Ranking My Top 7 Nancy Drew Games by Her Interactive
Hello Everyone!
I know I’ve been talking a lot about video games, and I cannot stop singing praises for all my cosy games and life simulations. Well, what if I told you that those aren’t just the only games I play. I have and always will play another type: the click and point puzzle games. However, these aren’t just any ordinary click and point puzzle games. These are Nancy Drew puzzle games, developed by Her Interactive.
I have played these games ever since I can remember. My mom introduced my sister and I to these absolute bangers! Whenever we both had the free time (like at Christmas), we would break out these games, just to relive our childhood, because yes, we played them as children. You could argue that these games aren’t suitable, after all there are quite a few jump scares (considering the animation, style and overall janky-ness to the games – they were built on old systems so the graphics aren’t as smooth as any of the newer games), however, we loved our cosy mystery (we take after our mom in that regard), so obviously we wanted to figure out the puzzles and find out who committed the crime.
What Are You Even Talking About?
Ok, before I get into ranking my favourite games, if you don’t already know, Nancy Drew is actually a fictional detective, written by the author Carolyn Keene (actually, that’s just a pen name, the original name of the author was Mildred Wirt Benson), all the way back in the 1930s, with the first book titled “Nancy Drew: The Secret Of The Old Clock”. Again, my mom got me reading these stories, when I was younger, obviously when I was old enough, but these books were amazing. It really advocated for feminism, since many of the hard-hitting detective stories were almost exclusively male centred stories (think Sherlock, or Poirot).
You never really heard of female detectives in those days, and although I read them in the early 2000s, and you did see more female detectives, you didn’t see any teenage female detectives, and that really inspired me when I was younger. I just wanted to solve puzzles and do all the kinds of things Nancy did, when I was old enough. Of course, life never really goes that way, and you can’t just stumble upon a crime in real life, like that.
However, my curiosity never really went away, and I kept reading Nancy Drew’s stories to keep that inspiration alive. Although, later, those books would soon become video games, because one day, when I was about 12, my mom brought home one of the early games of the series, from the library (yes, they rented video games at the time), and needless to say, my mom, my sister and I were all hooked. Later, she bought all the games she could, because we all just wanted to play them, and my sister and I constantly did, especially after school and during the holiday season.
So, now you know the background, let me tell you that there are several games in the Nancy Drew series, and there are so many different mysteries to solve, from a decades old murder to a high stakes diamond robbery. You’ll never be bored; I promise you that. Not to mention, the puzzles are difficult enough that once you leave the game, and do something else, it’s rather challenging to remember the combination of steps you needed to make, to finish the game. Now I say this, because there are some games that are more memorable than others, and for me, these are my top 7.
1. The Curse Of Blackmoor Manor
We’re starting off strong with this one. This game was one of the scariest for a child. In fact, even as an adult, I can’t stop getting jumped by Emily, the tutor. If you want a spooky game to play for Halloween, choose this one. It’s innocent enough, but you’d be surprised by how creepy some of it is. The game follows Nancy as she travels to the English countryside, to help an old family friend figure out what is happening at her home. She believes it’s haunted, but Nancy is being sent there to see if there’s a more logical explanation. It’s got superstitions, it’s got mentions of vampires and werewolves, and even ghosts. Trust me, it’s definitely a Halloween must!
2. Treasure in the Royal Tower
This one seriously reminds me of Christmas, especially because it’s set in a castle, surrounded by snow (anyone else think of Hogwarts? No? Just me?). The story of the game is that Nancy travelled to Wickford Castle (a fictional place), for a ski trip. However, as she’s snowed in, a mystery starts to unravel itself before her. Someone is trying to get to the priceless secret that Marie Antoinette hid in the castle, while she was still alive. Obviously, the story itself is preposterous, especially since the castle doesn’t actually exist in real life, but who doesn’t want to be snowed in at an ancient castle, with secret passageways, puzzles and mysteries to solve? I loved this one, because it’s so cosy, and it’s great to play during the winter break!
