Big Fish: Mystery Case Files 10: Fate's carnival with Bonus - PC

A raven flies through a fog-shrouded night, swooping and gliding, approaching a derelict Traveler's wagon left in a field. "Madam Fate" is painted over the door. You remember her, the fortune teller you met in a previous Mystery Case File. The raven flies in an open window. There, on a cloth covered table is an open chest. In the chest is a crystal ball. Not just any crystal ball, but a flashing, roiling, heaving crystal ball. It stays in the chest only because there are chains wrapping it close. The face of a man appears in the ball. He is old, with long gray hair, and he is enraged. He growls malevolently, "Bring the detective to me."That would be you. And right now, you have no idea what danger you're in. Well, maybe you do, but you don't let it stop you from detecting. As a matter of fact, you are on the job right now, driving through the dark English countryside. You stop in front of an abandoned carnival. Your receiver squeaks: "Detective, your vehicle locator shows you're nearing the anomaly." The entryway announces that you're entering "Fate's Carnival". In front of it is a seriously spooky scarecrow, one of it's eyes glowing red, Your investigation begins with it.I love the Mystery Case Files series, and "Fate's Carnival Collector's Edition" ties together snippets from several previous games in the series, especially the characters in the three Ravenhearst games. There's lots of things that go into a game rating for me. The atmosphere of "Fate's Carnival" is excellently spooky. There is not as much of a coherent story-line, though, compared to the Ravenhearst games or the recent "Shadow Lake". There is not much interaction with other characters, either, which is part of what made the Ravenhearst games and Shadow Lake enjoyable for me.On the other hand, this Collector's Edition gave me an amazing number of days of game play. This is a combination game, my favorite kind, with HO (hidden object) scenes, pure puzzles and adventure inventory actions. In the main game, I counted 15 HO scenes, 27 puzzles and many many inventory actions.The puzzles in "Fate's Carnival" are wonderful. They vary from simple & easy to devilishly difficult. Some are also amazingly inventive. Several, for example, are multi-step Rube Goldberg-like contraptions, where you have to figure out several steps to make the whole thing work. They are darn clever and visually amazing. I took notes for several of "Fate's Carnival" puzzles, figuring stuff out on paper, etc. But that's my style, I enjoy making my own diagrams.When you begin the game, you chose your difficulty level: Easy Knievel, Swallow Hard, Difficult Directive, Monstrously Tough and Alister's Watch. The hardest mode, Alister's Watch, has time limits and is only unlocked after you've completed the game at one of the other levels. I played on Difficult Directive: "For those difficult sorts who can't handle any help. There is no hint feature, no mini-game skip function and no sparkle indicators." But I have a confession. I got so bogged down with one puzzle, that I temporarily changed my difficulty mode just to get a hint. Then I changed it back. So, yes, you can change difficulty level mid-game!The built-in Strategy Guide can be a life-saver. This game has many scenes and many hot-spots, and there is a lot of running around from one end of the carnival to the other, not to mention jumping into scenes in the evil Alister's diary. Compared to other Mystery Case File games, I thought there was more of this unnecessary running than usual. The game does have a sort of map, so you can jump easily from one location to another. If it gets too annoying, or if you get lazy, just use the Strategy Guide.After finishing the main game, go on to the Bonus Content. There you start the bonus game, only unlocked after you've played the main game. It's a continuation of the story, and adds 3 HO scenes and 19 puzzles, as well as inventory actions. This bonus content adds as much game-play as some stand-alone games I've reviewed.In addition, Bonus Content includes the Secret Room, also unlocked after you've finished the main game. This allows you to re-play 26 HO scenes and puzzles from the main and bonus games. The puzzles repeated are all amazing Rube Goldberg contraption puzzles, well worth tackling a second time.In short, though I got annoyed with having to run around so much to get something done, "Fate's Carnival" is a 5-star game for me because of the wonderful puzzles and the amazing length of time it took me to complete the whole shebang.And that's not even including the stand-alone game, "F.A.C.E.S." that is added on your disc for free. I previously played the Collector's Edition of "F.A.C.E.S." and it is a great atmosphere combination game that I recommend. I gave it 4-stars because, though I very much enjoyed it, I reserve 5 stars for games that are a little more challenging. However, if you don't already have "F.A.C.E.S.", you are in for a treat getting it as a free add-on to "Fate's Carnival". One note, though, the version you get here does not have a built in strategy guide. The Collectors Edition of f.a.c.e.s, however, linked below, does have a built-in guide. f.a.c.e.s. - PC I played on a Windows 7 with no problem. Once installed, you do not need the disc to play.Happy Reader

a great mix of puzzles, logic and hidden objects. This is definitely a game I will be playing several times. Several levels of difficulty, several 'extra' things to look for, you can easily jump from place to place by using the map, bonus chapter. Another cool thing -- there are puzzles in unexpected places. And the whole thing isn't over in a couple of hours of game play. It also comes with a good bonus game F.A.C.E.S. (which i didn't download because i already have the collectors edition). All in all, this game is several days of satisfying play.

Sound: Split into 4 separate controls, so that you can adjust it to suit whatever mood you're in.Visually: Really good artwork. Really good graphics. No flatness. No skimping on detail.I started off playing this game and thinking this was a 5 star game. They lead you into the story with an effective cut-scene and there are many short , snippet, animation cut-scenes that immerse you in that world and connect you to the characters. It filled my whole screen and maintained its high quality. They've really managed to capture the feel of an evening with glowing carnival lights well. I felt I was there. There are less Hidden Object scenes compared to most games, but LOTS of items to find for you to then use from your inventory. Lots of puzzles.You have to rescue a lot of carnival characters. I felt totally wrapped up in this game, up until the second half which is darker and creepier in content. Simultaneously, I began finding the whole game more and more tedious. It lost it's pizzazz. I won't be playing the bonus game which has something to do with a mental asylum. I won't get any fun out of that no matter how good the graphics are.The Collector's Edition has the strategy included for you to refer to if needed, in addition to the hints which recharge pretty quickly in casual mode. Inventory-based, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Adventure. Played on Windows 7, 64-bit.

If you are a Big Fish fan and have been playing the Ravenhearst Series then you know what you are in for, this game isn't quite as good as the last two Ravenhearst games, but since it gives information linked to those games, if you are following the story it is definitely worth playing...and still plenty creepy.If you haven't played the Mystery Case Files Ravenhearst Series I'd suggest going back and playing those first. Though the first game has lower graphics and different style of play because of when it was made, the 2nd and 3rd games are very good and creepy!Ravenhearst-Madame Fate (Not technically Ravenhearst although the plot does tie into those games and I can't say how or it gives it away.)Return to RavenhearstEscape from Ravenhearst-Fate's CarnivalThe Mystery Case Files Series from Big Fish is very good. There are a lot of pitiful search and find games out there with no real plot or replay factor, these are definitely fun to replay because you tend to miss things the first time through.

It was stated that this CD would work also for a Mac computer. Well guess what they pulled one over on me.

Too many puzzles. Not very many hidden object scenes.

I just started playing the game so far I like it. It also arrived on time

Lots to do one this one.