Bookmark
Mystery Case Files®: Dire Grove™ Collector's Edition 
Exclusive
$ 13.99 USD or 2 credits
Learn more about the Collector's Edition
Be the first to play Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove with this special Collector’s Edition.
Use your wits and Hidden Object and Adventure game talent to follow the trail of a group of missing graduate students in Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove!
Experience all the exclusive Collector’s Edition extras including bonus “Easter egg” levels and puzzles that reveal secrets related to both past and future Mystery Case Files episodes. The integrated Deluxe Strategy Guide also includes extra video outtakes, concept art, screenshots, and desktop wallpapers.
The Collector’s Edition includes:
- Bonus gameplay that reveals MCF “secrets”
- A new Challenge and Achievement system
- Collect over 50 hidden objects that continually change shape
- A Deluxe Strategy Guide, integrated into the game
- Check out our Blog Walkthrough
Click images to enlarge
Game System Requirements:
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8
- CPU: 2.0 GHz
- RAM: 1280 MB
- DirectX: 9.0
- Hard Drive: 605 MB
Game Manager System Requirements:
- Browser: Internet Explorer 7 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®: Dire Grove™ Collector's Edition
0 out of 5 (0 ReviewsReview)
Average Rating:
Customer Reviews
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove? Collector's Edition
60
60
Way TOO Hyped - A Guy's Review
*Review based on completing the full game in normal mode*
It looks like this game has been an introduction into HO games for many people, and therefore serves as a special game for many. My first one was "Palm of Zoroaster", so I can see how this is. If this is your first experience with the genre, then it will probably blow you away, but if it isn't I can not understand that it will be special in any way.
I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but I can not understand how else this game has such a high rating if one compares with games today (2012). I have played several that is much better than this, including its follow ups in the franchise. But, luckily we have different tastes and preferences.
This is how I experienced this game:
The graphics are just fine, and by the time of release probably top notch. Comparing it to today's standards it is nothing special. Don't get me wrong though, it is still good. They use live actors in cut scenes to bring the story forward, and a few times they come to life in the game world as well, though this is not very well integrated. Looks rather sloppy to be honest.
The story is well written and they do well to make you feel you are a part of it all. The actors do an ok job and seem believable on the most part. The story in itself is both interesting and engaging, and cleverly mysterious. So much so that I considered looking it up to see if it is any truth to it all. If I was grading this game on the story alone I could easily see myself giving it a 5.
It is mostly in the game play I feel a bit disappointed, and this is much because of personal preferences. I am an adventure freak and like that aspect of games the most. I found very little adventure elements in this game, though there were some. You progress through the game mostly by items found in HO scenes. This is of course great if that is what you prefer. But I find it a bit boring and repetitive.
It certainly does not help that you have to visit most of these HO scenes twice, and have to find several of the same items over again. That, to me, is just lazy. Neither is there a motivation to go to these HO scenes. You just have to stroll around all of the map to find which one is active. They have no interactive elements either. To top it off they are overly cluttered and you have to find several small items. Really not my cup of tea in a game like this. They are pretty crisp, so nothing is blurry, but several scenes are rather dark and/or grey.
There is very few puzzles in this game as well. And several of them are rather similar. It doesn't offer much variety. I didn't find them as challenging either, as MCF usually presents. I guess I would call them moderately.
I have read reviews saying this game is lengthy and well worth the CE price. I do not agree. I did not find the game particularly lengthy at all. What made it feel lengthy is basically all the back and fourth traveling you need to do, and because of little direction, all the time you try to figure out what you can do where. I tend to like the latter part of those, and usually don't mind the first either, but it got ridiculous at times in this game.
There is no map to help you out, so you'll be clicking yourself blue through the labyrinth of locations. The Journal on the other hand is very useful. In the CE you can also access the strategy guide through the menu, which seemed a bit clumsy to me, but I rarely use it anyway.
I might not have figured out the way MCF does their difficulty levels? As with "13th Skull" you can change "attitude" settings in options, but it doesn't state what it changes, so I didn't dare to touch them. They might change the difficulty, but I really don't know. I suspect they do change the difficulty though as I had sparkles on all items and scenes I could interact with. I like to play without that.
