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9.4 neato burrito
I hope wherever you are there's a storm on the horizon, the trees are creaking in the wind, and a cat with a stiff neck is yowling intermittedly in the dark. Hidden object game fans have great reason to rejoice, for the creators of the genre, Big Fish Games, have at long last released a sequel to what is probably the best-selling hidden object game of all time. (Here's a hint: it has the word "raven" in the title.)
Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst sends you back to creepy, puzzling Ravenhearst Manor. It seems that freeing Emma's soul from the cursed place was only the beginning, for the dreary cluttered house is still haunted. Not only are there ghosts about, but brand new puzzle locks have been installed all over the grounds and rooms of the mansion. The Queen of England, seriously worried that things are getting out of hand, calls you back to investigate. Soon after arriving, you're met by Emma's ghost - and some other spirits - and warned that additional souls are trapped in the house. As Master Detective, the job is up to you. Who else is going to do it? The neighbors? I don't think so! Those clowns couldn't find a hidden object if it jumped out of a dark closet at night screaming "here I am!" with exploding fireworks.
Return to Ravenhearst is a hidden object game. Unless you've been living in a hut in the mountains like this guy I saw in an action movie last night, that means gameplay primarily involves hunting for specific items in a scene full of them. Some objects on your list may be easy to find, others may be partially obscured by other objects, slightly faded into the background, or lined up just right with the surrounding scenery to make them difficult to distinguish. For each item on your list, click on it and it flies out of the scene and into your Max Headroom styled crime computer.
Regular readers know that OMG I'm such a huge fan of random clicking heart heart unicorn. In fact I started a random clicking fan club about three months ago. Return to Ravenhearst follows in the footsteps of Madame Fate and doesn't punish you for clicking randomly... almost. Too many bad clicks and your mouse pointer will do a little spiral dance. No time is subtracted from your countdown timer because, unlike previous games, there is no timer. You can spend as long as you like in each scene - another design decision I applaud. As president of the random clicking fan club I give this game an A- in the subject of random clicking. That's a pretty good score.
Instead of a map or menu to move from location to location, your mouse pointer, placed at the edge of the screen, changes into an arrow to indicate that you can move into another area. Thus you're able to "walk" around the mansion. This really adds to the adventure game aspect of your investigation and gives the game a nice feeling of immediacy. Your mouse pointer also changes into a magnifying glass to indicate items in the room that you can inspect in closer detail. Sometimes this pops up a window with a closer view of something with objects that can be manipulated. And sometimes you get a tongue-in-cheek text description. Watch for sparkles - they indicate you need to investigate further. And a cloud of sparkles means grab your glasses because another hidden object challenge is afoot.
Following in the trend of most hidden object games, Return to Ravenhearst is packed to overflowing with item manipulation (i.e. "escape the room") type puzzles. Every time you complete a hidden object scene, one item from those you found will be selected for your inventory. And will be used later in the game to solve a puzzle. You can call up your inventory at any time by moving the mouse to the bottom of the screen. Using them is as simple as dragging them to where you'd like them to be used. For example, dragging a piece of cheese onto a mouse hole. The items you select to keep often seem much, much less useful than others you've found (or others that were in the scene, for that matter!) but at least it adds some method to the madness of blindly following your crime computer's orders and grabbing up snakes, butterflies, eggbeaters, lighthouse statuettes, etc.
What would Ravenhearst Manor be without puzzle locks? It would be a breeze! Get ready to smash your brain against some of the most fiendishly tricky puzzle locks yet on these mansion doors. I spent ten minutes on the moon and sun puzzle lock before I even realized I didn't have two vital components to complete it. Luckily, you keep a record of all clues in your notebook and these can be reviewed at any time. That's what separates a Master Detective from a Junior Detective.
