Bookmark
Mystery Case Files®: Shadow Lake Collector's Edition 
Exclusive
$ 13.99 USD or 2 credits
Uncover the evil legend that haunts a forgotten town in Mystery Case Files®: Shadow Lake! In 1973, something wicked took over the town of Bitterford, Maine, after an unsuspecting inmate unearthed a mysterious object from beneath the prison floor.
Years later, Bitterford lies in ruin. You must join forces with psychic Cassandra Williams, played by award-winning actress Lea Thompson, to investigate the events that led to the town's destruction.
Only you can expose the evil that lurks in the depths of Shadow Lake. But beware... What you discover may haunt you forever.
This is a special Collector's Edition release full of exclusive extras you won't find in the standard version. As a bonus, Collector's Edition purchases count toward three stamps on your Monthly Game Club Punch Card!
The Collector's Edition includes:
- Exclusive bonus gameplay
- Unlockable Morphing Objects
- Beautiful screensavers & wallpapers
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes video
- Dynamic casebook and integrated Strategy Guide
Click images to enlarge
Game System Requirements:
- OS: 10.8/10.7/10.6
- CPU: 1.8 GHz (INTEL ONLY)
- RAM: 1024 MB
- Hard Drive: 1517 MB
Game Manager System Requirements:
- Browser: Safari 4.0 or later
Buy this game Get 3 punches
The Big Fish Guarantee:
- Quality tested and virus free.
- No ads, no adware, no spyware.
Your Security and Privacy are important to us! Privacy Policy
Recently Viewed Games
Reviews at a Glance
Mystery Case Files®: Shadow Lake Collector's Edition
0 out of 5 (0 ReviewsReview)
Average Rating:
Customer Reviews
Mystery Case Files: Shadow Lake Collector's Edition
780
780
What have they done to my alltime favourite?
My heart is bleeding. No really, it is bleeding.
First of all, I'm probably the biggest MCF fan ever. Seriously. It would have needed a lot to disappoint me. 'A lot' like in 'a huge amount'.
But now I am. Disappointed.
The biggest let-downs to me are:
1.) Where are the beautifully drawn backgrounds that made all MCF games look so lovingly and oldfashioned?
In "Shadow Lake" the backgrounds seem totally artificial. The surfaces are unnaturally smooth which gives them a sterile touch and takes much of the atmosphere.
2.) Until now, I didn't see any morphing objects. That's so disappointing! I love morphing objects, in fact I love them so much that I usually buy only HO games that have that feature. Since MCF invented morphing objects (they first appeared in "Madame Fate"), I consider it kind of a betrayal that they didn't include them in "Shadow Lake".
3.) Lea Thompson.
I like her as an actress, I really do, but she doesn't seem to take this job very serious. Actually, she acts like she's embarassed to play in a computer game.
4.) Subitles and HO lists. The font is awful, boring like a standard W*nd*ws font. The speech bubble is boring as well.
Where is the creativity and artistic work in interface design?
The only thing I really liked was the beautiful map that made travelling so much easier.
The other MCF games set super-high standards and thus, super-high expectations. "Shadow Lake" couldn't meet these expectations. At all.
"Shadow Lake" is okay. Okay, but far from extraordinary like all the other MCF games. I guess the standard edition would have been enough.
I'm off. Crying in my pillow or something.
November 20, 2012
I waited how long for this!!!??? :(
Have been looking forward to the latest MCF release for a while now, I loved the Ravenhearst games, Dire Grove and 13th Skull - naturally I had really high expectations for Shadow Lake but I have been left utterly disappointed :(
I was done with the game in about 5 hours, this would be a problem if I had been enjoying the game play but to be honest I was glad that it was over so quickly. If I could sum this game up in one word it would definitely be "repetitive", basically you do a hidden object scene, match pictures to a scene, take the pictures to the psychic, do an awful "puzzle" which once completed shows a short video to do with the story line.....you repeat this process over and over until you get to the end. I counted maybe 2 puzzles in the whole game? (other than the psychic reading "puzzles") and both were very simple compared to previous MCF games. The hidden object scenes weren't very creative. The graphics were a major let down, not the quality I would expect of an MCF game. I love MCF games because of their captivating story lines, the story line here was dull and unimaginative. To be honest I am finding it hard to believe this is an MCF game at all!!! If you don't like to push your brain too hard then by all means buy this game, but if you actually want to be challenged forget it.
