Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove
Encyclopedia
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove is an adventure-puzzle casual game
developed by Big Fish Studios, and distributed by Big Fish Games
. It is the sixth 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.
. You are driving through a decrepit town called Dire Grove, which appears to be deserted. The weather forecast has predicted a heavy snowstorm and you have no other option but to explore the deserted town for shelter. You see an abandoned car and find a camcorder in it. The footage shows a teenaged girl crying and pleading you to save them. You also find a cryptic note: She is real. The legend is real..
As you explore the surrounding, you realize that all the villagers have evacuated due to the snowstorm, so you have to do everything by yourself. You learn that the girl in the footage is Alison Sterling, a collegiate who has chosen the Celtic legend of the Banshee
as a subject for research. She arrived here with 3 friends and all four of them are missing. You also learn that Dr. Patricia Anderson, an archaeologist had unearthed some relics only some days ago.
You eventually learn about the legend of the Banshee. Apparently a farmer, a fisherman, a hunter and a blacksmith performed a ritual 1000 years ago to open a portal to talk to their kin in the spirit world. When the dead started attacking the living, they offered a young woman to appease the ghosts and close the portal. This woman became the Banshee and is trying to come back. You also find that all the students have been subdued and hypnotized by the Banshee. Dr. Anderson's recording proves that the relics unearthed by her are maybe the keys to the portal.
You are left with only one option: open the portal and send the Banshee back to the spirit world. Only after opening the portal you realized that the Banshee has tricked you into freeing her spirit. You race against time, trap the Banshee's spirit again and save the students. In the end, Alison gives a lecture about the events at Dire Grove, where she is given by a big applause by a huge number of audience, including her friends. An audience member asks her about your identity, but she says: "That person has asked to remain nameless, but I can give you their business card."
She flashes a card, and a Mystery Case Files logo is seen and the credits start rolling.
had posted a sizzle reel of Dire Grove on the main page of their website on November 10, 2009. This led to a lot of speculation a few days later and many users posted comments on a Big Fish Games
Dire Grove forum. On November 17, 2009, Mystery Case Files revamped their website to promote the upcoming release. Release dates, deeper plot details and more screenshots were released the same day. Also an official trailer was posted to help promote the standard edition as well as the Collector's Edition.
where their footage was shot. Whilst Collector's Editions are common amongst "core" PC games, Dire Grove is the first such example amongst casual games.
"Well, hello again detective, nice of you to drop by. I would have stuck around for a chat but the weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Feel free to make yourself at home, but I wouldn't dally if I were you. The man with the icky bird has been very busy in the dark. There is something he would like to show you. Clicky, clicky detective. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."
Casual game
A casual game is a video game targeted at or used by a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules and lack of commitment required in contrast to more complex hardcore games...
developed by Big Fish Studios, and distributed by Big Fish Games
Big Fish Games
Big Fish Games is a provider of Internet media delivery software and game services based in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded in 2002 by Paul Thelen , and currently employs more than 400 people...
. It is the sixth installment in the Mystery Case Files
Mystery Case Files
Mystery Case Files is a series developed by the internal studios of Big Fish Games. The Mystery Case Files series is known for its ‘Hidden Object’ puzzles where, in order to progress through a game, the player must find a certain number of items hidden somewhere on a painted scene.There have been...
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.
Story
This story takes place directly after the events in Mystery Case Files: Return to RavenhearstMystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst
Mystery Case Files: Return To Ravenhearst is an adventure-puzzle casual game developed by Big Fish Studios, and distributed by Big Fish Games. It is the fifth installment in the Mystery Case Files series. The game is available exclusively at Big Fish Games website...
. You are driving through a decrepit town called Dire Grove, which appears to be deserted. The weather forecast has predicted a heavy snowstorm and you have no other option but to explore the deserted town for shelter. You see an abandoned car and find a camcorder in it. The footage shows a teenaged girl crying and pleading you to save them. You also find a cryptic note: She is real. The legend is real..
As you explore the surrounding, you realize that all the villagers have evacuated due to the snowstorm, so you have to do everything by yourself. You learn that the girl in the footage is Alison Sterling, a collegiate who has chosen the Celtic legend of the Banshee
Banshee
The banshee , from the Irish bean sí is a feminine spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld....
as a subject for research. She arrived here with 3 friends and all four of them are missing. You also learn that Dr. Patricia Anderson, an archaeologist had unearthed some relics only some days ago.
You eventually learn about the legend of the Banshee. Apparently a farmer, a fisherman, a hunter and a blacksmith performed a ritual 1000 years ago to open a portal to talk to their kin in the spirit world. When the dead started attacking the living, they offered a young woman to appease the ghosts and close the portal. This woman became the Banshee and is trying to come back. You also find that all the students have been subdued and hypnotized by the Banshee. Dr. Anderson's recording proves that the relics unearthed by her are maybe the keys to the portal.
You are left with only one option: open the portal and send the Banshee back to the spirit world. Only after opening the portal you realized that the Banshee has tricked you into freeing her spirit. You race against time, trap the Banshee's spirit again and save the students. In the end, Alison gives a lecture about the events at Dire Grove, where she is given by a big applause by a huge number of audience, including her friends. An audience member asks her about your identity, but she says: "That person has asked to remain nameless, but I can give you their business card."
She flashes a card, and a Mystery Case Files logo is seen and the credits start rolling.
Cast
- Davie-Blue as Alison Sterling
- Banks Boutté as Jack
- Lauren Dobbins Webb as Susan O'Reilly
- Justin Kay as Matthew Ryan
Promotion
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove was announced October 30, 2009 by Big Fish Games on their blog with slim details and an additional screenshot from the game. Mystery Case FilesMystery Case Files
Mystery Case Files is a series developed by the internal studios of Big Fish Games. The Mystery Case Files series is known for its ‘Hidden Object’ puzzles where, in order to progress through a game, the player must find a certain number of items hidden somewhere on a painted scene.There have been...
had posted a sizzle reel of Dire Grove on the main page of their website on November 10, 2009. This led to a lot of speculation a few days later and many users posted comments on a Big Fish Games
Big Fish Games
Big Fish Games is a provider of Internet media delivery software and game services based in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded in 2002 by Paul Thelen , and currently employs more than 400 people...
Dire Grove forum. On November 17, 2009, Mystery Case Files revamped their website to promote the upcoming release. Release dates, deeper plot details and more screenshots were released the same day. Also an official trailer was posted to help promote the standard edition as well as the Collector's Edition.
Collector's Edition
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove was released on December 11, 2009, however a "Collector's Edition" was launched on November 25, 2009 exclusively for Big Fish Game Club members. The Collector's Edition includes additional gameplay, levels and achievements; an integrated strategy guide; and behind the scenes artwork and videos, with the latter being a series of videos chronicling the live-action cast's visit to rural ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
where their footage was shot. Whilst Collector's Editions are common amongst "core" PC games, Dire Grove is the first such example amongst casual games.
Bonus Gameplay
In the Collector's Edition of Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, there is bonus gameplay and at the end of the game. The player has to use a certain phone number, one that you calculate from the credits, and dial it on the telephone and a message is spoken:"Well, hello again detective, nice of you to drop by. I would have stuck around for a chat but the weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Feel free to make yourself at home, but I wouldn't dally if I were you. The man with the icky bird has been very busy in the dark. There is something he would like to show you. Clicky, clicky detective. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."