Since 1930, Nancy Drew has been a positive role model inspiring mothers, daughters and grandmothers alike. She represents all those characteristics we aspire to – she’s smart, gutsy, courageous and resourceful, and she gets the job done. You, as Nancy Drew, get to travel around the world, solve mysterious cases, go on adventures, crack codes, solve complex puzzles, help people and expose the truth to bring criminals to justice.
The Nancy Drew games are daring, challenging, thrilling and fun and are set in real world locations where players can discover different cultures and history. Rich environments, compelling stories, and fun characters also add to the enjoyment of solving the mysteries single-handedly or with a group. The Nancy Drew game franchise has won over 24 consecutive Parents’ Choice Awards and has sold more games than Harry Potter, Myst and Tomb Raider. In the games, you will become Nancy Drew’s eyes and ears to solve the mystery. Assuming the role of Nancy Drew for the first time? Here are some helpful tips for your role as the famous amateur sleuth!
How to solve the mystery: Before you begin your game, we suggest grabbing a pen and paper for jotting down vital information such as passwords or codes. (In later games, you can use your in-game cell phone camera to take snapshots). Prepare yourself. Read the opening letter or Case File, or talk to your main contact at the beginning of the game to better understand what adventure you are about to embark on. An extra tip: save your game often! There are opportunities to fail in the mystery, but if you forget to save before making a fatal error, you can use the “Second Chance” feature found in every game. 
Amateur Sleuth: If you play on Junior/Amateur level you will likely have a task list with entries that can be checked off once completed.
Master Sleuth: Senior/Master level provides harder puzzles, the task list is either really basic or not available, and you get few or no hints.
Search for clues: Move your cursor (your mouse) around the environment. Snoop in different areas to collect clues. Explore and move around the environments or snoop in different areas to collect clues, which could appear as anything from a written asset (like a book) to an inventory item to take with you. Then check your inventory to study the items you have uncovered.
Question Suspects: There are animated characters and phone characters you will need to question. Seek them out and talk to them regularly by selecting the questions of your choice in the dialogue box. Choose your words wisely, because one wrong response could blow your cover!
Be sure to call your friends and the other characters from your phone. In a few games, you can use the phone to become other characters who can then help Nancy with her investigation.
Notes and Hints: Besides taking notes on your own paper, Nancy will add her own notes regarding important observations and clues to her journal. These entries can be viewed later to help solve the case.
If you play on Junior/Amateur level, you will likely have a task list that you can check off once you have completed the task. Nancy will not allow you to check off unfinished tasks, so you can see what still needs to be done.
Bess, George, Ned, the Hardy Boys and others will often be available as phone friends to provide hints that nudge you in the right direction. In later games, you can consult your “Hint Hotline” or the task list for these types of hints. In a few games, you can use the phone to become other characters who can help Nancy with her investigation.
Solve puzzles: In every game, there will be many puzzles, tasks, and challenges you must solve and accomplish to progress in your investigation. Some puzzles or games you can play more than once, but are not required, such as cell phone games in later titles. Stuck on puzzles? See the Hints section above.
Getting Help Outside of the Game: Strategy Guides for Games #6 and up are available for purchase exclusively at www.herinteractive.com, or for free when you order the game from our site! Strategy Guides offer solutions to every puzzle while walking you through the mystery (without spoiling the ending for you). Pictures and maps are included. Check out the Message Boards at www.herinteractive.com to post your questions and get hints and tips from fellow players! More Information:
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Not sure which game to start playing? Check our two Marketing Interns’stop recommendations in her video below!
Indy’s Awards:
- Best Plot: Phantom of Venice
- Hardest Puzzle: Shadows at the Waters Edge
- Easiest Puzzle: Danger on Deception Island
- Best Song: Sea of Darkness
- Creepiest Moment: Curse of Blackmoor Manor
Indy’s Favorites:
Indy’s Recommendations:
Dahlia’s Recommended games:
- Easiest Game: The Haunted Carousel
- Hardest Game: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek
- Scariest Game: Shadow at the Water’s Edge
- Best Book Adaption: The Secret of Shadow Ranch
- Best Game Soundtrack: Curse of Blackmoor Manor
Dahlia’s Personal Favorites (1 being most favorite):
1. Warnings at Waverly Academy
2. The Captive Curse
3. Shadow at the Water’s Edge
4. Curse of Blackmoor Manor
5. The Shattered Medallion
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