The only positive aspect about all this is the live actors which has always set MCF games apart from the heard, I adore Lea Thompson and I just wish they had produced a better game for her to star in :(
November 20, 2012
Review is on finished gameplay - skip the CE and get the SE, overall very disappointing
The ratings are for the CE as, as per sadly usual the only real extras were 50 morphs that actually aren't unlocked till you do the 'bonus' area which took me 15 mins. Bonus area was 2 puzzles -one click on one square type to get them all lit up was very easy and can be done in under 10 secs, and the other puzzle took me under 10 mins to work out and I think I'm slow on that! The whole area I did in 10 mins, yes a ten minute bonus chapter - any other DEV doing that would be ripped to shreds. (there might be some easter eggs in that area but playing time was that)
If you buy the CE for the SG then you're out of luck, as if you thought last year's SG was unhelpful then this takes it up a notch. No instructions on puzzles, all pictures and if you forget where the picture is tough! The hint button was also unhelpful when I tried to use it! And warning in the bonus area, there is no hint or even SG.
If you buy it for extras, then again you'll be disappointed, no achievements, no unlocking of puzzles, just morphs and "making off" which while interesting doesn't justify the price as there isn't a decent bonus chapter like other CEs.
Back to gameplay, the demo is good, gameplay as usual is hard for a HOPA but after demo things began to fall apart. It was so forumlaic/repetitive as in at the end of each chapter you are called by the psychic to get 'drawings' (small clip of a scene you have visited and you have to find it - reverse HOS) then after you backtrack all over areas you've just been to, to place them you get a tumbling arcade type jigsaw. You have to play 7 of these jigsaw getting progressively harder each time.
While I hate arcade type games I do try but by the time the fifth one came and I couldn't move the main blocks out of the way (some are stuck) and tried connecting a mini smaller block but because of proximity they wouldn't turn so I had to skip it then thought all the rest would be the same so skipped them as well. I'm just glad that on hardest there was a skip button (I just don't want sparkles or black bar tips)
I counted 12 puzzles (ones you could skip there were others I'd class as puzzles but had no skip button) but out of those 12 - 7 of them were the repeating jigsaw type!
None were different (but the fuse one I hadn't seen for a while so enjoyed that) and about half of them were arcade type. I skipped another arcade type as well.
13 HOS ( different ones but as they were over more than one scene it felt a lot more!)
Oh how I miss the morph different kind of HOS, here it just dragged on as a lot were over multiple areas. This isn't new as old HOGs used to do this. All but one were list type, and all but one were not junk pile. Items were tiny and very well blended in so you better have perfect eyesight. There sadly is a random click penalty (on hard, don't know about casual)
Graphics were a weird mix, of sharp and well done scenes to looking like they were compressed and so dull, so many monochromatic scenes - a lot has a green hue on them.
WARNING for some (slight spoiler)
While I'm sure that people who don't like dark, summoning spirits know this about MCF games it's really ramped up here sadly.
-There is an exorcism on an object
-Throughout there is a psychic communicating with the dead and others
-There is a demonic worship act, mumbling in latin to summon demons
I do wish they would do a different type of storyline, I like dark but don't think it needs to involve child abuse (last game) or demons and spirits. I'm actually fed up with those kind of stories in MCF games, but this has taken it one step further.
Even if you want the CE and think morphs alone are worth double the price, I'd wait until big fish release a walkthrough (which they did last year a few days after the CE release as they realised their mistake, shame they didn't learn their lesson but I suspect there will be one released in a few days) or at least a sale.
I was so done by the game at the end, when I did finally unlock the morphs the thought of backtracking yet again through all the scenes, filled me with dread and for the first time in a game didn't bother with most of them. Yes there is a transporter map but it's only on main locations and sometimes you are backtracking 9 scenes within an area, and clicking on the area you are in doesn't work sadly.
Live actors, I usually love and sometimes it did hold the game together, but sorry the 'named actress' came across as melodramatic, and frankly bad especially at the end.
Personally I think it's the 2nd worst MCF with 13 skull being the worst. Does that mean they are bad games? NO! Just in comparison with the others and my rating is on that and waiting a year for this. Sorry as much hype big fish tries to drum up, so not living up to it.
This is a case of demo is much better than the game.
While I appreciate some of it, and the mild 'scare' factor (very mild) and some different interactions, I just didn't like this game but I do objectively see that it is a good game so I do recommend the SE version, just not the CE.
