Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir

Mystery Case Files (MCF) games are the standard by which all other hidden object games should be measured - and they all fall short! The MCF objects are seamlessly integrated into the background; the game developers use the colors and shapes to place the objects such that you really have to LOOK for the items. I will often look at a previously viewed area of a scene, only to suddenly SEE things there that I didn't notice before. However, I was a little nervous about buying this particular game, for the DS. I have all of the PC versions and love them, but I was worried that the creators might make a "smaller" game all around, by having fewer areas to explore, or removing the mini games, or not really making the effort to use the unique features of the Nintendo DS.I am happy to say I do NOT regret the purchase! The game is AMAZING - it took me about 8 hours over several days to complete the game in "rookie" mode (not timed), and I am now running through it again as a full "detective" (timed mode), with a third play mode yet to be unlocked. The game is VERY re-playable - different characters become pivotal, and the item lists change each time. With so many items hidden per scene, you can have a unique experience even on the 10th play-through of the game.The scenes fully live up to the Mystery Case Files standard - objects are well hidden, and realistic looking. The locations are beautiful and unique, with areas like a gem mine, an outdoor koi pond, and the interior of a clock tower. The characters and dialogue are also top-notch - they use the trademark MCF art style in the character design, and there are lots of puns in the character names and interactions.They kept several innovations from MCF: Madam Fate. First, some areas are "embedded" in other screens, such as the interior of a cuckoo clock, entered by tapping the sparkly blue glow in a scene. Second, some object lists require finding multiple versions of the same item - find 12 paperclips and 10 bottles, for example. They also kept the puzzles and mini games (I've seen at least 5 so far), so there's lots to do in addition to finding things. They've even added a few new object-finding tools, in addition to the flashlight - an x-ray machine (my favorite - the cat in the "normal view" suddenly becomes a cat skeleton, GREAT attention to details!) and underwater goggles, for peering into cloudy water-covered areas.I was originally worried about the small screen size of the DS making it hard to find objects, but don't worry - you see the full scene on the top screen, with a zoomed-in view in the lower screen. You move your [rectangular] field of view around the image by either dragging the stylus, using the directional pad on the left, or using the four buttons on the right. I tend to use the D-pad with my left thumb, while keeping the stylus in my right hand to tap on found objects.They also use the features unique to the DS - the microphone, for blowing out fires or dusting for prints, and the shoulder buttons, which allow you to toggle drawing on-screen. The drawing / stylus combo adds a dimension to finding listed items that you don't get with the earlier PC versions - for example, find a "deflated football". The only one on screen is inflated, so you have to hold the shoulder button and use the stylus to draw / puncture the football.The game quality is excellent, the graphics are impressive, and replay value is high. Overall, this is a great addition to the Mystery Case Files series, and I highly recommend it!

Ok but not good quality

i like this game but was a bit disappointed. i received it during recovery from an awful bug i had and was able to finish the game within a day on "rookie" level in storybook mode. i then moved on to the "detective" level and made it through almost as fast. i'm currently on "gumshoe" and finding it a bit tougher, which is good.the problems are that the only real difference between each level is a decrease in time to locate items, a limited number of hints, and a twist in characters, as to who the heirs and villains are. the characters themselves remain the same, as well as the rooms and the objects you need to find in them. the mini games within each level change only slightly. that is to say, they are the same games but with different outcomes. and as far as a mystery ... there really is none. you don't get "clues" to decipher, so that you can actually figure out the crime. it's more a hide and seek for you while the crime computer (your partner in the game) does the detective work, ultimately telling you "who did it."i didn't feel any more challenged on "detective" level than i did on "rookie." i honestly felt as if i was playing the exact same game on the exact same level. again, "gumshoe" is a bit harder but not as much as i'd like.quick play mode just cuts the storyline out (which i actually think is one of the things that makes it worthwhile) and the treasure hunt is a timed hunt for expensive items i just couldn't get into.i liked the game a lot when i initially started ... but now i'm on the last level and feel kind of cheated. this isn't a game you can go back and play over and over, unless you enjoy repetition or have a bad memory. otherwise, you're in the same rooms, with the same clues, in the same places and you already know where they are.still ... i wouldn't have finished the game in a day if i hadn't enjoyed the heck out of it. i got my money's worth because playing the game while i was sick made me forget about my pain and get into something else for a while. i just wish there were more levels, different clues, different characters, and so on. i gave it four stars because i couldn't put it down when i first picked it up.

I've never been one to like games on a time limit - it creates too much pressure, ups my stress and decreases from the pleasure and relaxation I seek when playing a game.This game meets all my criteria for a fun, easy, relaxing way to pas the time. It reminds me of a more sophisticated version of the highlights magazine "picture search" I loved as a child. Essentially you are assigned a number of various objects that you must find in an image. Some of them require special equipment to find, such as x-ray goggles (you acquire this special equipment along the way). Interspersed with these "find and seek" picture games are mini-puzzles as well, such as recreate a picture with puzzle pieces, etc.This is the kind of game I can easily play w/o using serious brain power, which makes it incredibly relaxing. I like it for before bed (If I'm not in the mood to read) or when needing to kill time when waiting (Dr's office, oil-change, etc.)Like many of the other Mom's to little kids, I too enjoy this game as a great way to unwind after a day of parenting my little one. It is a great outlet for Mom's - it should be listed as a relaxation technique for Mothers! Also as others have mentioned, my little one loves to watch over my shoulder and help me find the assigned objects, so this is additionally helpful when having to pass the time when waiting and you have your child with you.Great, relaxing game.