Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 201 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.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Game Boy Advance
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 201 reviews
story20 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming atmosphere with a spooky setting and interesting story elements, making it enjoyable for fans of mystery games.
  • Puzzles are generally logical and rewarding, allowing players to connect clues and solve mysteries without excessive frustration.
  • The game is nostalgic for many players, providing a fun experience that appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers to the Nancy Drew series.
  • The game suffers from outdated navigation and interface issues, making it difficult to know where to click and how to progress.
  • Several puzzles, particularly the floor tile puzzle, are notorious for being buggy and require pixel-perfect precision, leading to frustration.
  • The game is relatively short and lacks depth in character development and plot complexity, which may disappoint players looking for a more engaging experience.
  • story59 mentions

    The story of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its interesting characters, engaging atmosphere, and the blend of narrative and puzzles. However, some critiques highlight that the plot can be predictable, with easy-to-guess motives and a lack of depth in certain story elements. Overall, while the storyline has its flaws, it remains enjoyable and contributes positively to the game's experience.

    • “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 the limitations of 90s 3D design, which can make reading in-game notes challenging. 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 its 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!”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Between the weird characters, old graphics, and dull plot, it does little to excite.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the cozy yet spooky vibe that enhances the mystery experience. Set against a backdrop of San Francisco's Victorian architecture, the game successfully combines thematic elements with a memorable soundtrack, creating a fun and nostalgic ambiance. While some feel it could have been scarier, the overall atmosphere is considered a strong point, contributing to the enjoyment of the story and puzzles.

    • “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!”
    • “However, the game really shines with its theming and atmosphere.”
    • “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!”
  • gameplay12 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 these issues, some players appreciate the engaging story and character development, though others express disappointment in both gameplay and narrative quality.

    • “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.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature that is enjoyable even outside of gameplay. The atmospheric and thematic compositions contribute significantly to the game's charm, making it a memorable aspect that complements the story and setting. Overall, the music is considered a key element that elevates the game's appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is an absolute banger and is worth just listening to on its own!”
    • “I also just generally like the musical theme when you go into Abby's room and when you complete the final puzzle at the end.”
    • “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 highlighted as a nostalgic and entertaining element, with players finding the intentionally poor voice acting amusing rather than detrimental. The witty character development and engaging plot, set against a historically rich backdrop, contribute to a memorable and funny experience that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “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 imprecise.”
    • “Reinstalling Steam, updating the files, troubleshooting compatibility, and nothing has worked.”
    • “Cons: older interface (it's a very old game, the third in this long-running series) and 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 event.

    • “The characters' emotions feel genuine and relatable, making the story deeply impactful.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative truly resonates, leaving a lasting impression.”
    • “The voice acting brings a level of authenticity to the characters' feelings, enhancing the overall experience.”
  • 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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