The art in Return to Ravenhearst is simply excellent. Look at that screenshot to the left. That's some sweet sweet spooky house artwork. The odd angles of various screens are delightful. I haven't seen anything as good since the remake of Resident Evil on the Nintendo Gamecube. Not just the artwork itself, but somehow Big Fish Games Studios has managed to make 800x600 hidden object scenes look really good. I play all hidden object games on a laptop in a shack and I really wish casual game companies would simply switch to 1024x768 for that extra burst of detail. But only few have. Amazingly enough, however, Return to Ravenhearst doesn't seem to suffer from blurry or fuzzy items on an LCD screen. This is an AAA level title and no one buying it at the retail level is going to feel ripped off.
The musical score, recorded by the Deutsche Film Orchestra, is outstanding, with poignant violins and integritous piano. You can even purchase it in mp3 format from Big Fish Games, if you fall in love with it. You could at least put it in your car. It's always good to have an iPod or a wide variety of music on hand, because you never know when a friend will say, "C'mon man let's drive to Florida!" and then you get in the car and realize all you have is The Best of the Village People. That's a true story.
Here's some Return to Ravenhearst hints: if you're stuck at the very beginning and can't get into the house, smash your way inside! (Didn't think it would be that easy, did you?) Don't forget to return to previous scenes and hunt for more hidden objects - each time you do so you get an item that can be used to solve a puzzle and advance further into the house! Having trouble with the skeleton puzzle lock? Look at the second screenshot in this review!
Download Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst
I made it to the underground town and I’m stuck on the cash register. I click on numbers to switch them and the lights come on sometimes, but I can’t figure it out. I’m not skipping any puzzles. Help?
all rows and columns must add up to 15 – hence the name.
Thanks Corio. That’s what I needed!
Now I’m stuck on the circle marble puzzle from the 2 girl’s canvas painting. I know there’s probably a mathematical way to solve it but I’m just clicking random and trying to get close because it’s kinda complex.
there are pieces of the girls that need to be dup up x marks the spot
Has ANYONE got to figure out how to do the puzzle for switching the phone back on in the toystore? That darn thing has me stumped something fierce! ANY help would be appreciated!
Hi Iceshark! In the basement of (I think) the toystore there is a small cupboard containing a puzzle. You’ll need to solve that before the phone switches on. Hope that helps.
I’m completely stumped on the sun and moon puzzle. I’ve tried everything i can think of, and i have the two vital parts but nothing is happening! WHat am I doing wrong??
Ok, if you have the two vital pieces (moon and sun) and put them in place, all you have to do is look at your journal. You should have notes for example moon = symbol. Find that symbol in the puzzle and put it next to the moon (opposite side). Do the same thing for the sun and you should solve it! Good luck.
Hi… I just started playing and can’t beat the beginning..brain fart.. I am stuck at the well, loose floor board, and in the garden… help!
I am at the school house celler and can’t figure out the puzzle there. Can anyone help. I also can’t find the grinder to sharpen the knife, but figure it must be in the lock safe with the skull on it.
Andrea: Don’t worry about the well, you can’t do anything with it for a long time. You’ll know when to go back to it. Basically you want to get inside the house… maybe using something you found in one of the hidden object scenes. On the window… Once inside the house you’ll find something under a chair that can help you open that loose floor board.
Tmouse: The grinder is right on the other side of that cellar door. You need to turn the stove to the right temperature to see the pattern that you’ll use to get through the cellar door.
Cannot open anything, cant use anything, only thing at my satge seems to find the R key, have opened left and middle door..Heeeeeeeelp Steve
I just started playing this too and am stuck on where to get the sun for the fireplace, also I tried to make that bird look like the diagram but it didn’t work. You’re talking about a cellar door, where?
you can always go back and check for more hidden objects. some scenes you have to do 2 or 3 times.
did you finish the kitchen yet? the cellar door is a long way away if you just started.
I’m at the trolley car part and I have the funnel but I need the fuel!
I have no idea where it is!
Help, please!
Like Wayne up there, I just started and can’t turn the bird lock or find the sun part of the puzzle. I have several tools that are to be used on things that I can’t see. I have the “v” for the typewriter, the machine belt, the shears (which I already used on the rose but it shows them again in another scene), the horn, and the damp cloth. Any help would be appreciated!
Sam: The fuel is under the school.
