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> Results: Nancy Drew and the Haunted Carousel
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Nancy's New Adventure!Savvy sleuths enjoy the latest of the Nancy Drew mysteries more, since HER Interactive added some interesting changes that keep the game moving. Paula Santos owns an amusement park. It seems that a ghostly presence haunts the park. The carousel turns itself on in the middle of the night, and when she watches the video of the security camera, there is no one to be seen. Then the roller coaster stops during the ride, and frightens away the visitors. Next one of the carved wooden horses, the lead horse, is stolen from the carousel. Paula has a problem. So, of course, she calls Nancy Drew. Nancy once again takes the case and ventures into the Captains Cove Amusement Park to search for the mystery behind the merry-go-round. She encounters a selection of interesting folks, some of whom may even be fugitives! It takes an interesting mystery to keep super sleuths from boring, and the Nancy Drew series is successful for setting their lead character in the most amazing and exciting, but somehow realistic situation. Dialogue is vital to the plotline in the books and the game keeps true to legendary Nancy Drew, so characters are central to the story. Nancy first meets Harlan, who is the security guard for the park, but she cannot decide if he is friend or foe. Harlan sends her to meet Joy, who he refers to as Joyless. Joys father once owned half of the park as a partner with Paula Santos, but sold it to pay off his debts. Ingrid is the parks engineer, and it is her responsibility to keep the rides in good mechanical condition, so Nancy thinks she may know something more then she lets on. Then, there is Elliot, reclusive artist and designer. He is behind on his work and wishes to be left alone.  For number 8 in the series, HER has added some interesting changes to their typical game plan. This time our favorite red-haired heroine turns out to be a tech geek, too. Nancy hasnt totally forsaken her notepad, but she certainly upgraded her hint system by adding a new laptop and cell phone. By checking her email regularly, and calling people she needs to keep in touch with, Nancy stays focused on the case. It is apparent by looking at the games on Nancyﾒs computer that she uses the system only for her email, where she can pick up hints. She also has a new cell phone, with all of her friends on speed dial. Nancy can scroll through numbers of friends and colleagues. Similar to the speed and convenience of a cell phone, but the game thoughtfully adds a persons number to her list whenever she finds one. How handy! A Nancy Drew game SHOULD last a while, like a good book. And frankly, I donﾒt think that I would be at all pleased with a book that I paid $20 for and read in an hour. In fact, if I am at all upset about the way this game was created, it is that it was almost too short. Some of the die-hard mystery sorts will inevitably be bored by the time they get to number 9, because the puzzles have become too easy. I think the real question about this series is whether HER can pull it off again with their next release. Maybe they should consider adding a third level of play, and give the more advanced players something to do. Creating new and different games within the same genre and character line is quite a challenge. Of course, some part in a series is always better than others, like Spy Kids, Jurassic Park, or Star Wars. (Could this start a heated debate at a sci-fi convention?) Usually we get the best at the beginning, and the rest is built on the success of one good idea. Ex: Land Before Time, what, 16? Who cares whether they are well done at this point? We were well done by number three due to the loss of depth that came with its repetition. The problem with repeating Nancy titles, is adjusting the difficulty level to fit those detectives who are trying to solve the mystery. It wouldnﾒt be any good if it were too easy, but again, doesnﾒt flow like a good game should unless it is just easy enough. No problems like that here, these games are true to the stories and the lead character, and we have yet to play one that wasnﾒt worth its cost. Kid Factor As a $20 find, of course our flame-tressed friend takes the cake. Nancy is always a good way to spend the evening hours with a little girl who loves to solve a mystery.  Ages: 6+ Producer/Developer: HER Interactive Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Nancy Drew and the Haunted Carousel |
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