Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 193 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • atmosphere
Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion Game Cover
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Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion is a mystery adventure game where players help Nancy investigate eerie occurrences in a Victorian mansion in San Francisco. As Nancy, players explore the mansion's secrets, interact with spirits, and uncover a greed-fueled plot behind the haunting. The game features puzzle-solving, secret passages, and a compelling storyline to keep players engaged.

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Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 193 reviews
story20 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience with charming characters and a fun storyline, making it a great introduction to the Nancy Drew series.
  • Puzzles are generally logical and rewarding, encouraging players to pay attention to details and use their knowledge of the mansion.
  • The atmosphere is engaging, with spooky elements that enhance the mystery, and the setting in a Victorian mansion adds to the overall charm.
  • The game suffers from dated graphics and clunky navigation, which can make it frustrating for new players unfamiliar with older point-and-click mechanics.
  • Some puzzles, particularly the floor tile puzzle, are overly finicky and can be bugged, leading to potential game-breaking issues.
  • The story and character development are often seen as weak, with predictable plot twists and a lack of depth in character interactions.
  • story57 mentions

    The story of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging characters, atmospheric setting, and the blend of narrative and puzzles. However, some critiques highlight that the plot can be predictable, with easy-to-guess motives and outcomes, and that players may miss key story elements if they don't explore thoroughly. Overall, while the story has its strengths, including charm and intrigue, it also suffers from pacing issues and unresolved plot points.

    • “The music, the story, the setting, the characters, and all the small details really make it an incredible game.”
    • “I think around this game they kind of found their groove in how to nicely blend the story and puzzles together with some nice environmental storytelling as well.”
    • “The story's great, the puzzles aren't too tricky, and the atmosphere is fantastic.”
    • “All these leave the bones of a decent story, but lack any substance to really make it shine.”
    • “The plot is pretty bare, too, with the villain and motive being pretty easy to determine.”
    • “This game was a disappointment on both a story and a gameplay level, even for those who grew up with Nancy Drew games.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of "Message in a Haunted Mansion" are often described as dated, reflecting its origins in the late 90s, which can make reading in-game notes challenging due to low resolution and cursive writing. Despite their rough quality, many players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the game's beautiful interior decor, acknowledging that the graphics are a product of their time. Overall, while the visuals may not impress by modern standards, they contribute to the game's classic appeal for fans of the Nancy Drew series.

    • “Though its aged graphics-wise, the interior decor of the game is actually very beautiful and the soundtrack always sets the mood.”
    • “I give the graphics a pass due to the date of release, but the uncanny valley was strong with this one, especially with Charlie. If you love the classic Nancy Drew games, then I definitely recommend this one!”
    • “The resolution with the graphics does make reading notes and other material hard at times, but other than that, this is a great point-and-click game!”
    • “Due to the age of the game and graphics quality, this made the cursive writing very difficult to read and it took me some time to read all of what was written.”
    • “While I do think the dialogue could've been a little more fleshed out, it is an extremely pleasant adventure for all ages wrapped up in a dated, but respectable graphical bow.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and cozy elements, effectively capturing the charm of San Francisco's Victorian architecture and the gold rush era. While some players note a lack of true horror, the overall ambiance, enhanced by a great soundtrack, contributes to a fun and engaging experience. Many reviewers appreciate the realistic and memorable scenery, although some feel it could have been even more immersive.

    • “I played this when it first came out on CD-ROM and remember being legitimately spooked by the atmosphere. I gotta say, it holds up as a really fun, cozy mystery anyone can enjoy!”
    • “Nostalgic, cheesy, endearing, great atmosphere and soundtrack.”
    • “The story's great, the puzzles aren't too tricky, and the atmosphere is fantastic.”
    • “The mansion itself isn't really creepy and there is never an atmosphere of horror.”
    • “This could have been one of the scariest Nancy Drew games if the atmosphere lived up to it.”
    • “For an early 2000s game, they did pretty well with creating a spooky atmosphere!”
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a dated interface and clunky movement mechanics, which can lead to confusion and frustration for players. While it offers classic point-and-click puzzle elements with rewarding "aha" moments, many users find certain mechanics unintuitive and the overall experience inconsistent, with some titles in the series being notably better than others. Despite its flaws, the game still manages to deliver a solid narrative and engaging puzzles for those willing to navigate its challenges.