Casey: To find the sun half you need to go through the skeleton lock door by the fish pond, and use the shears somewhere back in there.
ok, I used the hot pad to turn down the temp on the wood stove to 400*, but I can’t figure out how to open the cellar door under the school. I flip the pictures, open and closed the red dots the gears won’t turn, how do I open that door?
I figured it out, after setting the right temp on the wood stove look on the stove top and you know where the red dots should be. I love this game!!
Sam the fuel is under the school use the jar there. Where did you find the trolley car?
Does anyone know how to open the safe by the elavator, where is the key to open it I have no more rooms to check in. I am at a dead end at the garden path cliff and I took the elavator up and I can’t go any futher there, and down the well, there is too much junk in the way and I can’t move that stuff. Can anyone help just a little hint.
Um, what is the right temp for the stove in the toy store? and how do i get the phone in the toystore to work? Thanks in adance!
Danielle the temp is 400* The phone is a bunch of wires and lights you have to light up all the lights on a board. Start by going up a few then light up the ones on the bottom, around the side then the last light is by the word OUT. It took me 2 days to figure this out
I made it to the cable car, lol, now I am in the attic and can’t get out….yet This is the very best puzzle
I am done!! Took me lots and lots of hours but it was so worth it. Thank you Penguin for the hint about the wood stove, I flew from there. Merry Christmas everyone!! Enjoy
Still cannot find the ‘R’ and have got to the stage where you do a puzzle and then open coffin doors, now there appears nothing to find or solve, have a cloth,hammer, screwdriver, funnel, fuel in a jar, can somone help.
I am so stuck! I just started playing. I have completely finished going back into the kitchen and everything. I ahve shears, wrench,typewritter key, machine belt, horn and the cloth. What do I do I ahve tryed everyting everywhere even on the bird skelton door. Help please!!
Jenny use the shears on the flowers in hanging pot outside to left of front door, if I remember correctly..Steve
I just finished this game! W00t!
Steve, since you have the hammer maybe you can pull some nails out of something that was nailed shut!
Help! I’m stuck. I’ve gotten to the underground town and I’ve gotten the elevator to go up and now I’m stuck. I can’t find the hammer and I can’t get the marble door open (missing 1 marble) and I can’t get the typewriter door open either. I’m must be missing a ton of stuff. Thanks for any help!
Help! i have a screwdriver, damp cloth, funnel, and jar of fuel, and I know what to do with all of them it’s just I don’t know where those places are!!! Any tips?
Thanks Uesugi managed that, Still cannot find the ‘R’ and have got to the stage where you do a puzzle and then open coffin doors, now there appears nothing to find or solve, have a cloth, screwdriver, funnel, fuel in a jar, tonly shiny leading star is to the cottage and the childs painting but nothing works, no more puzzles and have not actually paid a Seek and Find game for a long time..any help anyone..Steve UK..?
I’m with the players that cannot find the “R” typewriter key. I’ve gone all round to all the buildings and areas and cannot find anything that “opens” where I can get the key! I read somewhere that there is supposed to be a secret area under one of the beds – can’t find that. I’ve got the funnel, wet rag, screwdriver, etc. No luck yet. I appreciate the hint about the stove and the cellar doors. I have been clicking on Queen Elizabeth and the red dots until I’m “royal dotty” myself! LOL If anyone can assist with the “R” typewriter key location, I’ll be your friend forever!
First- Find the 7 keys
second- if u see there’s a cellar tab do not click until u find the 7 key
once u found all the key then go to the cellar tab.. if u enter the cellar tab click on the door..
then u u have figure how to open the door.. it’s easier than the other doors.
good luck
When you get to the stage where you are between cinema room, attic and library all you can do is open the bookcase, but there are no clues as to what you do with the books in the case, HELP….
got passed the last problem by starting a new game..Steve UK
LOL Michelle is talking about the previous Ravenhearst game.
