Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate is a hidden object adventure game developed by Big Fish Studios and distributed by Big Fish Games. It is the fourth installment in the Mystery Case Files series.
Story[]
The Master Detective meets Madame Fate, a mysterious fortune teller who has foreseen her own demise at the stroke of midnight. The detective must investigate each carnival worker to determine their whereabouts when the clock strikes twelve. Following each investigation, the detective becomes convinced that all of the workers are innocent. Madame Fate then reveals that the detective plays a part in her demise; her killer has followed the detective to their current location.
After the detective solves the last puzzle, she hears Madame Fate scream and discovers her dead. Her killer is revealed to be a black ghost, presumed to be Charles Dalimar, infuriated that the detective had deprived him of his first love. The detective phones the Queen of England, revealing that Charles' soul was freed when she freed Emma Ravenhearst. The Queen advises she return to Ravenhearst Manor. As the detective finishes her conversation, she is suddenly attacked by the black ghost.
Gameplay[]
In Madame Fate, you need to look for a certain number of objects in each scene. There are multiple locations the player searches in each chapter. To unlock a location where a carnival worker is at you must first solve a puzzle. In a location where a carny is the player must find dozens of two types of objects. Many other puzzle types have been included to enhance gameplay. These include object puzzles and word scramble puzzles necessary to gain further information and to access to the carnival workers. It is the Mystery Case Files game that introduced Morphing Objects, there is one Morphing Object per location and after finding a certain amount new locations will open.
Carnival Workers and Deaths[]
This section lists the carnival workers and how they are foreseen to die by Madame Fate.
- The Amazing Larry - Magician (He sawed himself in half.)
- Lucy the Bearded Beauty - Bearded Lady (She cuts her throat while shaving.)
- Marlena the Mermaid - Wife of Dante Camelo (She was caught in a net.)
- Art the Carny - Ride Operator (He smokes over 40 cigarettes at once.)
- (Note: He makes an appearance as Arthur Lugen in MCF: Prime Suspects)
- Twyla Twangle - Contortionist (She drowns in a locked container she squeezed in and forgot the key.)
- Bianca - Daredevil Diva (She was blown up by a cannon.)
- Fabiano the World's Strongest Man - Strongman who was having an affair with Marlena (A weight falls on his neck.)
- Lance Pierceman - Sword Swallower (He swallows a real sword instead of a fake.)
- Armando Lucifonti - Ringmaster (He was poisoned.)
- Tabitha - Lion Tamer (She was eaten by a lion.)
- Franco the Excessive - Fat Man (He eats a horse.)
- Dr. Goodwell - Medicine Man (He was strangled by a snake.)
- Puddles - Clown (Death by gunshot)
- Dante Camelo - Tattooed Man (He was hung by his tongue)
- Mao & Amber Tan - Acrobats (They fell off of the highwire without a net.)
Reception[]
According to independent tracking site game-sales-charts.com, following its release on November 8th, 2007, Madame Fate held the #1 sales spot on its home distribution channel, Big Fish Games, and remained there for 170 days.
Leading casual games industry outlets such as Gamezebo.com have featured several articles featuring extremely positive reviews of the game.
Trivia[]
- Art the Carny is originally from Prime Suspects, but also got his alternative version in this game if he is a Prime Suspect, but not the Villainous Thief.
- Twyla Twangle, Armando Lucifonti, and Mao and Amber Tan do not have character hidden object scenes of themselves in the game.
- Franco the Excessive is Madame Fate's eldest son and the only known relation of Madame Fate.
- There are numerous references to the next game's Ravenhearst setting within the game.
- The spirit of Charles Dalimar can be seen on the last page of the help section above the MCF badge.
- A raven can be spotted in the upper right corner of the Lion Tamer's Crystal Ball Puzzle.
- Emma Ravenhearst's signature is hidden in the Entrance-Ticket Booth hidden object scene.
