The notable exception to this trend in Return to Ravenhearst is its inventory puzzles. That’s right, just like any ol’ adventure game, you’ll be collecting items as you go, with upwards of ten or so objects at any given time. Sometimes items are collected from a hidden object sequence, while others you simply find by interacting with the environment. You can’t combine inventory items and object use is generally straightforward, but it adds a nice layer of personal involvement to the proceedings. Instead of a chapter-end pat on the head as the game propels you forward, here you’ll need to earn your ongoing keep through careful exploration. I could have done without one cat-and-mouse puzzle whose solution felt at least a little distasteful, but thankfully the Ravenhearst cat is the restrained type.

Inventory puzzles aren’t the only type that force you to pay close attention to your surroundings. More than a few clues are located somewhere other than where you’ll need them. It’s usually fairly obvious what’s important, and with one intentionally misleading exception, the journal will put all doubts to rest. But it’s not always so obvious what to do with them until you’ve progressed further. The game is semi-linear, preventing you from moving too far ahead too early with obstacles you can’t master, but periodically opening up new areas to explore.

Unfortunately, it’s not always clear what’s interactive and what’s not. All hidden object challenges and some hotspots glitter visibly onscreen. And some don’t. Even after finishing the game, the reason for this discrepancy is completely unclear to me, but the bottom line is that it’s an unreliable indicator. A smart cursor will change when mousing over all hotspots, however, so in that sense it’s no different than any other point-and-click adventure. Navigation is also similar to first-person slideshow games, though with generally fewer directional options at any one time. The one oddity is the “down” arrow, as instead of turning you around, it simply moves you backwards to the previous node. While often used in games for exiting out of close-ups, it’s a bizarre feeling to continually move backwards from one environment to the next. There’s no in-game map for quick transportation, which can be a little annoying, but clicking on exits instantly moves you to the next location, so it’s never too tedious to move around manually.

The scenery in Return to Ravenhearst is fairly appealing, albeit in purposely creepy ways. There are no jump-out-of-your-chair moments, but the hand painted artwork is just stylized enough to give the game a slightly surreal feel. Small touches of animation help support the unnerving atmosphere, like a spider descending from the mouth of a broken doll, or even the face of kitten appearing at a hole in the wall. Yes, dolls and kittens are chilling; laugh now, agree later. The game uses a slightly higher resolution than older hidden object games, though you’re still limited to a default that isn’t as crisp as it could be. I was a bit disappointed in some of the item placement in the hidden object sequences as well. It’s one thing for items to be deviously concealed, but I got hung up a few times on items so obscured that I’d have had trouble identifying them even looking right at them.

For the first time in the MCF series, there’s even a cinematic introduction to Return to Ravenhearst, along with the occasional FMV clip interspersed throughout the game. Fully voiced, these sequences straddle the line between spooky and hammy, but ultimately tip the scale in favour of increased immersion. You can’t help but be touched by the plight of the ethereal twin girls, even if they get a little too close to The Shining for comfort. Music also plays a big part in establishing atmosphere, as the soundtrack consists of fully orchestrated scores from the Deutsche Film Orchestra in Berlin. It’s high quality stuff, though it occasionally overdoes the dramatic effect considering the sedate pace of the gameplay

If there’s one other thing that hurts the game’s mood, it’s the tone of the player character’s observations. Attempting to use the incorrect inventory items results in really obnoxious text commentary like “Is your mouse broken”, “You are an intellectual colossus”, or “Is this fun for you, Clicky-pants?” It’s clearly meant tongue-in-cheek, but it’s not only needlessly insulting, it’s completely out of sync with the circumstances of the game. Even in a standard casual game, this smart-alecky sentiment wouldn’t have been appreciated, but here it’s just wrong on every conceivable level.

At the end of the day, which could take anywhere from six to ten hours to reach (depending on how liberally the hints option is used), it’s obvious that Return to Ravenhearst isn’t your typical adventure game. Like a modern day 7th Guest, it offers up a host of familiar puzzles with a splash of hidden object sequences that provides an engaging diversion without being too overbearing. The added exploration, expanded storyline, and improved puzzle integration, meanwhile, adds just enough light adventuring to provide a welcome depth over standard casual fare. Its limited scope and over-reliance on arbitrary challenges do limit its appeal, but for those seeking something a little different, you may just find a visit to Ravenhearst worth a closer look.