Guys, I don’t remember where I found the R typewriter key in Return to Ravenhearst, but I think it was in the first room of the toy store after you free the two twin girls. HOWEVER there was a bug in some earlier copies of Return to Ravenhearst which caused to game to freeze when it should have shown the video of the two girls. If your game froze at that point after solving the gargoyle puzzles and you didn’t see the two girls after raising the coffin, you need to uninstall and reinstall the game. It sucks, I know. Big Fish Games has stated that the problem is fixed in the new version.
If you did see the twins’ video, go to the toy store and take a look. I guess it’s possible that with the bug you could have seen the video and it still didn’t trigger the R key hidden object scene. I don’t know…
Steve, maybe you should take a break from that bookcase puzzle and watch a movie for a little bit…
Thanks Uesugi, will give it a try…Steve UK
hey what shall i do to solve the love puzzle
plllllssssssss
i mean love connectors…i am having difficulty …
I am having trouble with the skeleton puzzle can anyone help me please
Amanda, the sleleton puzzle answer is in the kitchen
I got the knife to cut open the teddy bear and starting filling the fuel jar at the same time and my somehow I ended up with 2 knives in my inventory and no full fuel jar so now I can’t start the cable car? I still have 1 knife in inventory but I have already cut open the teddy bear…am I done for?
help!! I am stuck in the cottage attic….I can’t get out…I am sure it has something to do with the books but I can’t get it
DeCristo, that definitely sounds like a bug to me. I hate to say it but you might have to restart. Sorry! You might try emailing Big Fish Games support to see if they have any suggestions.
Tina, the books need to be placed in the correct order. If only there was some way for you to see a picture of the correct order… maybe in scratchy black and white?
I’m still having trouble with the skeleton lock. I know the answer is in the kitchen (the pic) however, I’ve tried each and every way to position the skeleton correctly but still it will not open! Help???
Plz i saw the video of the kids when i open the left door, but steeli cant find the letter “r” plz help me i am realy stock, i heve in my inventary a funnel and the oil… but when i go to the toy store nothing happend
I have reached the final door to Charles’ Room and have all 10 hearts in place, but the door won’t open. Is this a bug or do the hearts have to be in a particular order?
where is the knife
Hi everyone! Return to Ravenhearst is really cool even cooler than the first one.
But, unfortunately i can’t solve the phone puzzle which is down under the toy store.
Please help!
love,
CrN
How do I get the well to move so I can get the knife?
Peachy – use the long stick to get the bucket unstuck
Hi..im stuck..i cant find the trolly anywhere…theres also a teddy bear that i need to cut..where do i get scissors from???
HELP! I cannot figure out this light puzzle in the basement of the toy store. Any hints??
Great game. How do you set the three numbers with the playing cards in the elevator?
hi everyone i need your help i need find the cable car ,letter r.
HI EVERYONE!
i need help to pass the skull puzzle in the elevator!
how do i do it?
please HELP!
what order do the books on the bookshelf have to be in and how do i get the gramphone
Help- I know I am supposed to go to the male figurine to get the screw driver, but it won’t let me. Did I miss something?
im stuck at school
It happened to me too. I am supposed to go to the male figurine to get the screw driver, but it won’t let me. I don’t know why….maybe because i downloaded from a site…so it is not the original….it has issues!
Hello,
I can NOT find the R key. Does anyone know where I should be looking for it? I just freed the twin girls. Thanks!
I am stuck on the door with the marbles. I dont want to skip it. Does anyone know the steps?
And also can someone please walk me through step by step on love connection? Thanks!
I am having so much trouble on the phone light thing. Does someone have the directions on which way to start???
Hey can ayone help me im stuck on the library puzzle i know were the hint is but most of it is cut out because of the red curtans PLEASE HELP.
Hey can ayone help me im stuck on the library puzzle i know were the hint is but most of it is cut out because of the red curtans PLEASE HELP. O and sorry forgot my name
I need phone connection puzzle help STAT. I cannot get past this puzzle and I’ve been [sadly] working on it for weeks! Help!
how do i get the cards to work in the elevator.. i got the key and the cards i don’t know how to make them work.. help….
HELP, STUCK WIT ALL HEARTS IN PLACE BUT NOTHING IS OPENING!
