Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill (1998)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill (1998)

Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill is a mystery adventure game developed by Her Interactive and released in 1998. It is the first game in the long-running Nancy Drew video game series. The player takes on the role of Nancy Drew, an 18-year-old amateur detective, as she investigates the murder of a wealthy heiress.

The game is set in the fictional town of River Heights, where Nancy is visiting her friend Bess Marvin. Bess’s aunt, Ellie, has recently been murdered, and Bess asks Nancy to help her find the killer. Nancy quickly becomes embroiled in the investigation, and she soon discovers that Ellie was involved in a number of shady dealings.

Nancy’s investigation takes her all over River Heights, from the Marvin mansion to the local diner to the town library. She interviews suspects, collects evidence, and solves puzzles in order to piece together the truth about Ellie’s murder.

Along the way, Nancy encounters a cast of colorful characters, including:

  • Bess Marvin: Nancy’s best friend and a loyal companion.
  • George Fayne: Nancy’s other best friend and a tomboy with a knack for mechanics.
  • Ned Nickerson: Nancy’s boyfriend and a star athlete.
  • Carson Drew: Nancy’s father and a famous detective.
  • Hannah Gruen: Ellie’s housekeeper and a close friend of the family.
  • Richard Topham: Ellie’s business partner and a shady character.
  • Violet Sutton: Ellie’s best friend and a wealthy socialite.

Nancy must use all of her skills as a detective to solve the murder and bring the killer to justice. She must also be careful not to put herself in danger, as the killer is still at large.

Gameplay

Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill is a point-and-click adventure game. The player controls Nancy as she explores the game world, interacts with objects and characters, and solves puzzles. The game features a variety of puzzles, including logic puzzles, environmental puzzles, and inventory puzzles.

The player can also choose to play the game in one of two difficulty levels: Junior Detective or Master Detective. Junior Detective mode is easier, with more hints and a slower pace. Master Detective mode is more challenging, with fewer hints and a faster pace.

Reception

Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its engaging story, well-developed characters, and challenging puzzles. It was also praised for its groundbreaking use of 3D graphics and voice acting.

The game has been ported to a number of platforms, including the PC, Mac, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS. It has also been released on mobile devices.

Legacy

Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill is considered to be one of the best Nancy Drew games ever made. It has been praised for its innovative gameplay, engaging story, and well-developed characters. The game has also been credited with popularizing the mystery adventure genre.

The Nancy Drew video game series is still going strong today, with over 30 games released. The games have been translated into 15 languages and have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Conclusion

Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill is a classic mystery adventure game that still holds up today. The game has a great story, well-developed characters, and challenging puzzles. It is a must-play for fans of the Nancy Drew books or anyone who loves a good mystery.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More