Mortimer Beckett and the Mystery of the Spooky Manor

So, all Ravenhearst fans, keep your ears pricked. Another hidden-object hair-raiser packed with puzzles is here.

Mortimer Beckett and the Mystery of the Spooky Manor developed by Paprikari and published by Real Arcade offers you to plunge yourself into another creepy story. You, as a title character of the game, are to help your uncle rid his manor of multiple hosts residing in the manor with your relative. Sounds pretty much like G.H.O.S.T Hunters and MCF: Ravenhearst, but offers quite an innovative approach to hidden object gameplay:

While playing Mortimer Beckett... you'll tackle at least three tasks on each stage: look for the pieces of the scattered objects, place them where they belong and find the parts of the ghost-busting engine.

It may sound a bit complicated, but here's the general task about the game. First, you're to investigate every location of the manor including cellar, ground and second floor, garden and so on. On every stage there are three tasks to do:

1. Find objects. To be more precise, you're to find pieces of each object. Every object is split into several parts scattered about the location. And you're to look for them in order to make up the whole object. By the way, it's by far more challenging than seeking the whole object, since parts are small and difficult to notice. 

Be sure not to click randomly. By doing so you will call several ghost into being. And they will be flying around the room chasing you. Thus, they will keep you from your normal object hunting. This is so irritating!

2. Sort out the misplaced objects. As you're done with putting parts to get the whole object together, you're to place the object where it belongs. So, as you have made up a hat out of numerous pieces (which was pretty challenging since you should look for the black pieces on the dark background of the abandoned and messy room, be sure to pass the hat to the hatless ghost and it will disappear. One less ghost means one less problem.

But the problems is that an object that you found in a kitchen belongs in a guest room. In such a case, you are to go to the latter room and find the right place of the object.  

3. Solve puzzles. As you're done with the misplaced items, some items remain. Use them to solve a tricky puzzle. So, the chain that hides some required piece of the object that you're seeking for, should be destroyed with help of cutting pliers. Do so and you will release another part of the hidden object.

Overall, it's not that easy to play since in most cases you'll be hunting for some metallic and steel tools(pliers, bottles, pots) on the dark backgrounds. But luckily, you are allowed to use a certain number of hints on each level.

The number of hidden objects, misplaced items and puzzles to solve for each room is displayed in a level menu.  

Aside from the amusing plot and despite its dark and sinister settings, the game is really vivid due to the fact some of the elements of the background are animated (like a fire in the chimney that you are to put out with a bucket of water), ghosts, unlocked chests etc.   

So, as you see, Mortimer Beckett and the Mystery of the Spooky Manor is an innovative hidden object puzzle with the complicated plot, and amusing graphics. I won't be sureprised to see it hitting the list of the most rated games.  

digg it! | del.icio.us