I’ve the temp @ 400* & the cellar coins in position as per tmouse above, but still the door is not opening…what am I doing wrong!!! Help open the cellar…
help me plzzzzzzz am stuck for weaks in the light puzzle for the phone plz plz plz plz plz
i found the temp. 600 not 400 ! so try 600
but i still need some help at the freak`n light puzzle ! am starting to get bored =(
the trolly wher is it uffffff :@
any help plz ?
the well also what should i do there i tried the long stick but nothing happened ?
i have the scrwe driver the cloghs the jar fule the funnle also the ropp ( what can i do of them ?)
OMG!!!! I just love this game, beats everyone I have played or bought. Need help with the phone lights, and where is the trolly???? Need help from all you good peeps!!!
you`ll never slove the light puzzle am stuck in it 4 weeks :@ and no one want`s 2 help me =( !
even the trolly i have no idea where is`t !!!!
did you slove the well puzzle ? the one right after the front dore of the house ? every one say`s solve it with the stick but nothing is happening !
to solve the light puzzle go to the walkthrough for the return to ravenhearst game and it
will show you a pic on how to lite all the lites. Take a pic wit phone like i did thats the
only way your going to solve it, hope this helps.
Help! I have the moon for the sun/moon puzzle. Where do I get the sun?
Okay, I found the puzzle to get the sun. Go to the cemetry, get the shears from your inventory and click three times on the right side by the shrubs, trees. Now I just need to solve the puzzle.
I am stuck at the cellar door. My temp. says it needs to be 600 degrees, and I did that. I went to the cellar, put the pattern in, and nothing happened, what am I doing wrong? I’m totally lost, lol..
Hey, I un-install and then installed the game again.. then also the twins’ ghost dont appear, and I still cant fund the R key .. really dont want to start another game if this is a glitch … =(( .. Please help !!
hey….please some one help me….im stuck on celler door i put the stove to 400 n done the pattern on celler door as the same on the top of the stove but it is still not opening please help as i cant go no further
PLEASE, HELP ME! I am have trouble on the phone light thing. Does someone have the directions which way to solve??? PLEASE! HELP!!!
I have the funnel and the fuel but I don’t know how to use it. Is there something I’m missing?
Never mind. I figured it out. Now I’m trying to do the crow’s puzzle on the path to the cottage. Any suggestions? I know it has something to do with the markings on the steps.
Anyone have any thoughts on where the last heart is?
Ok, I’ve given up on trying to find the last heart. I’ve been in every room and nothing is sparkling for me to search for and my inventory is empty. I’ve gone through all the rooms to see if I missed something and I can’t find ANYTHING! I’ve been wandering around the mansion for an hour and a half. I’m officially stumped. Can anyone shed any light?
Where is the fuel for the jar?! im looking at a different walkthrough and it did not say where it is. So… TELL ME WHERE IT IS IM BEGGING YOU!!! Thank you.
the fuel jar is in one of the puzzles in the section of the under ground house made for the girls
how do u go through the walk through i’ve tried everything
Missing a red marble and cant find the hammer HELP please
Can anyone help me with the library puzzle?I place the lower books in correct oder but I can’t place the lower books in correct order ’cause in the theater I can’t see the order of the upper books ’cause the curtains are hiding the order of the upper books.
Can anyone help me with the library puzzle?I placed the lower books in correct order but I can’t place the upper books in correct order ’cause the curtains in the theater are hiding the correct order for the upper books.Please help!
You don’t have to worry about the upper books. Only the lower books, and a ax will appear beside the bookcase. hope this helps.
WHERE THE HECK DO YA FIND THE FUEL!? I have everything else I need… PLEASE I’M DESPRIT…
the fuel is in the cellar next to the school.
the stove as to be 500
with the stove set at 500 you will see 3 lights flash on top of the stove,you will need them to do a puzzle
can anybody help me i am in the attic and cant get out, been thru the trap door and the other 2 doors but still cant get out
need help on the puzzle in the elevator, the four cards. also how do you get the last puzzle of the game with the flipping of the numbers?