As for the bonus content being worth the double price: Not a chance! I have played SE games with more content than this. You get to collect morphing items (50 of them), there are some achievements, and you get to "tour the office" if you collect them all. Oh, and of course the strategy guide. It offers a little extra enjoyment, but not enough to warrant a CE price. Get it on an offer, or get the SE is my advice.
I will recommend the game to newcomers to the genre and to the ones who like a "spooky" story. Beware that it might be challenging for beginners, but it all depends on how much of a challenge you want. Get the SE, or the CE at a discount. Save the extra money/credits for something else. The game is perfectly ok but nowhere as good as the ratings might lead you to believe. If in doubt try it out before buying.
For the guys:
You are just referred to as detective/master detective, and there is no gender bias. The story should suit all who like a bit of "campfire horror story".
TJ
November 14, 2012
one of the best
Now this is a long HO game that will keep you wanting more. Can be a little hard for the beginner but worth playing. Great storyline. You do have to go back and forth a lot to get clues and items to play but worth the trouble.
August 12, 2012
My new ALL-TIME Favorite!
You can't go wrong with this game!!Loved it!!What a great and exciting storyline. A mixture of thriller/horror movie but with the option to stop, run the other way or don't go into the room for now.The spooky visuals excited by the eerie music draws you into the game; occasionally prompting you to leave all the lights on in your house. Once again the real actor movies gave the game the life that it has! The hidden objects puzzles were alluring and well done. Not too easy but not too hard ensuring you don't lose the pace. Believe me when I say, you will not be disappointed by this game! Hopefully a part 2 will be out soon (hint, hint)?
July 14, 2012
Another Great Mystery Case Files Entry
I have played all of the Mystery Case Files and this is probably my favorite. The graphics are superb as is the audio choices for the game. The puzzles are challenging without being so aggravating that you want to give up. The storyline is one of the very best out there today. As far as supernatural ghost HOGs go, Ravenhearst may be the champ, but for all around creepy and disturbing, Dire Grove is the best game out there. This is a must have for any HOG or adventure game fan and i cannot recommend it highly enough. Do yourself a favor and at least check the demo out!
May 5, 2013
A true Masterpiece! THe standard for MCF and HOG games!
This game is so good, that it goes beyond the level where something is so good that there are no words to describe it! The fun factor, creepy factor, winter scenery/artwork, definitely the music, and the actors are all so perfect! Even had the pleasure of chatting with the actress, Lauren Dobbins Webb, who played Susan in the game! I have easily made this THE standard for which all games must be held accountable to, and it's something that EVERYONE needs to experience. Also, you need to give the few extra dollars for the Collector's Edition. So many great extras and levels that really add to! YES, IT'S THAT GOOD!! Thanks Big Fish for this wonderful experience!
February 13, 2013
Beautiful!!!!
Dire Grove was a wonderful experience for me as a mystery loving girl of 16. I was thoroughly intrigued by the graphics, the beautiful setting which really got you into the atmosphere. The story line was imaginative yet not far fetched. The challenges were not hard but they needed some thinking all the same. I was kept on edge and finished the game in 5 hours straight because once I started it, I couldn't let go of it. Thanks goes to the producers of course!
February 12, 2013
One of the BEST Games I've ever played...
This game gets a 5 Star rating from me. I'm a HUGE fan of MCF Games, and this one was my favorite! Beautiful snow scenes, AWESOME storyline That kept me up late and kept me playing. I enjoy REAL human characters when playing HOGs' , and especially finding the "morphing" objects,which this game had. I'd like to see more games like this one in the future...Or maybe even a Part II to this MCF game. This game is a MUST have for all HOG Lovers'.
June 16, 2012
The best HOG
This is the best HOG I have ever played. In fact, I didn't sleep, I just kept playing, and once it was over, I wanted to go back in time and experience it anew.
I can't even compare other games to Dire Grove, otherwise I'd stop enjoying HOGging.
April 2, 2012
Best Game Ever
Simply the best game ever, Great story, superb graphics. Absolutely loved it. More like this one please.
March 18, 2012
Awesome game play with most likely the best story line yet!
Enjoyed this game right from the start. Spent hours of great fun and thought to finish the game. There wasn't any wrong in the game, no hang-ups or errors to my knowledge. Have played many times over, too.
January 28, 2012
The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
