Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness

About

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness is a single player puzzle game. It was developed by HeR Interactive and was released on February 2, 2017. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness" , players assume the role of detective Nancy Drew as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of a ship's captain in an Icelandic town. They will solve puzzles, interrogate suspects, and uncover secrets about the ship's past while learning about Icelandic culture and seafaring traditions. The game offers adjustable difficulty levels, providing a suitable challenge for both amateur and expert sleuths. Please note, this game is not compatible with Mac operating systems higher than Mojave.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 207 reviews

story51 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Beautiful graphics and immersive atmosphere, especially the Icelandic setting and northern lights.
Engaging and challenging puzzles that provide a satisfying gameplay experience, with a good mix of difficulty levels.
Strong character development and interesting dialogue, with memorable interactions and a nostalgic feel for long-time fans.

The game is heavily focused on puzzles, which can feel repetitive and overwhelming, with some puzzles being particularly difficult or obscure.
The storyline can be confusing and lacks a smooth flow, making it hard to stay engaged at times.
Some characters are perceived as unlikable or hostile, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
32%
4%
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and immersive setting, while others find it confusing or lacking in depth. Many appreciate the balance between story and puzzles, though some feel the narrative could have benefited from more development or clearer flow. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging storyline, despite some criticisms regarding predictability and pacing.
- “The story, characters, music, and setting are all top notch.”
- “The story lines are so fun and intriguing—I still can't figure out who the culprit is until the end!”
- “The story line is realistic and absorbing, the characters are dynamic and unique, the animation and effects are superb, the atmosphere is immersive and stunning.”
- “I felt like the plot fell a little flat--like there could have been more added to the story; however, it's not a poorly made game either.”
- “The storyline with Ned was a little confusing.”
- “In general, the plot was a bit more mediocre than some of the other games - I suspected the guilty party immediately and the climax felt a bit stunted.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
13%
9%
The graphics in this game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising the stunning visuals, particularly the depiction of the northern lights and ice caves. While some noted that the graphics are not on par with AAA titles, they represent a significant improvement over previous Nancy Drew games, maintaining a nostalgic art style while enhancing the overall atmosphere. Overall, the beautiful graphics contribute to a captivating experience, complementing the engaging story and character development.
- “Love this game, super beautiful graphics, often took time to stop and look at the northern lights.”
- “The graphics are beautiful - especially the northern lights and the ice caves.”
- “This game hands-down has the best graphics I've ever seen in a Nancy Drew game - from the gorgeous northern lights in the sky to the stunning ice caves to the characters themselves, the graphics were absolutely beautiful in my opinion.”
- “Though not on par with AAA games by any means, the graphics are an improvement from the older games, and I think they looked nice.”
- “But since graphics are definitely not the most important part of Nancy Drew games, I was glad that the plot, dialogs, and characters were good here.”
- “With better graphics, more sass, and tension between Nancy and her beloved Ned, you must dig deep in the ice for answers to a generations-old mystery.”
music
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
21%
10%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its emotional depth and immersive quality. Composed by Thomas Regin, the soundtrack is described as phenomenal, enchanting, and a perfect complement to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Players are encouraged to listen through the end credits, as the final song is particularly praised, making the music a standout feature of the overall experience.
- “The music makes me teary-eyed every time; it's phenomenal and adds so much to the experience.”
- “The soundtrack for this game is fantastic and only enhances the atmosphere.”
- “Beautiful imagery and a fantastic soundtrack you just want to stop and listen to.”
- “The music, particularly the one vocal song, is great!”
- “The sprightly fiddle tune that plays in the community center, the adventurous music on board the ship, and the beautiful finale song are just wonderful.”
- “I couldn't even figure out the music box puzzle, and I can read music.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
8%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack and beautiful art style reminiscent of classic adventure games. Players appreciate the vivid settings, dynamic characters, and engaging storylines that contribute to a cozy and captivating experience. Overall, the combination of stunning graphics, thematic music, and well-crafted environments creates a compelling atmosphere that draws players in.
- “The soundtrack for this game is fantastic and only lends to the atmosphere.”
- “The story line is realistic and absorbing, the characters are dynamic and unique, the animation and effects are superb, the atmosphere is immersive and stunning, the progression of the game is comprehensive and smooth, the music is enchanting and thematic, and the puzzles are a blast!”
- “It's atmospheric (the last to be made with its proprietary game engine) and is just calming to play with the beautiful Icelandic setting.”
- “I highly recommend it to Nancy Drew fans and people who seek out adventure games with a strong atmosphere to explore.”
- “The atmosphere is very well done.”
- “That being said, it is still worth playing for atmosphere and graphics alone.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the intriguing puzzles and improved graphics compared to earlier titles, while others criticize it for being overly reliant on repetitive and obstructive puzzles that detract from the overall experience. Many feel that the gameplay lacks investment in the story and can become frustrating due to the sheer volume of puzzles encountered early on. Overall, while there are elements of interest, the gameplay is seen as a significant drawback by several users.
- “I wasn't very invested in the story, but the puzzles and gameplay are quite good.”
- “Love this series, always has perfect puzzles that are intriguing enough and everything can be found through gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is interesting, and the phone conversations are strong.”
- “The one problem is that as soon as you start, you run into a dozen small puzzles obstructing your progress that you spend the rest of the game chasing down codes and solutions for, which take up over 90% of the gameplay.”
- “-very repetitive gameplay”
- “I just can't stand this many puzzles popping up within 30 minutes of gameplay!”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by snarky and witty characters, particularly Dagny and Soren, who provide a blend of sympathy and comedy. Players appreciate the clever writing, with memorable and contemporary jokes that enhance the engaging narrative and unique character interactions. Overall, the humor is seen as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Soren (who is gay as the day is long) provides quite a bit of humor in this game, while also being extremely sympathetic.”
- “I found the characters to be interesting and unique people I actually looked forward to talking to; the story was intriguing, the setting vivid and atmospheric, and the humor and general self-awareness were genuinely funny!”
- “I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of writing - there were some pretty funny, almost meme-worthy bits that felt really up-to-date.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by poignant character storylines, particularly the heartwarming relationship between Ned and Nancy, which is enhanced by a beautiful score. Players note that the game effectively captures intense emotions, with moments of love and crisis that resonate deeply throughout the narrative.
- “The storylines of some of the characters felt more emotional, which could have also been attributed to the beautiful score that set the scene very well.”
- “Ned and Nancy's story is quite heartwarming and sweet.”
- “His monologue to Nancy is extremely touching and it only served to remind me how much we tend to overlook the fact that Nancy and Ned are very much in love.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews on grinding highlight a mixed experience; while some players find certain puzzles annoying and tedious, others appreciate the variety and engaging nature of the challenges, suggesting that the grinding aspect can vary significantly based on individual preferences.
- “As always, some of the puzzles are annoying and tedious.”

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9h Median play time

9h Average play time

9-9h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness is a puzzle game.

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 9 hours playing Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness.

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness was released on February 2, 2017.

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness was developed by HeR Interactive.

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness is a single player game.

Similar games include Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse, Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem, Nancy Drew: Mystery of the Seven Keys, Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge, Syberia and others.

Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness

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