Mystery Case Files: Huntsville

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Mystery Case Files: Huntsville
Image:Mystery Case Files Huntsville.jpg
Developer(s) Big Fish Studios
Publisher(s) Big Fish Games
Engine Director
Platform(s) Windows, Mac OS X
Release date November 18, 2005
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single player
Rating(s) ESRB: Everyone (E)
System requirements Windows 98, Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista, or Mac OS X 10.2 or better
Input methods Mouse

Mystery Case Files: Huntsville is an adventure-puzzle casual game developed by Big Fish Studios, and distributed by Big Fish Games. It is the first installment in the Mystery Case Files series (MCF: Huntsville, MCF: Prime Suspects, MCF: Ravenhearst, MCF: Madame Fate).

Contents

[edit] Story

MCF: Huntsville allows the player to assume the role of Master Detective in order to solve a series of crimes in the small town of Huntsville. The game features a number of locations to explore as well as a collection of puzzles and other challenges.

[edit] S.T.A.I.N.

Later on in the game, one of the villains captured will have evidence that will lead to the criminal organization called S.T.A.I.N. which is behind the crimes in Huntsville. Among it's members are:

  • Gertrude Goodfellow - Leader
  • Darla Rudder
  • Rudy the Barber


[edit] Gameplay

MCF: Huntsville marked the introduction of the hidden object game - a genre of casual game development in which a player must locate a list of objects which are hidden among many other objects on the computer screen. Once a player has located all the listed hidden objects, they progress on to the next area of game play. In case a player is unable to find a required object, many hidden object games offer a finite number of hints.

Like all Mystery Case Files titles, MCF: Huntsville relies heavily on hidden object game play. Upon completing each hidden object puzzle, players return to their 'Crime Computer' where they solve subsequent puzzles in order to gather evidence and help pinpoint the thief. A player is given a limited amount of time to complete each puzzle. If the player fails to successfully complete a puzzle in this time, they must begin again with an entirely new scenario.

MCF: Huntsville features over 15 crimes in over 20 locations. Moreover, each time you solve a crime, you can restart and play a new scenario with new clues and a new thief.

[edit] User Interface

MCF: Huntsville, requires a standard PC or Mac mouse.

[edit] Reception

Following its release on November 18, 2005, MCF: Huntsville broke all previous casual game sales records by over 100%, selling over $1 million worth of digitally distributed (downloaded) copies in under three months[1]. As a result, it moved into the top 10 sales positions on all major casual game distribution websites[2].

MCF: Huntsville was initially released in as an online game download for the PC and soon after for the Mac OS. In July, 2006, Big Fish Games signed an agreement with Activision Value to distribute the game beginning in September, 2006 at retail locations throughout the United States.[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Reviews and Interviews