MeowMixFTW's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2
- Helpful Votes:23
- Reviews Submitted:2
- First Review:November 25, 2014
- Most Recent Review:March 14, 2016
- Featured reviews0
MeowMixFTW's Review History
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
1
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
It's time for MCF to be retired
PostedMarch 14, 2016
MeowMixFTW
fromHouston, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I've cut the MCF series some serious slack with their most recent games, but I just can't do it anymore. I've never felt the need to review a game before, but I have to tell people how awful this is.
I'll preface this by saying that MCF has been my favorite hidden object/point-and-click series by far for *years* now, ever since I first played the original Ravenhearst so long ago. Ravenhearst, Madame Fate, Return to Ravenhearst, Dire Grove, and 13th Skull were all outstanding games, definitely my top 5 hidden object games of all time.
The series definitely jumped the shark with Escape the Ravenhearst, and the games are just plain ridiculous and mediocre at this point. The attempts at being funny/quirky are obviously forced and fall flat in the worst possible way, and at this point, it's just a bizarre, dissatisfying juxtaposition of nonsensical absurdity and the... creepy vibe they're going for? I can't even tell anymore. There is no uniting theme anymore in the games; it's like they just threw as many over-used features, cheap jokes, forced "plot twists," and unnecessary supernatural elements as they could fit in. The Ravenhearst plot is so overdone and ridiculously convoluted at this pont, and this game is the perfect reflection of that. The story is just grasping at straws to try and be, what, edgy? It contradicts itself left and right and shoves new aspects that don't make any sense in context and don't fit in the narrative at all (read: the twins). The whole thing is just... sloppy at this point.
The art is average, and the level design is mediocre. The environment continues to be inconsistent in its layout and design. Again, the design is just ridiculous, with no apparent style for the game as a whole.
The whole "souvenirs" thing is completely pointless and unnecessary, and it's obviously just MCF's attempt to jump in on every little fad possible.
I can't believe how far these games have fallen in quality; it's honestly upsetting to me. I won't be buying another MCF game.
I'll preface this by saying that MCF has been my favorite hidden object/point-and-click series by far for *years* now, ever since I first played the original Ravenhearst so long ago. Ravenhearst, Madame Fate, Return to Ravenhearst, Dire Grove, and 13th Skull were all outstanding games, definitely my top 5 hidden object games of all time.
The series definitely jumped the shark with Escape the Ravenhearst, and the games are just plain ridiculous and mediocre at this point. The attempts at being funny/quirky are obviously forced and fall flat in the worst possible way, and at this point, it's just a bizarre, dissatisfying juxtaposition of nonsensical absurdity and the... creepy vibe they're going for? I can't even tell anymore. There is no uniting theme anymore in the games; it's like they just threw as many over-used features, cheap jokes, forced "plot twists," and unnecessary supernatural elements as they could fit in. The Ravenhearst plot is so overdone and ridiculously convoluted at this pont, and this game is the perfect reflection of that. The story is just grasping at straws to try and be, what, edgy? It contradicts itself left and right and shoves new aspects that don't make any sense in context and don't fit in the narrative at all (read: the twins). The whole thing is just... sloppy at this point.
The art is average, and the level design is mediocre. The environment continues to be inconsistent in its layout and design. Again, the design is just ridiculous, with no apparent style for the game as a whole.
The whole "souvenirs" thing is completely pointless and unnecessary, and it's obviously just MCF's attempt to jump in on every little fad possible.
I can't believe how far these games have fallen in quality; it's honestly upsetting to me. I won't be buying another MCF game.
I don't recommend this game.
The Heritage
The year is 1916. To escape from war and protect your daughter you must go to your Grandfather's haunted old manor!
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 15 found this review helpful
Decently fun, but overall unsatisfying
PostedNovember 25, 2014
MeowMixFTW
fromHouston, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is one that you'll pick up and finish in a couple hours without much effort necessary. The puzzles are so simple that it's almost... refreshing, compared to the complexity of most puzzles now. The gameplay's straightforward and simple, but it does get pretty repetitive, as the game never really changes. It's just fragment after fragment after fragment, with the occasional puzzle tossed in.
I don't think I need to go into much detail with storyline/mechanics, as most other reviewers already have, but I will say this: the storyline is interesting, but it's so vague that it leaves you feeling frustrated and a little confused. So much is implied, but not fully explained, and the ending left me somewhat confused. There's something to be said for the "found memoir" style of storytelling, but this game just doesn't pull it off with the precision necessary, as there are no supporting details in gameplay that would clarify a lot of the plot's holes. However, the memories unlocked actually feel like someone's diary, which is very rare in these games.
The game is by no means impressive, but it is quick and easy, and what they attempted to make would have been pretty neat. I can't bring myself to give it a lower rating, but I'm not going to recommend it either.
I don't think I need to go into much detail with storyline/mechanics, as most other reviewers already have, but I will say this: the storyline is interesting, but it's so vague that it leaves you feeling frustrated and a little confused. So much is implied, but not fully explained, and the ending left me somewhat confused. There's something to be said for the "found memoir" style of storytelling, but this game just doesn't pull it off with the precision necessary, as there are no supporting details in gameplay that would clarify a lot of the plot's holes. However, the memories unlocked actually feel like someone's diary, which is very rare in these games.
The game is by no means impressive, but it is quick and easy, and what they attempted to make would have been pretty neat. I can't bring myself to give it a lower rating, but I'm not going to recommend it either.
I don't recommend this game.