Nancy Drew: Danger by Design

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 263 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • grinding
Nancy Drew: Danger by Design Game Cover
Platform Tested: PC Genre: Role Player Game (RPG) Rating: E (Mild Violence) Nancy Drew is sent to Paris on an undercover assignment to investigate the actions of Minette, an eccentric fashion designer who has been wearing a mask for months and behaving erratically. Along the way, she learns quite
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In "Nancy Drew: Danger by Design," players assume the role of detective Nancy Drew as she investigates strange behavior from famous fashion designer Minette in Paris. Explore the city, interrogate suspects, and solve puzzles related to fashion, photography, and more to uncover the truth. With the 'Second Chance' feature, players can correct mistakes along the way for a more enjoyable experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 263 reviews
story34 positive mentions
grinding16 negative mentions
  • The Parisian setting is beautifully depicted, immersing players in the fashion world and providing a variety of locations to explore.
  • The game features a cast of interesting characters, with memorable personalities that add humor and depth to the experience.
  • Many puzzles are enjoyable and challenging, providing a satisfying gameplay experience, especially for fans of the Nancy Drew series.
  • The plot is convoluted and lacks cohesiveness, with many loose ends and a weak resolution that leaves players unsatisfied.
  • Some puzzles are tedious and frustrating, requiring unnecessary busywork that detracts from the overall mystery-solving experience.
  • The game is plagued by bugs and technical issues, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to a frustrating experience for players.
  • story114 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it intriguing and atmospheric, particularly appreciating the setting in Paris and the character of Noisette. However, many reviewers criticize the plot for being convoluted, lacking cohesiveness, and featuring numerous plot holes, leading to an unsatisfying and anticlimactic ending. Overall, while the story has its moments of fun and creativity, it often feels disjointed and underdeveloped compared to previous entries in the series.

    • “Beautiful backgrounds, an intriguing story, and enjoyable, challenging puzzles make it an excellent game for players who want to explore an atmospheric mystery set in Paris.”
    • “The characters are interesting and the story is a good one.”
    • “I really liked the overall story.”
    • “The story really makes no sense at all.”
    • “On the other hand, the story is convoluted and without spoiling, you spend a majority of your time doing something other than solving the mystery at hand.”
    • “The game has good puzzles, solid characters, a great setting, and some genuinely funny moments, but there is plenty of padding, the plot is a disjointed mess, and there are some genuinely annoying and tedious sections throughout.”
  • humor26 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky characters, amusing accents, and bizarre scenarios that often elicit genuine laughter, particularly during the climax and unique sequences like Minette's over-the-top tantrum. While some moments are frustrating or tedious, the overall comedic elements, including funny plotlines and unexpected twists, contribute to an enjoyable experience despite a disjointed narrative. Players appreciate the blend of humor with the game's quirky charm, even if certain sections can be annoying.

    • “The climax and 'final boss' are one of the most hilariously bizarre I have ever seen in a video game.”
    • “Never heard anything like it, it's just so crazy and over-dramatized (she nearly took Nancy's head off with a flower pot at one point, lol, which she was aiming at Heather, her assistant, and you can still hear her going off like a nut behind the door when Heather comes out to explain to Nancy about what was going on), it was hilarious, and had me in tears!”
    • “I will say one thing, though: that temper tantrum that Minette has at the very start of the game, as soon as Nancy arrives there, is funny!!”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspects of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in tasks like puzzles, money-making mini-games, and certain story elements. While some moments are enjoyable and humorous, the padding and frustrating sections detract from the overall experience, leading to a disjointed and unsatisfying conclusion.

    • “The whole painting thing was a tedious chore.”
    • “Helping Dieter develop photos in his dark room was particularly tedious and irritating.”
    • “The game has good puzzles, solid characters, a great setting, and some genuinely funny moments, but there is plenty of padding, the plot is a disjointed mess, and there are some genuinely annoying and tedious sections throughout.”
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics are generally considered outdated, reflecting the game's age, but they still manage to convey charm and atmosphere in key scenes. While not on par with modern standards, many players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and find them acceptable given the engaging story and puzzles. Overall, the graphics may not impress by today's benchmarks, but they do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

    • “It's not a particularly scary game but the graphics in some scenes (the windmill, the park, the catacombs, etc.) really make the game!”
    • “There's some interesting World War facts you learn about, and the graphics are quite alright; it's just missing the mystery.”
    • “The graphics are very outdated, of course, but the story and puzzles are still great.”
    • “Not as new as other ND games, so the graphics and interface are outdated in comparison (not necessarily a con).”
    • “The graphics hold up too - obviously they're not state of the art by today's standards but don't hold back out of fear that they'll hurt your eyes.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay is generally engaging, with puzzles that are enjoyable and satisfying to solve, avoiding repetitiveness. However, some players find the mystery aspect lacking, and there can be frustration when relying on character dialogue for gameplay direction. Overall, the puzzles and gameplay mechanics are solid and enjoyable.

    • “The puzzles and gameplay are solid and fun.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and offers a variety of challenges.”
    • “The mechanics are intuitive, making it easy to jump right in and enjoy.”
    • “This is frustrating, especially for those of us who get direction of gameplay from dialogue with other characters.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game is reported to be quite buggy, with players experiencing issues such as essential dialogue not triggering, which necessitated replaying significant portions of the game. While there are some glitches in the puzzles, they are generally manageable and do not severely hinder progress.

    • “Unfortunately very buggy, we had to replay most of the game because one essential piece of dialogue wouldn't trigger.”
    • “There are a couple of glitches in the puzzles, but they are not show stoppers and you can easily just guess the missing elements.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its beautiful backgrounds and an intriguing story, creating an immersive experience for players as they navigate challenging puzzles in a mysterious Parisian setting.

    • “Beautiful backgrounds, an intriguing story, and enjoyable, challenging puzzles make it an excellent game for players who want to explore an atmospheric mystery set in Paris.”
  • music2 mentions

    Users report issues with the game's music functionality on Windows 7, indicating that while the music plays, the game itself fails to run properly.

    • “I have Windows 7 and it just won't run; I can only hear music.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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