Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident is a seek and find hidden object game for Wii with a backstory that involves a trip to a mysterious island to investigate the disappearance of a mysterious recluse named Malgrave.

The story itself is told through a series of text-based cutscenes, with limited narration.  It takes a bit of a leap to see how the story and the seek and find puzzles connected, but if you can suspend that disbelief, then you can have fun playing Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident.

As you point and click along static scenes to investigate objects, you’ll also be taken to scenes and search for objects like feathers, ropes, snakes that are hidden with the picture.  Some are exactly what they say they are, and others may be hidden in branches of trees or the spokes of a wheel.  Usually one of the objects you find turns out to be key for progressing the story along.

This gameplay requires players be able to read and identify the names of objects on a list, and then have precise enough control of the Wii-mote to be able to point and identify object.  There’s also a time limit on each scene. The game also feels very dark and mysterious, but there’s nothing overly scary or violent about it. With all these things added in, it makes the game mostly appropriate for older kids around 7 or 8.

The game does involve a few different multiplayer modes, from racing to be the first to find an object, to a hot potato style game in which you must make sure you’re not holding the “bomb” when it’s your turn to find the object.

Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident is a unique game that could appeal to more casual players.  It moves at a slow pace, and requires concentration and reading ability, making the game appropriate for older kids.  There is a chance for families to enjoy this together, helping each other find objects hidden in the scenes, or playing against each other in the game’s multiplayer modes.