Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand

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In "Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand," amateur detective Nancy Drew investigates the theft of valuable artifacts from a museum's Egyptian exhibit. Players solve puzzles and interrogate suspects in this first-person point-and-click adventure game. As Nancy, players must uncover the culprit behind the theft and unravel the mystery of the scarlet hand.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 160 reviews

story17 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

The game offers a fun and engaging mystery with interesting puzzles that challenge players without being overly difficult.
It provides a rich educational experience about Mayan culture, making it enjoyable for those interested in history.
The characters are memorable and the setting in a museum adds a unique atmosphere to the gameplay.

The game can feel tedious due to excessive back-and-forth navigation and numerous phone calls, which may disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Some puzzles are overly reliant on trivia and require extensive note-taking, which can be frustrating for players who prefer more straightforward challenges.
The plot can be confusing at times, with certain elements not making complete sense by the end, leaving players unsatisfied.

story
38 mentions
45 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging plotlines, educational elements, and immersive settings, particularly in relation to Mayan culture. However, some found certain story elements confusing or lacking coherence, and a few criticized the pacing and character development. Overall, while the narrative is often praised for its intrigue and twists, it also faces scrutiny for occasional dullness and convoluted plot points.
- “The story is great, and the game has a good amount of actual info for the Maya and their culture, and even pushes forth the idea of returning artifacts to their home countries.”
- “The characters and thrilling story capture your attention and keep you engaged.”
- “Excellent story with plenty of intriguing turns.”
- “You know, between the amnesia plot and the dramatic museum sirens, this is like an episode of a telenovela.”
- “This installment features a slow-moving, uneventful storyline with confusing puzzles and bland characters.”
- “The story is one of the weaker in the series, but I still loved the puzzles.”
grinding
14 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant amount of grinding in the game, particularly due to tedious puzzles and excessive backtracking that can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some players found the early game frustrating and laborious, others appreciated the pacing and engaging elements that emerged later on. Despite the grind, many still recommend the game for fans of the series, noting that the interesting themes and characters can offset the tedious aspects.
- “You have to do puzzles that are extremely long and tedious, and in my opinion, a bit more difficult than average, and I was just gritting my teeth the whole time.”
- “Compared to other games, I did feel like there is a disproportionate amount of retracing your steps and tediousness.”
- “Omg this was so much work, and not fun work, it was tedious assignments like I was at a real job... this is supposed to be an escape!”
music
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its immersive quality and unique South American influence, enhancing the overall atmosphere and setting. Many reviewers noted that it stands out even within the Nancy Drew series, contributing significantly to the game's thematic puzzles and story. However, some players found the music less appealing, indicating a divide in opinions on this aspect.
- “Something that the Nancy Drew games do great is really immerse you in the setting with a lot of themed puzzles, story, music, and background.”
- “The South American influence helps to give the soundtrack a unique identity when compared to all of the other games.”
- “The music and setting are excellent, and suitably creepy at moments.”
- “Didn't like the characters, the music, and some of the tasks to me were way too tedious.”
- “The music in the Nancy Drew series is usually pretty good, but this game is a particular standout.”
- “The music was really fitting in this game.”
gameplay
9 mentions
44 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging puzzles and unique mechanics across different games, providing a fresh experience. Players appreciate the improved movement and the game's length, which offers great value for gameplay time, despite some criticism of the outdated graphics. Overall, the fun and mystery elements contribute to a satisfying gaming experience.
- “The games are also unique even among their own, with each game having different theming, mechanics, and puzzles - each one is fresh and new.”
- “Add the fun gameplay, characters, and mystery to unravel, and you have another fantastic game to add to the list.”
- “Great length, I enjoy the longer ones with more gameplay, and this one did not disappoint.”
- “The graphics are quite atrocious, but it doesn't hamper gameplay.”
- “Movements and gameplay improved from the previous game, but be prepared to take notes!”
- “This is one I never really watched much gameplay of in the past, so going into this nearly blind was quite fun.”
graphics
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The graphics of this older game are generally considered outdated, reminiscent of early 2000s and even 1993 titles, which may not appeal to modern players. While the visuals are described as "atrocious" and lacking in detail, they do not significantly detract from the overall gameplay experience, which remains enjoyable and nostalgic for some.
- “It hit me with the best sort of nostalgia (and an even greater appreciation for modern graphics) and I beat it this time!”
- “This game is pretty old, so the graphics haven't aged well, but the gameplay is fun and the puzzles aren't too difficult.”
- “Expect early 2000's graphics and a lot of dialogue.”
- “The maze had some 1993 Doom-level graphics.”
- “The graphics are quite atrocious but it doesn't hamper gameplay.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of clever taglines, quirky character interactions, and a blend of lighthearted and dark comedic elements. Players appreciate the amusing puzzles and eccentric characters, such as Taylor and Sonny Joon, though opinions on the latter's humor vary. Overall, the game offers memorable and quotable moments that enhance the experience.
- “I did enjoy the other puzzles and being able to travel for changes of scenery, and the second chance from the monolith is hilarious!”
- “It has good puzzles, fun and interesting history to learn, hilarious tag lines to quote for years to come (semper ubi sub ubi), and my personal favorite a high stakes ending.”
- “Taylor is also eccentric and funny with his ridiculous tie and insistence on offering Nancy cookies.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for being engaging and immersive, complemented by strong characters and a well-unfolding mystery. However, some players feel that the setting ultimately falls short of expectations, detracting from the overall experience.
- “This game has great atmosphere, good characters, and a good mystery.”
- “I think the atmosphere is really killer and the puzzles are hard, but not in an unsolvable way.”
- “I'd say the characters are better than they are in the average Nancy Drew game and the story itself unfolds really well with some great twists in it.”
- “I'd say the characters are better than they are in the average Nancy Drew game and the story itself unfolds really well with some great twists in it, but in the end, the setting and the atmosphere were a bit of a let-down.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting its engaging story that immerses them in the role of a detective and evokes a sense of authenticity in the museum setting. This connection enhances the overall experience, making them feel genuinely involved in the narrative.
- “This game had a great story and made me feel like I was a real detective solving a case.”
- “The theme also made me feel like I was actually working at a museum.”