Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 206 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake Game Cover
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In "Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake," players assume the role of Nancy Drew to investigate a mysterious pack of glowing-eyed dogs guarding their master's secrets in a cemetery and speakeasy. The game features first-person perspective exploration, puzzle-solving, and interrogations. Players can choose between Junior or Senior Detective difficulty levels. Additional activities include bird photography and bug collecting.

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Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 206 reviews
story33 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • The game has a captivating story and a spooky atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
  • Puzzles are enjoyable and range in difficulty, making them accessible for both new and returning players.
  • The nostalgic elements and charming characters add to the overall fun experience of the game.
  • The game features excessive backtracking and tedious fetch quests that can frustrate players.
  • Some puzzles are overly simplistic, leading to a lack of challenge for experienced players.
  • The character interactions and personalities are limited, making the game feel less engaging at times.
  • story60 mentions

    The story of the game is widely praised for its engaging plot, memorable characters, and nostalgic setting, with many players appreciating the spooky atmosphere and intriguing mysteries. While some found the puzzles to be less integral to the narrative, the overall storyline kept players invested and entertained, often leading to surprising twists and a satisfying conclusion. However, a few reviewers noted issues with pacing and repetitive tasks that detracted from the experience.

    • “The story was super interesting and I liked the environment of Moon Lake!”
    • “The story alone will keep you playing, not to mention the complex puzzles and nocturnal terrors!”
    • “The story line kept me guessing until the very end, a fact that I loved!”
    • “A lot of backtracking, wandering through the forest 100 times and riding the boat for what feels like a minute each time - just to add additional time to the story.”
    • “The puzzles seemed a little less purposeful this time around as it seemed like they were trying to find excuses for you to solve puzzles instead of making it an important part of the story.”
    • “This game has less puzzles than the other ones I've played and instead relied on the maze and silly side quests for that confusing/time-wasting element which was disappointing.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to set the atmosphere, with a mix of moody mobster jazz and whimsical forest themes that enhance the experience. However, some players find certain tracks repetitive or poorly timed, leading to a disconnect between the music and the game's events. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, contributing positively to the game's ambiance.

    • “Great soundtrack, puzzles were challenging.”
    • “There is an ominous piece of swing music that plays whenever you investigate at night, and it perfectly fits the 'ghostly gangster' theme that the game is going for.”
    • “The music seemed to be poorly timed, playing tense/spooky music when there was nothing happening, or it was broad daylight, while playing peaceful music during creepier moments.”
    • “There were some other issues like the annoying bird and bug chores, the fact that the ghost dogs only show up once, and that I thought the mood of the game was a bit stretched between its two themes—most glaringly pointed out in the soundtrack which bounces between moody mobster jazz and Disney forest frolicking.”
    • “The music really sets the atmosphere.”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated and somewhat rough, reflecting its status as an older title. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and voice acting, others find the visuals lacking compared to modern standards. Overall, the graphics may not impress, but they do not detract significantly from the engaging puzzles and storyline.

    • “I re-downloaded it and the graphics do still hold up.”
    • “I was pleasantly surprised with the graphics and the storyline was very intriguing, as were the characters.”
    • “As this is an older title in the library, I won't be too harsh on the graphics.”
    • “-aesthetically, this game is quite ugly.”
    • “The graphics on this game are just too old.”
    • “Graphics are a little rough and you may have to play around with the resolution a bit since the game originally ran on an older version of Windows.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its fun and spooky elements, enhanced by a unique 1920s gangster theme and engaging characters. Players appreciate the eerie settings, such as labyrinthine forests and cemeteries, which contribute to a haunting experience, although some moments, like dog attacks, can disrupt this ambiance. Overall, the combination of music, setting, and secrets creates a compelling and immersive atmosphere.

    • “I particularly enjoy the atmosphere of this entry in the series.”
    • “I loved the spooky atmosphere and, of course, the dogs!”
    • “I love the cast, the setting, the history of Malone, the fact that you are haunted by ghost doggos, and the overall eerie atmosphere.”
    • “But I found the puzzles engaging (even if very chore-heavy), the atmosphere really effective, even quite spooky at times for such an early game, and the characters pretty fun.”
    • “When the dog attack comes though it dispels most of this atmosphere.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to excessive backtracking and lengthy fetch quests. While some appreciate the intuitive puzzles and enjoy the experience more on subsequent playthroughs, many feel that the repetitive tasks and slow-paced missions detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The game makes a habit of sending you running around a specific section which can be overly tedious for some, as well as the tasks you have to do could be long and drawn out, especially if it's your first time playing, which may leave some people more frustrated.”
    • “Navigating through the forest maze and doing the fetch quests in it is tedious.”
    • “I found this to be tedious and a bit frustrating, especially since it was used at multiple points in the game.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring improved movement mechanics and a helpful detective's log that enhances the experience. While some players note instances of padding, the engaging story and puzzles compensate for any shortcomings, making the exploration enjoyable. Overall, the gameplay is rated highly, with many appreciating the nostalgic Nancy Drew elements.

    • “This one introduced the detective's log, which is a very helpful mechanic in the game.”
    • “Gameplay: 9.5/10 excellent.”
    • “I enjoy the Nancy Drew gameplay so much and this game doesn't disappoint.”
    • “As far as the complaints go, the game unfortunately employs some padding to stretch the gameplay.”
    • “I was worried that the older mechanics would be annoying, but the story and puzzles are good enough to make up for it.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The game's humor is highlighted by witty dialogue and engaging character interactions, particularly through the snarky persona of Red Knott, a misanthropic character with a fondness for birds. Players also enjoy the comedic tension in Jeff Akers' relationships with others, adding to the overall lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere of the game.

    • “Hilarious dialogue between characters, great suspects, somewhat easy to solve clues, and a fun location to explore were all pluses!”
    • “Red Knott is a delightfully snarky 'grumpy old man' who provides quite a bit of humor to the game with his love of birds and general misanthropy.”
    • “Jeff Akers is a pain in the ass, and his relationship with the other characters is hilariously tempestuous.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game experiences notable stability issues, including glitches that can reset ongoing puzzles when accessing notes, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these problems, players still find the game enjoyable.

    • “Two things that bothered me: 1) The game has some glitches, like if you opened your notes to look at something, it would reset any puzzle you were working on.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game includes humorous parody advertisements, such as those mimicking the Antiques Roadshow and PBS, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the engaging story and beautiful setting, they express disappointment in the limited character roster and feel that the narrative could be more developed. Additionally, certain gameplay elements, like the bug-catching puzzle, evoke discomfort, impacting the overall enjoyment.

    • “The emotional depth of the story really resonated with me, making me feel connected to the characters and their struggles.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the narrative; it brought out feelings I didn't expect to experience while playing a game.”
    • “The game beautifully captures the essence of human emotions, allowing players to empathize with the characters' journeys.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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