Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon
- October 10, 2009
- HeR Interactive
- 7h median play time
Get on SteamIn Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, players explore a mysterious train and its intriguing passengers while solving puzzles and uncovering secrets. As amateur detective Nancy Drew, they'll navigate complex situations, using their wits and observational skills to crack the case. Set in a stunning Southwestern landscape, this engaging adventure game combines suspenseful storytelling with enriching, realistic environments.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging story with interesting characters and a nostalgic feel, especially for fans of the series.
- Challenging yet enjoyable puzzles that are well-integrated into the storyline, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
- The train setting adds a unique atmosphere, making exploration and interaction with characters fun and immersive.
- The game can feel short and somewhat linear, with limited locations to explore, leading to repetitive backtracking.
- Some character motivations and plot points are weak or underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more depth in the story.
- Technical issues on modern systems can hinder gameplay, including lag and unskippable cutscenes when moving between train cars.
- story97 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-connected to the puzzles, while others criticize it for being predictable or lacking depth compared to other titles in the series. Many appreciate the interesting characters and the unique setting, particularly the train backdrop, which adds to the overall atmosphere. However, some feel that certain plot elements are underdeveloped or that the ending does not live up to the buildup, leaving a sense of dissatisfaction.
“It has an engaging story, characters, and puzzles, and a search for treasure that makes sense within the context of said story, which isn't something that can be said of some of these games.”
“The story is unique and interesting, and there's a good balance of traditional mystery/puzzle solving as well as navigating the characters' relationships with each other.”
“The story line is good, it all makes sense, and there is a nice little twist at the end that no one could have expected.”
“Considering Nancy isn't alone on this mission, it makes no sense as to why the culprit did what that person did at the end.”
“The story wasn't worth the buildup ultimately... wish this team wrote a better ending because this is getting repetitive.”
“The story is also rather stale with yet another mysterious buried treasure with a random ghost thrown in that you never see or hear about again after seeing once.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its cozy yet creepy ambiance, enhanced by antique aesthetics and engaging storytelling elements. Players appreciate the well-crafted settings, particularly the train environment, which adds to the overall immersive experience. The combination of intriguing characters, a tragic love story, and a treasure hunt contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps players invested.
“The puzzles are great, the atmosphere is cozy, creepy, and deliciously antique.”
“Challenging puzzles, a great atmosphere, a tragic love story, mysterious historical figures, ghosts, and a treasure hunt?!”
“I have always loved trains as settings for a mystery, and Last Train captures the atmosphere perfectly.”
“Even though this game isn't really attempting to be scary when compared to Castle Malloy or Blackmoor Manor, the atmosphere is still very solid.”
“Fortunately, the artwork and overall atmosphere of the train is really well done, so I never really found this aspect of the game tiring.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the clever puzzle design and engaging story, many note that the repetitive back-and-forth movement and certain puzzles can become tedious, particularly in the latter stages of the game. The balance between challenge and tedium varies, with some players feeling that the puzzles are either too easy or overly complex, leading to frustration.
“The puzzle design was very clever, and the mechanics within the game were not tedious or repetitive, which certain lesser titles can be prone to.”
“The controls can be a bit tedious, and you can't skip ahead through dialogue or animations.”
“It became tedious to have to go from one end of the train to the other, but the story was well thought out and for the most part the characters had interesting back stories.”
“I enjoyed playing this during the first half of the game, but it became very slow and tedious with all the puzzles loaded into the final hours.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its clever puzzle design and enjoyable mechanics, providing a relaxing yet challenging experience. While the story may be somewhat predictable, the engaging puzzles and unique settings compensate for this, making it a rewarding experience for players. Overall, the game offers a solid 5-7 hours of gameplay that balances ease of progression with thoughtful challenges.
“The plot develops pretty well without detracting from the gameplay.”
“Great puzzles, pleasant gameplay, great plotline!”
“Super fun, puzzles weren't dependent on faulty game mechanics, easy to follow but challenging to solve.”
“The story was a little predictable and not as solid as some other titles, but the gameplay made up for this for me.”
“About 5-7 hours of gameplay if you're familiar with the Nancy Drew games.”
“Like the other Nancy Drew games, most of the gameplay involves progression puzzles with some vague idea of how to solve them.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, reflecting its 2005 release, but many players appreciate the nostalgic charm and artistic quality that still resonate today. While some reviews note that the visuals may not impress by modern standards, the overall atmosphere and design, particularly of the train, are praised for their creativity and appeal. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, with a blend of old-school aesthetics and a strong artistic direction that enhances the gaming experience.
“Fortunately, the artwork and overall atmosphere of the train is really well done, so I never really found this aspect of the game tiring.”
“Love the graphics; the train is super cool.”
“Great quality and graphics.”
“The graphics aren't great, but I will give that a pass for being such an old game.”
“Of course, the graphics are nothing to brag about.”
“Just be forewarned that its graphics have not aged very well.”
- music9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised as a masterpiece, enhancing the overall experience with its beautiful compositions and fitting themes. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the best aspects, noting its ability to complement the game's setting, puzzles, and storyline. However, there are some mixed opinions, with a few feeling that certain tracks lacked the quality expected from the series.
“A masterpiece, until the very end with the great music played at the credits.”
“Unforgettable characters, great music, and a cool setting are just some of the reasons this game is great.”
“The first is the music which felt pretty half-hearted by Nancy Drew standards, and the second is the cast.”
“The music is original and has a theme I can only describe as adventurous.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by charming dialogue and exaggerated characters, such as the delightfully deadpan Charleena and the hilariously incompetent Tino. Players appreciate the witty interactions and funny moments, particularly with characters like Lori Girard, which enhance the overall experience alongside the engaging puzzles and mystery. The blend of humor and intriguing storytelling keeps players entertained throughout their journey.
“The dialogue and characters are still charming and funny, and the train is jam-packed with puzzles that give the mystery a lot of momentum as you steadily uncover clues.”
“There is a great variety of puzzles that are fairly challenging, a really interesting story, and a funny cast of characters.”
“Charleena is delightfully deadpan and snarky, while Tino manages to be both irritating and hilariously incompetent at the same time.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game runs smoothly on lower-end systems, such as a 2011 Asus PC, provided that no other applications are running in the background, indicating effective optimization for a range of hardware.
“It should run smoothly, especially when nothing else is running in the background.”
“No performance issues on my 2011 Asus PC.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its engaging storytelling and the enjoyable setting, contributing to a compelling overall experience.
“I really liked the story, character development, and the fun location.”
