I recently started replaying the MCF series, but my journey ended with Dire Grove because it isn't compatible with newer PCs. Dire Grove was a true Adventure game that allowed the player to roam freely in search of actual clues that weren't simply slapped up on a sticky note with the code/answer as they are in current HOPAs. It has amazing Hidden Object Scenes and puzzles that are designed to make you think.
Mystery Case Files: Huntsville was the first game in the series and the first Hidden Object game to ever hit the market. Adrian Woods was the genius mastermind behind this incredible series until 2013. If you play the series in order, you can literally witness the transformation from HOG to HOPA with each subsequent game.
Adrian Woods introduced us to Rube Goldberg puzzles, Morphing Objects, those infamous Gadgets, Hidden Object Variations (silhouetted shapes- Progressive Interactive, etc.) Interactive aspects and Character Interactions, Animated Graphics, Live video, the ability to roam freely from scene to scene, the Inventory Bar with actual Tasks to perform by finding and using Inventory Items, Journals, Maps, and so much more...things that we take for granted nowadays!
Everyone deserves to have the ability to play Dire Grove because they just don't make HOPAs like these earlier Mystery Case Files games, and everyone should have the opportunity to play or replay the series from beginning to end!