The mystery is how they can charge so much for such a poor game! (Mystery Case Files: Millionheir (DS))

Member Name: Darkstar101

Product:	Mystery Case Files: Millionheir (DS)
Date:	30/05/09 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to complete. Suitable for all ages.

Disadvantages: Repetitive, dull, dark graphics, no real challenge

Mystery Case Files: MILLIONHEIR

Manufacturer: Nintendo
Platform : DS
Developer : Big Fish Games
ESRB : Everyone


The Game:

Like previous games in the Mystery Case Files series, MillionHeir casts you as a detective investigating a big case, this time the disappearance of an eccentric millionaire.
In the best traditions of Agatha Christie, the setting is an old mansion with 12 suspects and a few red herrings, played out in a 2d environment, with the objective being to find the missing 30 items in each level, with an option for playing against the clock in a time limit mode.
There are also a number of minigames available throughout the levels.


Gameplay:

Millionheir is one of the most eagerly anticipated but disappointing games I have ever played.
In true RPG mode I had expected to actually piece the clues together and solve a mystery but in each investigation / level all you had to do was find a list of objects in a spot the difference/ Where's Wally? kind of way upon which the game would lead you to the next level (no detective work required) where you would do exactly the same thing again until all levels were completed.
You do have to puzzle out a few of the connections, but there are no truly challenging problems, and if you get stuck the "hint" mode more or less gives you the exact answer, but all too often the challenge is simply that the item being searched for is too small to spot easily.
One big plus (or minus, depending on your point of view) is that you have to re-visit previous locations to complete a puzzle, so a good memory for viewed items is a big help.


Game Duration:

I completed the game in about 9 hours and I probably would have done it quicker if the dull graphics hadn't been such a strain on my eyesight. More often than not I had to hold the DS about four inches from my nose to be able to see the objects being "searched" for, and if your DS screen has any scratches then finding the clues will be a nightmare.
The game is so repetitive I felt like giving up half way through but persevered until the end because I had paid so much for it.


Conclusion:

If a simple object search without having to think too hard is what you are looking for then this game could be a pleasant time-passer.
If you are expecting anything like Professor Layton, then don't bother with this one - if I had paid a fiver for it I would have felt somewhat cheated. Not good value for money at all.

Summary: Extremely disappointing and positively mind numbing.