    • “The dated gameplay can make things difficult for all the wrong reasons, but otherwise it's a classic point-and-click puzzler with plenty of 'aha' moments to reward inquisitive players.”
    • “Good story, realistic non-overblown characters, good gameplay, and barely good enough puzzles to get a solid passing grade.”
    • “There are some odd movement mechanics, but you can get the hang of them after a bit.”
    • “The interface and gameplay loop are very dated, and it can be difficult to know where you are able to click and what will happen when you do.”
    • “Nothing is intuitive, and certain mechanics have to be duplicated for the game to proceed.”
    • “Worst of all, I found myself having to call for help every other second because the gameplay is so arbitrary.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and endearing qualities, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as enjoyable enough to listen to independently, and note specific themes that enhance key moments in the game. Overall, the music is considered a vital element that elevates the gaming experience.

    • “The soundtrack is an absolute banger and is worth just listening to on its own!”
    • “Nostalgic, cheesy, endearing, great atmosphere and soundtrack.”
    • “Though its aged graphics wise, the interior decor of the game is actually very beautiful and the soundtrack always sets the mood.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its nostalgic point-and-click style and the intentionally poor voice acting, which adds a comedic charm rather than detracting from the experience. Players find the characters well-developed and amusing, while the historical context of the Victorian mansion enhances the overall enjoyment. The combination of challenging puzzles and a humorous atmosphere contributes to a memorable gaming experience.

    • “Instead of ruining the game, this just makes it very, very funny.”
    • “It's funny considering the plot of the game was to learn the history of the Victorian-styled mansion in Chicago, and I found myself far more interested in the time period it was based on currently instead.”
    • “The puzzles are challenging and addictive, the characters are funny and well-developed, the scenery and atmosphere (my favorite) are realistic and memorable.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be mostly enjoyable, with most puzzles being straightforward and engaging. However, some users noted that certain puzzles, particularly the floor tile puzzle, can feel tedious.

    • “The puzzles weren't tedious... well, except for the last one.”
    • “You get to snoop through people's stuff, and any tasks you are given are straightforward and not tedious, unlike some of the other entries.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The stability of the game is frequently criticized, particularly regarding the floor puzzle, which is described as buggy and requiring precise interactions. Users have reported persistent issues despite attempts to troubleshoot, including reinstalling Steam and updating files, indicating that the game's older interface contributes to these stability problems.

    • “The floor puzzle is notorious for being buggy and requires precise movements.”
    • “I tried reinstalling Steam, updating the files, and troubleshooting compatibility, but nothing has worked.”
    • “Cons: the older interface (it's a very old game, the third in this long-running series) and it is a little buggy.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Overall, users find the emotional delivery in the game to be genuine, though there are some criticisms regarding the tone of Nancy's questions and a lack of emotional depth from the actor during the final bbg event.

    • “The characters' struggles and triumphs resonate deeply, making every moment feel genuine and impactful.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story left me reflecting on my own experiences long after I finished playing.”
    • “The voice acting truly brings the characters to life, allowing their emotions to shine through in every scene.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The Nancy Drew games are praised for their strong character development, alongside engaging historical facts and game design, making them enjoyable for both solo players and those seeking a cooperative experience.

    • “If you are looking for historical facts, great game design, good character development, and something to do with a friend or solo, you have to check out the Nancy Drew games!”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally positive, with smooth performance when players pay attention to details early on, despite some moments that may require backtracking.

    • “It is a little bit daunting to have to go back and forth at points, but as long as you keep your eyes peeled for every detail early on, the game runs smoothly with the storyline.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Despite its shorter length, the game offers high replayability, making it a worthwhile purchase for players.

    • “It's a bit short, but it's very replayable, and I'm really glad I bought it.”
    • “The game offers so many different paths and choices that I can't wait to play through it again.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the random events and character interactions.”
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Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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