November 20, 2012
Bored
This is not the beautifully rendered game that the previous ones were. With the more realistic graphics, and the live videos, I might as well be watching television (the interrruption of live video in the game is like having commercials). The earlier MCF games were great, especially Madame Fate, but this one is just dull. The hidden object scenes drag through a whole room or too, the puzzles are too easy, all in all I think the MCF crew has gone completely off the track. This is no longer the awesome series it once was,
November 20, 2012
Pretty Good AND Pretty Bad - A Guy's Review
*review based on completing the full game in expert mode including (I think) the bonus play*
The MCF series is an established series that many players hold close to their heart here at Big Fish. They have pretty much pushed the genre forward and set the standards with every release. I haven't been around that long, but that is my understanding from what I've heard by other players. So I am quite surprised on how this game turned out. I think they are out on thin ice this time around.
Well, clearly MCF is on a higher budget than most other casual games here at Big Fish. You can easily notice that by the high end production and the use of real actors that actually can act. Graphics, animations, sound and game mechanics reflects that all the way. It looks beautiful, and the live actors are smoothly put into the backdrops. Visually I think I can say that it is the best I've seen so far among similar games.
Unfortunately high end productions and visually pleasing does not necessarily mean that a game is great. I feel this game lacks several things from becoming a great game. It is ok, but nothing more.
This is disappointing taking into account the expectation one has for the release of a new game in this series.
It is definitely not all bad though. I am an adventure fan, and the game offered quite a bit adventuring in a logical and clever way. I found that part actually the best part of the game. I also loved the matching of drawing pieces in the scenes. Clever new addition to the game.
Also the HO "scenes" were more to my liking as it is not actually scenes, but you have to find items through several areas within a location. That makes them a bit more challenging and interesting. Unfortunately then, that some of the "scenes" were small and dark and items to find were tiny. I play on a rather big monitor and can't even start to imagine how hard that's gonna be on smaller screens. They will probably not appeal to people who likes traditionally HO scenes, and I think there are many out there who would like to see some of those. Also, there are quite few of them. So few that it almost shouldn't qualify as a HO game. Treading away from the core of what made this series popular in the first place is brave, but also dangerous.
There are some puzzles and mini-games as well. But this too seemed quite few. Some rather pointless. I've played most of the MCF series so far (lacking a couple of the oldest ones) and I'm used to this series being quite challenging. That is one of the things that to me was most appealing to this series. This one, however, is not challenging at all. I played it in expert mode, and only had to use the hint a few times, just to check how fast it recharged and if it hinted or gave solutions (will get to those details further down).
I feel I need to single out one type of puzzle that you have to do several of. It is a physics based mosaic puzzle. When I say physics it means you have to move and turn the pieces by holding in the mouse button and drag and turn them to lock them to a piece that fits it. Bumping into other pieces means that they will be thrown around. This was just horribly badly made and was more of a nuisance than anything else.
There are only two difficulty levels to choose from:
Casual:
-Sparkles on active zone and items
-Hints/skip recharges quickly
-Optional tutorial and instructions
Expert:
-No sparkles at all
-Slower hints/skip (but not really slow)
-No hand holding
After finishing the game so easily in expert mode, I would suggest to everyone from mediocre to advanced players to choose expert. Only beginners should select casual.
When it comes to the storyline I found it a bit "too much sugar in the coffee", or "too much icing on the cake" or whatever you'd like to call it. It was borderline ridiculous. Now, I know this series has been far fetched and not taking itself too serious before with humorous elements, but this time it felt more dumb than funny. I am a guy, so I might not have gotten the humor that seemed more targeted towards women (not because it was dumb). Running errands for an overplayed psychic just didn't really appeal to me and it doesn't seem like something a master detective would blindly do.
You get a pretty nice overview map that is interactive and actually the only way of traveling between the locations this time. I found that a bit weird. Not because the map was interactive, but it felt like a clunky way to move around. I also found the "world" to be rather small with few locations and few things to do in each one. Neither was the locations particularly interesting.
Bonus content:
Either it is a joke or I haven't seen it all.
Like before there are 50 morphing objects to collect. Only problem is that they are not there from the beginning. No, you have to play the bonus area (only available in the CE) to unlock them. That offered very little extra game play, so it should be quick to set in motion. Only problem is: I noticed that it said bonus area, and thought maybe it would be best to save it until after the main game. Little did I know that I had to do it to start the morphing objects. There is no information to get anywhere or any explanation that I could find that mentioned this in the game. I started thinking that they didn't bring the morphing objects into the game this time. Luckily I re decided and did the bonus part early on, so I didn't have to track through all the locations AGAIN. But, I sit left wondering how many who will miss out on this because of the lack of information? Not a good idea Big Fish. If I would have waited until the end before doing this, I would just opt out of trying to find them at all. I did not find all though, so I do not know what you get for collecting all of them. Hopefully you get some more game play, because what comes extra with the CE does not hold grounds at all.
