Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 373 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • graphics
Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock Game Cover
Based on the first of Nancy's mysteries, this game celebrates the 75th anniversary of the series by using vintage sounds and visuals to tell a story set in 1930. In addition to solving the title enigma, Secret of the Old Clock offers 75 hidden bonus references for players to uncover. Though it's aim
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In "Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock," players assume the job of youthful analyst Nancy Drew as she explores the Lilac Inn, examining puzzles and scenes, and talking with suspects to determine the privileged person behind a dangerous explosion and the whereabouts of a critical will. This game offers classic point-and-click investigation for the fans of the Nancy Drew adventure series, featuring period settings, an engaging plot, and delightful mini-games. Drive Nancy's roadster, uncover secrets, and put your detective skills to the test in this enticing whodunit adventure.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 373 reviews
story56 positive mentions
grinding22 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the Nancy Drew series, with a charming 1930s setting and engaging story.
  • Puzzles are generally fun and well-designed, providing a good balance of challenge without being overly difficult.
  • The driving mechanic and mini-games, such as mini-golf, add a unique twist to the gameplay, making it enjoyable for both new and veteran players.
  • Some puzzles, particularly the sewing machine and mini-golf, can be frustrating and detract from the overall experience.
  • The game features tedious fetch quests and backtracking, which can feel like unnecessary padding to the gameplay.
  • Character development is lacking, with some characters feeling underwhelming and the story being somewhat linear and predictable.
  • story117 mentions

    The story of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging and straightforward narrative, which is rooted in Nancy Drew's first sleuthing mission in the 1930s. While some found the pacing slow and certain tasks tedious, the characters are described as interesting and the plot features enjoyable twists, making it a fun experience overall. However, a few critiques highlight issues with the story's coherence and the integration of puzzles, suggesting that while the narrative is charming, it may not be as strong as in other installments of the series.

    • “The story is interesting and the puzzles are creative.”
    • “I liked this game a lot :) The story is really nice and I loved the general vibe of it :) The puzzles are good and I think they match the theme of the story pretty well :) I loved the characters :D all of them seemed super thought out and had their own personalities.”
    • “I like this Nancy Drew game in particular because the story--Nancy is in the 1930's solving her first mystery--was unique and charming.”
    • “Not the best Nancy Drew game - the story isn't the best, pacing is quite slow, and the chores are tedious.”
    • “The plot was also a big mess; the fact that they've frankensteined three books into one story is partially a reason, but even without that, there were so many little annoyances with the way it was presented.”
    • “One thing that bothered me in a lot of installments in the series is that the games make you complete tasks that don't really help connect the story.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    The grinding aspect of this Nancy Drew game is frequently criticized for its tedious and repetitive tasks, such as fetch quests and chores, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some players find the slower pacing and unique mechanics calming and satisfying, many agree that the game can feel boring and frustrating at times, especially when puzzles are either too easy or overly tedious. Overall, the grinding elements may appeal to those who prefer a more methodical approach, but they can be a significant drawback for fans of faster-paced gameplay.

    • “The big gripe about this game is the tedious fetch quest in the middle.”
    • “Lots of the tasks are mindless, tedious, and extremely difficult to perform with a mouse.”
    • “This game is tedious and boring at times.”
  • graphics17 mentions

    The graphics of the game are described as colorful and fun, though somewhat outdated and not as polished as newer titles in the Nancy Drew series. While they may not win any awards, the visuals retain a certain charm that reflects the game's vintage aesthetic and period music, appealing to both its target demographic of kids and nostalgic adults. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for their time, despite occasional slow performance.

    • “Visuals were also very fun and colorful.”
    • “+ creative puzzle designs and decent graphics for its time.”
    • “Probably one of the best to show the change in the graphics and game style for Her Interactive.”
    • “Older game so some of the graphics are kinda bad and it can run a bit slow in spots.”
    • “Graphics aren't going to win any awards.”
    • “Based on the first of Nancy's mysteries, this game celebrates the 75th anniversary of the series by using vintage sounds and visuals to tell a story set in 1930.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, featuring witty remarks from characters like Nancy and engaging dialogue that adds charm to the narrative. Players appreciate the quirky interactions with various characters, such as a humorous hypnotist and amusing side quests, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the blend of funny voice acting and clever writing enhances the game's appeal.

    • “It's a humorous tale with several interesting characters.”
    • “Topham is especially hilarious.”
    • “There are some very genuinely funny and cute things that give the game a human flair; like the quack hypnotist guy owning a cat you briefly interact with, smatterings of relevant real world literature, and the money earning sidequests leading you to dialogues with various quirky small townsfolk.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it pleasant and fitting for the 1930s theme, others feel it fails to enhance the overall atmosphere. Many appreciate the upbeat and memorable soundtrack that accompanies the exploration and puzzles, contributing to the game's charm despite its outdated graphics. Overall, the music is seen as enjoyable but not essential to the game's narrative experience.

    • “I loved the music and I think it went really well with the 1930's theme. I did complete it faster than I finish normal games, so if you are just looking to spend an afternoon playing a game, I recommend this one!”
    • “I love the old time vibes, the mini-games (even the golf!), the driving around town doing errands for a few cents, the music, the puzzles, and even the characters!”
    • “Music is bad, but the puzzles are good.”
    • “There are many places to explore, and the accompanying soundtrack to your sleuthing is particularly memorable, fun, and upbeat.”
    • “+ outdated graphics still hold a certain charm in their aesthetic, as does the period music.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay features unique driving and money mechanics that initially engage players, but can become tedious over time. While the driving controls are described as both touchy and unresponsive, the overall gameplay is considered a significant improvement compared to previous installments.

    • “The gameplay is a major improvement over other installments previous to this one.”
    • “While most of the gameplay uses a touchy yet simultaneously unresponsive 'driving' car, you honestly don't need it much.”
    • “I appreciated the uniqueness of the driving mechanic and the money mechanic, but it did start to feel tedious after a while.”
    • “I appreciated the uniqueness of the driving mechanic and the money mechanic, but it did start to feel tedious after a while.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Secret of the Old Clock" is characterized by its wholesome and nostalgic setting, offering a gentle experience with minimal scares and emotional depth. Players appreciate the simplicity of the game, which focuses on light puzzles and community-driven tasks.

    • “Secret of the Old Clock is as wholesome and nostalgic a game as they come.”
    • “Minimal scariness and emotional depth.”
    • “It is definitely one of the more simple/wholesome settings with a lot of easier puzzles and a lot of driving around fetching things for other people.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and scenic qualities, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia. Reviewers highlight the engaging puzzles and mini-games, alongside a fun story and a great soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere is cute and scenic, and the whole thing has a great nostalgic feel.”
    • “Really great puzzles and mini games, fun story and atmosphere.”
    • “Charming, with good puzzles, atmosphere, characters, and a great soundtrack.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players find the game highly replayable due to its calming nature and manageable difficulty, making it an enjoyable experience to revisit.

    • “Not too challenging and very calming, I find this game easily replayable.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, including frequent glitches and error codes that can lead to system crashes. Users have experienced unexpected shutdowns of their computers while playing.

    • “It seems to have glitches and it kicked me off with an error code, causing my whole computer to shut down.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game suffers from optimization issues, particularly on newer systems, leading to poor performance and stuttering problems, especially on Windows 10.

    • “The game itself, like the older ND games, runs pretty poorly on newer systems and may have stuttering issues on Windows 10.”
    • “The game itself, like the older ND games, runs pretty poorly on newer systems and may have stuttering issues on Windows 10.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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