Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 320 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • music
Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 320 reviews
story34 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun and engaging mystery with a strong educational component about Mayan culture.
  • Puzzles are varied and challenging, providing a satisfying experience for players who enjoy problem-solving.
  • The setting in a museum adds a unique atmosphere, and the characters are well-developed and memorable.
  • The game can feel tedious due to excessive back-and-forth navigation and numerous phone calls, which disrupts the flow of gameplay.
  • Some puzzles are overly complex or require extensive note-taking, which may frustrate players looking for a more straightforward experience.
  • The plot can be confusing at times, with certain elements not making complete sense by the end of the game.
  • story76 mentions

    The story in this game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging plot, unique twists, and educational elements related to Mayan culture. However, some found the pacing slow and certain plot points confusing, leading to mixed feelings about the overall coherence of the narrative. While the game features a strong core story, it also includes frustrating elements, such as reliance on specific in-game actions to progress the plot.

    • “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.”
    • “This one had a great story, and made me feel like I was a real detective solving a case.”
    • “Excellent story with plenty of intriguing turns.”
    • “Getting stuck in this game was particularly common compared to others, as the multiple plot lines don't necessarily flow together.”
    • “This installment features a slow moving, uneventful story line with confusing puzzles and bland characters.”
    • “The story is one of the weaker in the series, but I still loved the puzzles.”
  • grinding28 mentions

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious, particularly in the early stages where puzzles are long and require excessive backtracking. While some find the tasks overly laborious and reminiscent of real work, others still appreciate the game's charm and recommend it for fans of the series. Overall, the repetitive nature of certain puzzles and the need to revisit locations detracts from the enjoyment, though the engaging characters and interesting themes provide some balance.

    • “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.”
    • “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!”
    • “The ball through the hoop game, though, was inexcusably tedious.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised for its immersive quality and unique South American influence, which sets it apart from other titles in the series. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the game's atmosphere, contributing to both the thematic puzzles and the overall setting. However, some players found the music less appealing when compared to other aspects of the game, indicating a mixed reception among certain users.

    • “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.”
    • “Especially the music.”
    • “The music in the Nancy Drew series is usually pretty good, but this game is a particular standout.”
  • gameplay18 mentions

    The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging puzzles, unique mechanics, and fresh themes across different games, providing great value and length. While the graphics may be outdated, they do not detract from the fun and enjoyable gameplay experience, which encourages players to take notes and immerse themselves in the mystery. Overall, players appreciate the improvements in movement and the overall enjoyment derived from the gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “Movements/gameplay improved from the previous game but be prepared to take notes!”
    • “Graphics and gameplay: the graphics are quite atrocious but it doesn't hamper gameplay.”
  • graphics16 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. Despite their lack of sophistication, the graphics do not significantly detract from the enjoyable gameplay and nostalgic experience. Overall, while the visuals may be subpar, the fun and engaging puzzles keep players entertained.

    • “It hit me with the best sort of nostalgia (and an even greater appreciation for modern graphics) and I beat it this time!”
    • “The maze had some 1993 Doom level graphics.”
    • “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.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, featuring hilarious taglines and quirky character interactions that provide memorable moments. Players appreciate the blend of eccentricity and dark humor, particularly through characters like Taylor and the amusing second chance from the monolith. However, opinions on certain characters, like Sonny Joon, vary, with some finding him more annoying than funny.

    • “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.”
    • “It's both funny and shockingly macabre (for a Nancy Drew game) at the same time.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for being engaging and immersive, complemented by strong characters and a well-crafted 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 would 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.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players found the game emotionally engaging, highlighting its compelling story that immerses them in the role of a detective and evokes a sense of authenticity in the museum setting. This strong narrative connection enhances the overall experience, making them feel deeply involved in the gameplay.

    • “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.”
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