Mystery Case Files 19: Moths to a Flame

Mystery Case Files: Moths to a Flame
by Eipix Entertainment - August, 2019

Series links:  Mystery Case Files 1: Huntsville, Mystery Case Files 2: Prime Suspects, Mystery Case Files 3: Ravenhearst, Mystery Case Files 4: Madame Fate, Mystery Case Files 5: Return to Ravenhearst, Mystery Case Files 6: Dire Grove, Mystery Case Files 7: 13th Skull, Mystery Case Files 8: Escape From Ravenhearst, Mystery Case Files 9: Shadow Lake, Mystery Case Files 10: Fate's Carnival, Mystery Case Files 11: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove, Mystery Case Files 12: Key to Ravenhearst, Mystery Case Files 13: Ravenhearst Unlocked, Mystery Case Files 14: Broken Hour, Mystery Case Files 15: The Black Veil; Mystery Case Files 16: The Revenant's Hunt; Mystery Case Files 17: Rewind; Mystery Case Files 18: The Countess; Mystery Case Files 19: Moths to a Flame, Mystery Case Files 20: Black Crown

Available at:
Big Fish as Collector's Edition /



When a new assignment brings you to the Zenith Museum of Oddities, what was supposed to be an open and shut case spirals into a complex web of deceit. Someone knows about your past, and they’ve prepared a special tribute to all your biggest cases. But what do they want, and what will become of the innocents that stand in their way? You’ll need all your skills to stop the dangerous foe that threatens to use your past against you in this heart-pounding new chapter in the classic hidden-object puzzle adventure game saga

• The Master Detective must figure out who is the Archivist’s last hostage! Help free the other MCF agents from the Archivist’s schemes! Disable the bomb set to destroy the MCF archives.
  
• Search for stamps, souvenirs, and morphing objects hidden throughout the game!
  
• Replay your favorite HOPs and mini-games - and earn even more achievements!
  
• Enjoy memorable wallpapers, concept art, videos, and music.
  
• Keep your adventure on track with the strategy guide!
  

Mystery Case Files 19: Moths to a Flame (IHOG)

Options include separate sliders for Music, SFX, Voices and Cutscene Music, Custom Cursor, Subtitles, Full-screen and Popups.  There are three pre-set difficulties, or you can fully-customize your options.  Can be changed at any time during gameplay.

Sights and Sounds:

The voice-overs were well-done, the sfx were appropriate, and the music was repetitive (if you look below, you'll see that the music tracks weren't offered as bonus content this time around.)

Visually the game is very nice, but nothing really striking.


Story:

Some files have gone missing from MCF headquarters, and you've been sent to the Zenith Museum of Oddities to retrieve them.  A new foe with an axe to grind has prepared a very special reception for you, but the question is, can you survive long enough to defeat him!

The Journal contains extra story, but there are also spoilers for previous cases, especially for #14, The Broken Hour.  Gameplay has spoilers for #12, Key to Ravenhearst.

Gameplay:

Be on the lookout for collectible stamps (the kind you have to ink, not postage stamps); one at each location. The MAP can be interactive, and has instant-transport for unlocked areas.  Directional HINTS are also available.



Most of the Hidden Object Scenes are your typical MCF, lightly-interactive junkpiles, but there are a few other types, including riddles and silhouettes.  There is one morphing item per HOS that you visit.

Mini-games vary from pretty easy to "YES! MCF-style, truly imaginative puzzles!"  These door-lock-type puzzles are tiered, where you can skip just the part you're having trouble with (if needed) and continue with the rest of the mini.  IMO, these were the best part of the game!


CE Content:

• Integrated Strategy Guide
  
• Bonus Chapter
  
• In-game Achievements
  
• 40 Collectible Stamps (indicator in toolbar, bottom right).  CAN go back in to get those that you missed from the Extras area.
  
• Morphing items, one in each HOS (indicator in toolbar, bottom right)
  
• 8 Wallpapers (four dimensions to choose from, 1024x768 up to 1920x1080)
  
• 8 Concept Art
  
• 6 Cutscenes
  
• 25 Mini-games
  
• 19 Hidden Object Scenes (with scoring for time and accuracy - can get any morphing items you missed here)
  
• 10 Souveniers (revisit 10 locations to find a collectible on each)
  

Bonus Chapter:

Although the ending of the main game feels complete, it has a visual that leaves you with a lingering question.  We won't have any answers until a future game, though, as the bonus chapter does not address it!  What we do have is one last hostage to save.  A nice addition to the story.

Verdict:

I highly recommend making yourself familiar with the MCF series before tackling Moths to a Flame, especially the games that deal with Ravenhearst, Madame Fate and The Broken Hour (don't read the journal if you skip The Broken Hour!)  You can find a rundown of the series, with a brief synopsis for each game HERE. Going into this game without playing the previous installments is okay, as it's a pretty good game in its own right, but I think you'll enjoy it more if you know the background info.

I bought and played this game;  highly enjoyed it.  I must admit, even though I own
every MCF game,  I could not recall what Broken Hour was about.   But I didn't mind;
I figured I could replay it to refresh my memory.