E3 2008: Mystery Case Files Cracked

We've filed our first preview.

Today Nintendo handed us Mystery Case Files for the Nintendo DS and dared us to solve its many mysteries. We aren't detectives, but we have looked at a lot of 'Where's Waldo?' books, so we were fully prepared to tackle the case. Mystery Case Files is an established casual franchise on the PC, and it appears to be making the transition to the DS nicely.

As we say, the game plays like Where's Waldo?, requiring the player to find hidden items in elaborate still images. For example, the first case involves a wealthy millionaire, Phil T. Rich, who is kidnapped. To uncover his whereabouts, players will retrace his steps and search for clues. Luckily, we are given a helpful list of what clues are hidden in each scene. Can you find the feather boa? There it is! The horse is wearing it in the background.

The bottom screen provides a zoomed-in look at part of the overall picture, which is displayed on top. Your stylus can drag this close-up around as you hunt for clues, or you can pan and scan with the D-pad or face buttons. When you find a clue it will be removed from the scene and crossed off your list. Be quick, because there is a time limit. And don't think you can get away with rapidly tapping the stylus all over creation -- that will result in a time penalty. If you're really stuck you can always use a hint, which will cause a clue to sparkle on the top screen.

Your initial travels will take you to an underground mine and then to a school yard. Even though Mystery Case Files is presented as a detective story, these aren't logic puzzles. They're more observational, testing your abilities of perception. In between chapters, you'll also have to arrange tile puzzles. A picture is presented on the top screen that has been shuffled on the bottom. Once it's corrected, you're off to the next chapter.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir will be opened in September.

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