Very little extra game play (unless more after collecting all morphing objects), 50 morphing objects to find, strategy guide, a behind the scenes video is about all you get for the extra credit or $7-10. IMO a big waste.
No, Big Fish, you got to do better than this. I think you've managed to get people more reserved towards the next release in this series. Make sure you steer that one back on track. It has a lot of meh's but it isn't all bad. But its nothing more than ok, and ok is not good enough for this series.
The game has an ok length in itself, but the CE offer nothing of value. I will not recommend the CE version of this game. Wait for the SE and use the extra credit on something else, or at least wait for a discount before considering the CE. Of course we all have different tastes and preferences, and you might like this game better than what I did, but I suggest to try it before buying.
For the guys:
Well, I can't help to feel that this story was aimed more towards the better gender, but it is survivable for most men as well. Just prepare for some overly psychic superstition and a overplayed psychic. Gotta love the Chris Angel wannabe though ;o)
TJ
November 20, 2012
Loved MCF Games till this one!
It is so slow to play because of the scenes you HAVE to listen to. I wanted to skip through some of the dialog too often. I did not find the storyline interesting. I really expected a more adventurous game like the past ones.
I hope they do not continue the changes in the next new games.
November 20, 2012
Not what I expected
Finished the game in 3 hours. Hidden object scenes too small ....far too many cut scenes. Not really challenging....no mind bending puzzles - just endless matching of photo's.....Come on guys you've done better than this in the past. This is worse than the 13th Skull .......very very disappointed :(
November 20, 2012
This is the last MCF I will buy
Well, this way better than the last one but that's not saying much. I really wanted to love this and I really gave it an open mind, but it is just not good. I tried and tried to keep giving it a chance to get better and it never did. I am actually shocked that they think this is a great game.
I loved the new way of doing HOS and I loved the matching drawings. All that is very fun. HOWEVER, that's pretty much all there is, folks. There are hardly any puzzles and what's there are very very easy. THere is hardly ANY storyline. It is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing through very dull, empty buildings with NOTHING going on.
How many times did I walk into a room in this game and have nothing to do? Nothing to click on, engage with. Over and over and over. Why design all these places only to hardly do anything with them??? THis was easliy the most boring, repetitive MCF game. There was no game to it really. It is a series of HOs, that;s it. They were well done, but it's hardly anything more.
MCF has definately, definately jumped the shark and been totally surpassed in the HO genre., When I think how good the Grim Tales series is in comparison, it is embarassing.
I really did not want to have to write a negative review. I really really didn't. BUt I had to.
It was so dull I can't imagine ever wanting to pay it again.
November 20, 2012
Lost their way
The clue is in 'Hidden objects' - this is supposed to be a hiddeen objects game but they do seem to have lost their way somewhat.- there are plenty of challenges but not many hidden objects scenes. And not much fun either. Sorry, no longer enjoying Mystery Case Files games. This game is strictly for the advanced gamer in my opinion. I am sure this will be a great game for some players but not for me, although I really enjoyed most of the MCF games and play them over and over again, but this one did not hit the spot,
November 20, 2012
Could Be Better
This is from the demo: (Well, and maybe more, since I bought it.) Backgrounds and screensavers and whatnot are locked at the beginning, but they are unlocked once you get past a certain point in the game.
Pros:- Interesting hidden object scenes. They take up whole rooms. They're not exactly interactive, though, minus zooming in on drawers and maybe using a key to open something.
- Really great graphics.
- Voice acting/acting is good. The Ghost Hunter guy made me laugh.
- Music is fine. I like that it's not overbearing.
- The journal keeps track of things you need to remember, for the most part.
Cons:- The story (so far) is not that original.
- Mini-games are pretty easy.
- The strategy guide is awful. No table of contents. No pages! It only gives you a solution for the screen you're on, except sometimes even that doesn't work, and it gives me the previous screen that I've already solved. You can't tell how many chapters the game is.
- "Live" puzzles are weird. The puzzle pieces have a "weight" to them, so when you move them around the sort of spin and they can bump into each other and wreck the alignment of the other pieces.
- No achievements!
- Collector's edition things are not explained well. I see "bonus content" in the journal on some pages, but it's not explained.
November 20, 2012
The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
The Windows logo is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
The Windows logo is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