3. The White Wolf Of Icicle Creek
One of the things I love about this game is that you get to play chef, for the lodge you’re staying at, and because I am a fan of chef and bakery games, I can’t resist playing these food games, even if it’s in a limited setting. Of course, the other puzzles are fun too, like trying to snowball a kid, to get a pack of hand warmers for the longer treks you’ll need to make (I’m not kidding, she challenges you to snow her in her snow castle). In this game, Nancy is brought to the lodge, to figure out why there have been so many accidents, and who or what is causing them. The staff all believe that a white wolf that hangs out nearby is the cause, but as Nancy, you can’t be too sure.
4. The Phantom Of Venice
I was once obsessed with the musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, and when I saw the title "The Phantom of Venice", I couldn't help but make the connection, of course, even without it, I was already hooked, and the game didn’t disappoint. Of course, it’s not about a masked man who terrorises an opera house. Instead, it’s about a thief who is stealing priceless artefacts from Italy, and Nancy is apparently someone the police can rely on to figure out who is stealing these artefacts. I love this game, partly because I’ve been to Venice before, and the game is pretty accurate with its map, and partly because it’s just romantic (literally, one of the NPCs flirts with Nancy, although she tells him she has a boyfriend and is happy with him). Not only that, you also need to earn money if you want to progress in the game, and who doesn’t want to earn money in a game?
5. The Haunting of Castle Malloy
This is another spooky one for the books. The Haunting of Castle Malloy takes Nancy to Ireland, for a friend’s wedding, or supposedly. While she’s there, the groom disappears and talks about a banshee kidnapping him is everywhere. Nancy has to discover what actually happened, before her friend calls the wedding off, and believes the rumours that her wedding is cursed. The game really does have a spooky vibe to it, but it’s also very beautiful, as it draws on old Celtic legends and folklore that permeates every aspect of the game. You really do believe that you’re in a magical and medieval Ireland, when you play. Although, be warned, the banshee does give you a couple of jump scares, because she’s that creepy.
6. Shadow at the Water’s Edge
I have to include this one on the list. Not only because it’s so good, but it’s also set in Asia! And anything that represents my culture, I will always try to highlight. Now this game is set in Japan (not The Philippines), and it follows Nancy as she stays at a Ryokan, for a little vacation, but obviously, things don’t go smoothly. The Ryokan is said to be haunted, and it’s scaring the guests away. Obviously, this one’s another Halloween special, because of the whole paranormal aspect of the game. However, unlike most of the other games that are set in the 20th Century, this one is set in modern-day Tokyo, and you can see the nod to all the futuristic aspects of the city and its colourful lights and kitsch items.
7. Message in a Haunted Mansion
This was the very first game I remember playing, and this was what got me hooked on the Nancy Drew games. So, of course, I’m going to include it in this list. The story of the game follows Nancy as she’s invited to a mansion, by a close friend, to help with renovations, to turn the place into an inn. Unfortunately, spirits are supposedly sabotaging the renovations, apparently unwilling to share the space with strangers. Of course, as with everything, Nancy is a practical woman, and surely something else is causing all these accidents. What I love about this game is the fact that there are secrets, puzzles, riddles and hidden compartments that spark the imagination. Yes, they’re all made for the game, but it’s what made me fall in love with old properties. You never know what could be hiding under wallpaper, or in skirting boards, or even in old dresser drawers.
Start Sleuthing And Figure Out Whodunnit With Nancy Drew!
All this talk about puzzles and mysteries is making me want to play the games again! I think I’ll go in order of their release this time, starting with Secrets Can Kill (another great game, but not one of my top 7, unfortunately). Anyway, if you're someone who's into mysteries and puzzle solving, then give these games a go. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Well, that’s it from me today, I’m going to go and play some Nancy Drew now, thanks to this trip down memory lane. While I go do that, please don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, share and follow me, here on Feather’s Charm, on my YouTube channel, on my other social media channels (Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok), and on Patreon. Your support really does help me make more content like this, for you guys.
And as always, be kind, be creative, and be unique.
I’ll see you later!
Feather, out!
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