, but it was the dash of 'Adventure' that was added to R to R that made the game for me. I liked the freedom to wander the Manor and its ground, instead of finding all the HOGs in an area and having the game send you to the next location to do another HOG search.

I look forward to BFG's next project. Your company's respect for your customers comes shining through in all your games.

"Q"

I reaaaally enjoyed this game. The hype was bang on. Possibly the best thing I've played off BFG. It was so entertaining, so atmospheric, and, well, to be honest, it was hard. Which was great, because some of the games like Righteous Kill (which got quiet a lot of publicity) just wasn't.

I also downloaded Casebook. Which is totally different and i wouldn't really compare it to MCF, but it springs to mind as another contender for the title of 'best thing I've played off BF'

GO BFG!

Thanks BFG for a wonderful game. Loved it :ThumbsUp12:

Yes! A classic. I loved the storyline.

to Gameboomers greydag!

Ana