“It’s up to you as Nancy Drew” Whispers the voice of the titular sleuth in each and every one of Her Interactive’s promotional videos since the series began back in 1998. I was first introduced to the series by my childhood best friend and as a result some of my fondest memories are of the two of us passing the mouse back and forth as we worked through Nancy’s latest mystery. Over time my life became more hectic and as my interests changed I slowly became less interested in Nancy’s adventures and eventually stopped playing all together.
That was until about four years ago. For reasons I no longer remember I had traveled to the States with my then boyfriend for a cross border shopping trip. In one of those karmic fate like moments while wondering through another endless aisle of electronics I didn’t care for I spotted the bright purple packaging of Her Interactive’s Nancy Drew: Tomb of the Lost Queen. I decided to buy the game on a whim as a kind of last ditch effort to make what had turned out to be a lousy trip somewhat worthwhile.
I wouldn’t get around to actually popping the game in and sitting down to play it until a week later. But when I did I found something remarkable. In the years that had elapsed since I had last played I had forgotten how much fun the games were and was immensely impressed by both the newly enhanced graphics and engaging game play. Picking up this one game reignited something within me and set me on a path to becoming a lifelong gamer. I say this all with a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. My childhood friend and I are no longer close and that boyfriend from years’ past and I no longer see each other. It’s funny sometimes the things that remain with us from childhood and the things that don’t. So, without further ado, here are The Top Five Nancy Drew Games by Her Interactive.
1.Secrets Can Kill
The game that started it all! Released in December of 1998 Secrets Can Kill introduced the world to Nancy Drew in a whole new way. If you grew up in the nineties like I did it was probably your first introduction to the series. As a game from a less sophisticated era of game design it had its draw backs. You had to keep changing CD-ROM discs as you advanced through the game, game play was clunky, and the characters two dimensional (literally and metaphorically). As graphics and game development capabilities improved over time the game was Rereleased and Remastered in August of 2010. According to the Her Interactive website this new version features updated graphics, new puzzles, and a new ending! If you’re looking to get into the groove and go under cover as Nancy Drew this is the game for you.
2.Tomb of the Lost Queen
The game that got me loving the series again! Released in May of 2012 Tomb of the Lost Queen finds Nancy joining a team of archaeologists in present day Cairo, Egypt. The team is following the trail of an ancient discovery. Sixty years ago a violent sandstorm uncovered an ancient desert tomb just outside of Cairo. A British expedition set off in hope of finding one of Egypt’s legendary Lost Queens. But the expedition never returned, the explorers were lost, and presumed dead. Now it looks like the curse of the Lost Queen has struck again. The excitement and anticipation surrounding a university dig site where leading Egyptologists have reportedly unearthed what is presumed to be the tomb where the lost British explorers met their fates has turned sour. Suspicious accidents have left the group isolated and leaderless and it’s up to Nancy to translate, decipher, and reassemble the facts in order to uncover the truth.
3.Treasure in the Royal Tower
One of my all time favourites! Treasure in the Royal Tower has all the makings of a great mystery adventure! Released in August of 2001 the game finds Nancy snowed in at Wickford Castle Ski Resort in Wisconsin, U.S.A. Within hours of her arrival the castle’s historic library is vandalized and one of its most prominent guests is robbed. Built by an eccentric billionaire, legend has it that the original owner had Marie Antoinette’s tower from the Château Rochemont in France taken apart and rebuilt into part of Wickford Castle. Will you be able to find the tower and its treasure in time? Or will someone else get there first? Snoop for clues as you help with housekeeping duties, delve deep into French Revolutionary history, and hit the slopes.
4. Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake
Another of my all time favourites this game holds a special place in my heart for being both irresistibly creepy, enticingly cute, and teaching me Roman Numerals before I ever needed to know them. Who says great games can’t be educational? Released in November of 2002 Ghosts of Moon Lake sees Nancy helping out one of her father’s old friends, a common thread through much of the series, who recently purchased a lakeside cabin that once belonged to a notorious gangster. The lakeside cabin is the former residence of Prohibition era gangster Mickey Malone and is currently being terrorized by Malone’s loyal Rottweilers who have come back from the grave to protect their former homestead. Delve into the history of the roaring twenties, explore abandoned speakeasies, and search for buried gold as you work to uncover the truth.
5.Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon
Three Times the Sleuths! Three Times the Fun! Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys all in one place! After all of that gruelling crime solving it’s time for a nice quaint vacation through the Western Mountains. That’s why Frank and Joe have invited you along for a relaxing train trip to forget all your troubles. Psych! You may be on a train and Franke and Joe may have invited you along but it’s no vacation. When your long time pals receive an invitation to a murder mystery party centered around a hundred year old case aboard a recently restored train owned by a wealthy young socialite they invite you along and the case takes off. Released in September of 2005 Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon marks the first in game appearance of the Hardy Boys! While Frank and Joe were referenced by Nancy during previous cases and were callable characters as far back as her adventures during in the Secret of the Scarlet Hand this is the first time we get the chance to interact with our fellow mystery solvers face to face.
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