December 12, 2007
Mystery in London - new hidden object game
Christmas just came early to the skeet house. Someone at Big Fish Games must love me and know how much I’ve been craving a new hidden object game. The last few new releases in the genre have been disappointing, so I’m happy to announce that Mystery in London measures up to my criteria and I think that you’ll approve, too. It’s fun, it’s challenging and it’s beautifully done.
While shopping for books in London you discover a mysterious note that sets you on the trail of Jack the Ripper. You’ll collect clues to the mystery as you travel around the city seeking out hidden objects.
Your first searchable screen is darkly appropriate to the Jack the Ripper theme. Graphics are finely done with items on your search list fairly hidden amongst the clutter. I’ve played several games recently that I felt didn’t honor the spirit of fair play, in that objects were poorly defined or concealed in such a way that you couldn’t see enough of them to accurately identify what you were seeing. Mystery in London is tough and challenging, but as you find each object you’ll see that it was there in front of your eyes all along, waiting for you to fine-tune your vision and sort through the chaff to find the wheat. I respect fair play above all else in these games, so Mystery in London gets a gold star from me!
There are two methods of navigation for this game. 360 view allows you to pan and scan all around the scene, as if you were standing in the middle of the action turning, lifting your eyes upwards or casting them down. I really enjoyed this feature in earlier 360 games and am happy to see it being utilized again in Mystery in London. The feature is expanded this time, though. The static view provides a small graphic for navigating from area to area, allowing you to know that you haven’t missed any part of the scene while panning. I found myself switching back and forth between the two features. I started each scene using the 360 view, then, once I “thought” I had had a look at each area I switched to static. Both modes offer a zoom feature that allows you to focus in on areas or items that you want a better look at.
I’m compelled to praise the artwork one more time. As you can see, each item is finely drawn and detailed. The game achieves it challenging level by using clutter and our inclination to not see items we aren’t specifically focusing on, rather than by relying on poorly drawn objects and obscured items as we’ve seen in some other games. I thoroughly enjoyed my free hour of play and immediately purchased Mystery in London so I can continue through to the end of the game. I already know that this is one I’ll play again and again.
If the game link in my first paragraph didn’t work for you, there’s a reason for that. (Edit: It will work now!) Mystery in London is an exclusive release to Big Fish Game Club members for now. Membership allows early access to new games and provides a substantial discount on all purchases, so it’s a worthy investment for games fans, whatever genre you favor. Oh - and just in case you’re wondering: this isn’t a sponsored post. I like Big Fish and love hidden object games - that’s all! This and previous posts about hidden object games reflect my passions - none of them are sponsored. 
[tags]Big Fish Games, games, hidden object games, Mystery in London[/tags]
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December 12th, 2007 at 5:03 pm, valmg Says:
I beat The Scruffs recently and was going to have to find a new hidden object game. I haven’t liked the last few I’ve tried enough to buy them so I’m glad to hear you’re recommending this one.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm, skeet Says:
I’ve only bought a few of the games myself, Val, because I’m not going to spend money on any game that I will finish once and then never pay again. Mystery of London is challenging and well-done - I definitely will get many hours of enjoyment from it!
December 26th, 2007 at 12:23 pm, Mandi Says:
This was a great review! Thank you for taking the time to write out such a comprehensive description. This is a game I am really going to have to check out.
December 26th, 2007 at 1:29 pm, skeet Says:
Mahalo for visiting my blog, Mandi! I hope you’ve had time to play Mystery in London. If you click on “games” in the drop-down category box in my left sidebar you’ll be taken to reviews of a whole mess of hidden object games. Be forewarned - they’re addictive!
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:13 am, Lorraine Says:
Hi, I recently bought the Mystery in London game from Big Fish. Can you tell me how to get the word list to appear. I have tried to click on everything, but it won’t appear. Can you help me? Please e mail me back. Thanks
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 am, Lorraine Says:
Sorry Skeet, after several apptempts at restarting the game–I finally got the word list. Thanks anyway-Lorraine
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm, skeet Says:
Aloha Lorraine! Sorry I didn’t get back to you quickly enough to be helpful. Not that I knew how to solve the problem, but I could have patted you on the back and empathized.
I reviewed quite a few hidden object games in the last few months. You can click on “games” in the drop-down category menu on my left sidebar and see the others. Hope there will be some more new ones soon. Not that I don’t have plenty to play, but new is good!
Stop by an visit anytime! Happy to have you!
January 6th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, elizabeth moore Says:
I downloaded Mystery in London when it first came out. When I went to play it said my time had expired? I’ve been hoping for a note saying there was a problem and I could now play?? This has not been the case and I would really like to try out the game! Please help?? Thank you, a BIG FISH FAN
January 6th, 2008 at 9:23 pm, skeet Says:
You should have gotten sixty minutes of free play before getting that message, Elizabeth. Try the hints on the Big Fish help page. If that doesn’t fix you up there’s a contact button on the same page. Good luck1
January 8th, 2008 at 1:48 pm, Nancy Says:
I love this game and finished it. I tried to reload and play again but it keeps bringing me to the end screen. I uninstalled but get the same thing. I’d like to play again but not sure what’s happening.
Thanks..Nancy
January 8th, 2008 at 6:29 pm, skeet Says:
It’s a fun game and well worth playing again and again, isn’t it Nanacy? Did you purchase the full game or were you playing the free download? If you purchased it from Big Fish, use their contact button and they should be able to help you. If you were playing the free version, that’s the way it works - after an hour you get shut out.
If you click on “games” in the drop-down categories in my left sidebar you’ll find a lot of other posts I’ve written about hidden object games. Maybe you can find another there that you’ll enjoy playing.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:04 pm, Lorraine Says:
Hi Skeet,
I am having a good time playing Mystery in London, Agatha Christie’s Mystery at End House, and The Hidden Tombs. Did you try Ravenhurst yet? If you do and you solve the last big puzzle in the basement- let us know.
Regards, Lorraine from Pa.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:13 pm, skeet Says:
Aloha Lorraine. I’ve played Ravenhearst, but it’s been a while. I didn’t buy it, so I can’t access it again. Hmmmm! I have game credits so maybe I’ll do that. If I have time this weekend I’ll try to play it again so I can remember how it ends. Did you know there’s a strategy guide for it?
January 30th, 2008 at 10:19 am, Lorraine Says:
Skeet, Thanks for your tip on the stratgy guide. I clicked on forum and one of the ladies explained the trick of the last puzzle.
That was the shape of each key when unhooked gave a letter and the letters spelled a word. It worked like a charm.
Thanks again, Lorraine
January 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am, skeet Says:
I’m so glad you worked it out, Lorraine. I got busy over the weekend and neglected you, so I hope you’ll forgive me and come back to visit soon.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:45 pm, Pat Hood Says:
My system meets requirements but I can’t get past the “Mysterious Book” early in the game. I click on it and nothing happens. I ask for a hint and it “twinkles” - it twinkles every time till I have run out of hints. When I do click on hint (the book is pulsating) I am told that my hint counter will not change because I have not yet clicked on the collectable item. There are no other items to locate.
I have set up a new profile and that didn’t fix it. Think it stopped working at a different location, however.
Any good news? I like the game!