Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 186 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.

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Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 186 reviews
story28 positive mentions
grinding11 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for long-time 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 delivering telegrams and mini-golf, add a unique twist to the gameplay, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.
  • Some puzzles, particularly the sewing machine and mini-golf, can be frustrating and tedious, detracting from the overall experience.
  • The game can feel short and straightforward, lacking the depth and complexity found in other Nancy Drew titles.
  • Driving around town and completing errands can become repetitive and may feel like unnecessary padding to the gameplay.
  • story58 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging and straightforward narrative, often likening it to classic Nancy Drew tales. While some found the pacing slow and certain tasks tedious, others enjoyed the quirky characters and plot twists, noting that the balance between story and puzzles was generally well-executed. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, nostalgic experience, particularly for fans of the series, despite some criticisms regarding its linearity and occasional lack of depth.

    • “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 enjoyed the characters, the fun twist ending, and the story a great deal.”
    • “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.”
    • “Constantly delivering telegrams to earn enough money for the stuff you need to finish the story can get annoying.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    The grinding aspect of this Nancy Drew game is largely criticized for its tedious and slow-paced tasks, including repetitive fetch quests and challenging puzzles that can feel mindless. While some players appreciate the calming nature of the gameplay and the unique mechanics, many find the overall experience to be boring and frustrating due to the excessive chores and difficulty in execution.

    • “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.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of the game are described as colorful and fun, though somewhat outdated compared to newer titles in the Nancy Drew series. While they may not be award-winning, they possess a certain charm that appeals to both younger players and nostalgic adults. Overall, the visuals are decent for their time, with some minor performance issues noted.

    • “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 kind of bad, and it can run a bit slow in spots.”
    • “Graphics aren't going to win any awards.”
    • “Outdated graphics still hold a certain charm in their aesthetic, as does the period music.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, featuring witty dialogue and engaging characters that add a lighthearted touch to the narrative. Players appreciate the clever remarks and funny interactions, such as the quirky side characters and amusing scenarios, which enhance the overall experience. The blend of humor with intriguing plot elements creates a charming and entertaining atmosphere.

    • “Fun, and I like how Nancy makes a few little remarks like 'I've never solved a mystery before; maybe I'll be good at it!' Very funny.”
    • “It's a humorous tale with several interesting characters.”
    • “The stories and dialogue are engaging and funny.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it pleasant and fitting for the 1930s theme, others feel it lacks depth and 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 straightforward nature. Overall, the music is generally seen as enjoyable, complementing the nostalgic vibe of the game.

    • “There are many places to explore, and the accompanying soundtrack to your sleuthing is particularly memorable, fun, and upbeat.”
    • “I loved the music and I think it went really well with the 1930's theme. I quite liked that!”
    • “Music is bad, but the puzzles are good.”
    • “Outdated graphics still hold a certain charm in their aesthetic, as does the period music.”
  • gameplay4 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 sensitive and unresponsive, the overall gameplay is considered a significant improvement compared to previous installments.

    • “The gameplay is a major improvement over other installments prior to this one.”
    • “I appreciated the uniqueness of the driving mechanic and the money mechanic.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is a major improvement over other installments previous to this one.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game is characterized by its simple and wholesome setting, featuring easy puzzles and a focus on helping others, which contributes to a nostalgic and heartwarming experience. While it lacks significant emotional depth and scares, it offers a comforting and feel-good atmosphere.

    • “Secret of the Old Clock is as wholesome and nostalgic a game as they come.”
    • “Minimal scariness and emotional depth.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and nostalgic qualities, complemented by scenic visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the engaging puzzles and mini-games that enhance the overall experience, contributing to a fun and immersive environment.

    • “Charming, with good puzzles, atmosphere, characters, and a great soundtrack.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability1 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.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, including frequent glitches and error codes that can lead to system crashes.

    • “It seems to have glitches, and it kicked me off with an error code, causing my whole computer to shut down.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and random disconnections, which ruined my gaming experience.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game struggles with optimization on newer systems, particularly Windows 10, leading to performance issues such as stuttering, reminiscent of problems seen in older titles.

    • “The game itself, like the older games, runs pretty poorly on newer systems and may have stuttering issues on Windows 10.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and long loading times.”
    • “Despite having a powerful PC, I still experience lag and performance issues that ruin the gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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