Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 412 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.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 412 reviews
story66 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • The game has a compelling story and a spooky atmosphere that immerses players in the setting.
  • Puzzles are engaging and range in difficulty, making them fun to solve without being overly frustrating.
  • The nostalgic charm and humor of the characters, along with the cute dog animations, add to the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The game features excessive backtracking and fetch quests, which can feel tedious and detract from the mystery-solving experience.
  • Some puzzles are too easy or lack depth, leading to a less satisfying challenge for experienced players.
  • The limited number of characters and their lack of development make the interactions feel less engaging compared to other entries in the series.
  • story120 mentions

    The story of the game is widely praised for its engaging plot, memorable characters, and nostalgic elements, with many players appreciating the spooky atmosphere and intriguing twists. While some found the pacing and backtracking tedious, the overall narrative kept players invested, making it a highlight of the experience. However, a few critiques noted that certain puzzles felt less integrated into the story, and the believability of the plot could be a stretch at times.

    • “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.”
  • music26 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, like the "happy forest theme," repetitive and poorly timed, occasionally clashing with the game's mood. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, contributing to both the ambiance and emotional impact of the gameplay.

    • “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 really sets the atmosphere.”
    • “You alternate between day and night throughout the playthrough, and some points actually give you a bit of the chills (the music track is great, sets the mood perfectly).”
    • “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, but it often feels inconsistent with the game's tone.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated and rough, reflecting its status as an older title. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and find the visuals acceptable given the game's age, others describe them as unattractive and in need of adjustment for modern systems. 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.”
    • “The Nancy Drew games are all classic point-and-click mystery titles, and what they lack in graphics (which isn't much, considering their release date) they more than make up for with challenging puzzles and cozy charm!”
    • “- 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.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its spooky and engaging qualities, enhanced by a unique setting that includes elements like 1920s gangster themes and ghostly dogs. Players appreciate the combination of eerie environments, such as labyrinthine forests and cemeteries, along with a fun cast of characters. However, some feel that certain gameplay elements, like dog attacks, can disrupt the otherwise immersive experience.

    • “I particularly enjoy the atmosphere of this entry in the series.”
    • “I love the cast, the setting, the history of Malone, the fact that you are haunted by ghost doggos, and the overall eerie atmosphere.”
    • “This combined with a labyrinth-forest and spooky cemetery creates a really cool atmosphere for the beginning of the game.”
    • “When the dog attack comes though it dispels most of this atmosphere.”
    • “The music really sets the 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.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and frustrating, with players noting excessive backtracking, lengthy fetch quests, and slow-paced missions like hunting for bugs and birds. While some found the puzzles intuitive and more enjoyable upon replay, the overall sentiment suggests that the repetitive nature of tasks detracts from the experience, especially for first-time players.

    • “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.”
    • “Tedious puzzles, weak plot, didn't really enjoy because of so much backtracking.”
    • “I found this to be tedious and a bit frustrating, especially since it was used at multiple points in the game.”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay has received positive feedback for its improved movement mechanics and engaging puzzles, with the introduction of a helpful detective's log enhancing the experience. While some players noted instances of padding to extend gameplay, the overall exploration elements, including outdoor activities, contribute to a satisfying experience. The game has been rated highly, with a score of 9.5/10, indicating strong enjoyment among players.

    • “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.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The game features hilarious dialogue and memorable characters, particularly the snarky Red Knott, whose misanthropic humor and love for birds add charm. The interactions, especially the tumultuous relationship involving Jeff Akers, contribute to the overall comedic tone, making the experience enjoyable and entertaining.

    • “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.”
  • stability4 mentions

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

    • “The game has some glitches, like if you opened your notes to look at something, it would reset any puzzle you were working on.”
    • “There are several glitches that disrupt the gameplay experience.”
    • “The stability issues really detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is highlighted by its clever use of parody advertisements, specifically referencing shows like Antique's Roadshow and PBS, which adds a humorous touch to the overall experience.

  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the game enjoyable, appreciating its story and setting, though some feel it could benefit from deeper emotional engagement and additional characters. The bug-catching puzzle elicited discomfort for some, highlighting a disconnect between gameplay mechanics and player emotions. Overall, while the game is fun, there are opportunities for enhancing its emotional depth.

    • “I liked the story, but I think they could have done quite a bit more with it. It would have been nicer to have maybe one more character because having only three characters you could actually see was kind of boring. I did like the setting though, and I think it was really pretty.”
    • “As someone who hates bugs, I did not enjoy the bug-catching puzzle; it made me feel kind of sick. Overall, it's a pretty good game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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