Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!
© 2009 Her Interactive, Inc.
We had a chance to play though the first level of this title; the first of a new line of "lighter" Nancy Drew adventures from Her Interactive. It comes on one disk (the other adventures commonly came on two) and is also available as a 250 MB download. We were pleased to find it to be easier to pick up and play, with tasks that are less involved and more puzzles. For example, the game uses a clue-finding technique called "pairing", where you match two items -- both shown somewhere on the same screen -- to move through the story. For example, to start a generator, you need to first fill the tank with gas, by clicking on both the fuel cap and the gas can. This bite-sized approach makes the game easier to play, and ensures success faster and earlier in the process -- important for novice players. In the story, you (Nancy) are invited to the set of the remake of the 1930s movie "Pharaoh" where there's been a series of accidents involving -- among other things -- the spooky mummy props. Your goal is to figure out what is going on. The back story operates on two levels: both in present day and in the 1930s when the movie was originally created. The better detective you are, the more points you will earn, which will lead to bonus content and, with enough points, an alternate ending to the story. Progress can be saved at any point, for later play. While this program is easier to play, there is less content (estimated to be between 3-5 hours, vs. 7-10 hours for the original game). The game features an arcade mode to extend the life. Since 1997, Her Interactive's Nancy Drew games have been providing excellent exposure to both deductive reasoning and reading. This title continues this tradition, with a bit smaller footprint.
$20, Windows
Teaches: logic, reading, deductive reasoning
CTR Rating: 90%