Mystery Case Files: Crossfade – Review

Starting off right where Mystery Case Files: The Harbinger ended, this twenty-second Mystery Case Files game takes the Master Detective through time hoops in an attempt to save the world! When the timeline is broken and existence as we know it is about to be destroyed, can rise to the occasion and save the day once more?

Mystery Case Files: Crossfade marks GrandMA Studios‘ second time taking on this iconic hidden object game series. This sequel is a direct continuation of the previous installment, which was released earlier this year. In true MCF fashion, there is plenty of thrills and chills throughout the game. The storyline is a good mix of fantasy and paranormal, with a hefty backstory. In fact, the center of the game revolves around revisiting old cases – from Ravenhearst and Broken Hour to Fate’s Carnival and Black Veil. In other words, Crossfade is sort of like if Mystery Case Files: Rewind was a proper HOPA instead of a retro-style hidden object game.

It is evident that GrandMA Studios tries their hardest to live up to the long-standing Mystery Case Files legacy. While Mystery Case Files: Crossfade definitely belongs in the studio’s upper echelon of games, whether it or not it successfully captures the essence and the style of the franchise is up for debate. Firstly, the gameplay in Crossfade is entertaining and sophisticated in its own rights, but fails to deliver a layered, complicated and cryptic adventure that the series is often known and loved for. The hidden object scenes and the puzzles are well-integrated into the storyline, but have the potential to be much more challenging.

The production values in Mystery Case Files: Crossfade are through the roof. All the visuals elements, from graphics to cutscenes, are of top-notch quality and every cent deserves a place in the studio’s hall of fame. Although the look and feel of Crossfade is nowhere near as moody as that of other installments such as Dire Grove and 13th Skull, there is no denying the caliber of the visual achievements here. Moreover, the audio aspects are equally well-done, with voice-overs that highlight each character’s personality and soundtracks that perfectly set the scene.

Of course, Mystery Case Files: Crossfade is a Collector’s Edition – and it is packed with features. This includes an hour-long bonus chapter, a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, videos, replayable hidden object scenes, replayable mini-games, achievements, collectibles, morphing objects, and a jigsaw puzzle.

Mystery Case Files: Crossfade revisits past cases through a fresh lens and has a breathtaking production to back it up.