Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects
| Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Big Fish Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Big Fish Games |
| Series | Mystery Case Files |
| Engine | Director |
| Platform(s) | Windows / Mac OS X, Nintendo DS |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Adventure/Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects is an adventure-puzzle casual game developed by Big Fish Studios, and distributed by Big Fish Games. It is the second installment in the Mystery Case Files series. The game is available exclusively at Big Fish Games website. The Mystery Case Files franchise is the number one brand in casual games and has sold more than 2.5 million units to date.[1]
Story
Following on the heels of Mystery Case Files: Huntsville, the player is tasked with investigating the disappearance of the Queen’s Hope Diamond in Capital City. The 800 carats (160 g) diamond was stolen from the Capital City Plaza Gallery where it was on display as part of the annual mineral convention, Sparkle Daze. Prime Suspects adds items that players have to discover to unlock later levels (such as finding a battery to power a flashlight). Characters also became a more prominent part of the series with the investigation revolving around a list of 20 characters with different personality ‘quirks’. After identifying the five prime suspects, the player discovers the person that is responsible for the stolen diamond and after that person is caught, the player searches for the gem box and after opening it and retrieving the diamond, the Queen thanks the player for finding the stolen diamond through a letter.
Characters
Suspects
- Constance Noring AKA The Snoozy Cruiser - Occupation: Curiosity shop operator and accidental car thief
- Crystal Ball AKA Madam Fleiss - Occupation: Fraudulent medium
- Kara Donnan AKA La Couturiere Criminelle - Occupation: Seamstress and fashion mogul
- Barry Swanson AKA Spry Guy - Occupation: Unemployed superhero
- John Thomas AKA Johnny Vicious - Occupation: Soccer hooligan
- Annie Buddyhome AKA Mommy - Occupation: Housewife and suspected master thief
- James Michael AKA Jimmy Glitter - Occupation: Lead guitarist of rock band Buttercream
- Vincent Gavone AKA Vinny the Chin - Occupation: Token Mafia guy
- Holly Day Inn AKA Her Heinous Highness - Occupation: Photo op fiend and collector of shiny objects
- Rudy Sinclair AKA Petro-Breath - Occupation: School teacher
- Pierce Hart AKA Doctor Defect - Occupation: Pseudo physician
- Elizabeth Wright AKA Barbell Betty - Occupation: Salvage yard worker and professional body builder
- Ricardo Gherkin AKA Dick Pickle - Occupation: Fruit vendor and toenail enthusiast
- Susan Williams AKA Chocolate Sandie - Occupation: Black-market cookie pusher
- Arthur Lugen AKA Art the Carny - Occupation: Crooked carnival worker (He is seen again in MCF: Madam Fate)
- Matilda Fitzgerald AKA Tone-Deaf Tilly - Occupation: Dental assistant and aspiring jazz singer
- Ronny Tidwell AKA Big Iron Ronny - Occupation: Street performer
- 1011001 AKA Walter Gomez Jr. - Occupation: Jobless welding robot
- Abe Stinkin AKA Abe the Babe - Occupation: Hot dog vendor and amateur meat collector
- Foley Zipper AKA The Hollywood Scoop - Occupation: Ex-paparazzi and gossip columnist.
Gameplay
Like all Mystery Case Files titles, Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects relies heavily on the hidden object puzzle. Each hidden item represents a clue to determine the location of each suspect during the time in which the crime was committed. However, other challenges have been added to increase the overall challenge. Once the player has found the required hidden objects, they will travel to the Crime Computer and tackle a series of mini-games. Each mini-game will help the player to clear the name of one suspect or pinpoint them as a Prime Suspect. Fact: On the 1st January 2015 Agent called KingPig has the first time ever discovered the first Prime Suspect from Level 1 and the first time ever chose the Villainous Thief, who was before the first innocent (before this time suspects on Level 1 were always innocents).
Theme & Production Values
Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects features pre-rendered puzzles with many moving parts, as well as high quality orchestral audio and outstanding character voicing. One additional feature is game randomization. Once the player has completed Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects, they can play it again and be presented with an entirely new set of 'Prime Suspects'.
Reception
According to independent tracking site game-sales-charts.com, following its release on April 5, 2006, Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects held the #1 sales spot on its home distribution channel, Big Fish Games, and has remained in the top 20 ever since. Leading casual games industry outlets such as Gamezebo.com have featured several articles featuring extremely positive reviews of the game.