Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Griptonite / Big Fish Games	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Nintendo	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sept. 8, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Other kinds of puzzles are worked into the game to give your eyes a chance to rest every so often. Some require you to note the differences between two similar images, while others offer cutely animated logical conundrums. There's also an assortment of jigsaw puzzles, sliding puzzles, matching games, and other brain teasers to break up the monotony of staring intently at dozens of finely detailed images for hours on end. These side diversions are a wise addition, but they're nowhere near as challenging or fun as the main event.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir screenshot

Strong audio and visual accoutrements set MillionHeir apart from the slate of generic casual games available on the DS. Every colorful, picturesque scene is large and full of vibrant detail. The small DS screens may require you to peer closely at times, but they're certainly manageable. Though there's not a lot of emphasis on them, the inclusion of subtle animation adds a nice touch to the different location in the game. The playful soundtrack switches up frequently and fits the nature of the game perfectly. Frequent sound effects for objects and scenery elements also enhance the item hunting experience.

A fine level of polish was heaped on MillionHeir, yet the framework of the adventure falls short of providing a cohesive gameplay experience. The object hunting puzzles are excellent, but they don't always feel connected to the story or the characters. Playing the game feels very little like detective work and very much like playing a long string of puzzles. Had the attempt at fancy trappings and plot been stripped out completely, the game could have just as easily been successfully marketed as another puzzle collection. As an interactive adventure, MillionHeir Falls short. Still, it's one hell of a puzzle game.

By Nathan Meunier
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.9

Graphics
Tons of beautifully detailed locations to meticulously pore over and a strong visual presentation.

4.0

Control
Solid controls utilize the touch screen and mic cleverly. It's a smooth transition from PC to DS.

3.9

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Pleasant background music mixes cohesively with interesting item-specific sound effects.

3.8

Play Value
The item hunting puzzles are a blast, though the extra puzzles and the story are not quite up to snuff.

3.9

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir showcases a multitude of beautiful, intricately detailed painted scenes in which players seek out cleverly hidden items to progress through an interactive detective story. There are 12 potential heirs to examine, 30 detailed scenes to peruse, and more than 1,000 hidden objects to find.

With the game's intuitive touch-screen control, fans can quickly delve into the world of Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir and begin their investigation. Players use special analytical tools and interact with on-screen objects simply by using the Nintendo DS stylus.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir is the only Mystery Case Files game to include multiplayer options. In multiplayer modes, players can search for clues together or compete head-to-head. Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir also includes game-sharing with DS Download Play so friends and family can share the experience.