Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse

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Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse is a single player casual puzzle game with a mystery theme. It was developed by HeR Interactive and was released on July 25, 2011. It received positive reviews from players.

In Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse, players become the famous detective to uncover the truth behind a centuries-old curse. Explore a castle and its vast grounds in Italy while solving puzzles, interviewing suspects, and avoiding obstacles. Can you save the townsfolk from the supposed curse or will you become its next victim? Delve into a thrilling mystery and experience an unforgettable adventure in this captivating game.

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Single-Player

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 350 reviews

story50 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features well-developed characters and an intriguing story that incorporates elements of German folklore.
Puzzles are challenging yet manageable, providing a satisfying experience for players without requiring excessive hints.
The atmosphere of the game is engaging, with a spooky castle setting and enjoyable mini-games that add to the overall fun.

Navigation can be confusing, leading to frustration as players may get lost in the maze-like areas of the castle.
The game is dialogue-heavy, which can slow down the pacing and make it feel tedious at times.
Some puzzles are poorly explained, causing players to rely on external guides to progress, detracting from the overall experience.

story
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The story is generally well-received, featuring developed characters and an intriguing plot that incorporates elements of German folklore, though some find it a bit silly or lacking in logic for a mystery game. While the pacing and atmosphere are praised, there are criticisms regarding slow progression and unresolved plot points. Overall, the narrative is described as captivating and light-hearted, with enjoyable dialogue and a mix of engaging puzzles.
- “The characters, atmosphere, story, and music are absolutely amazing!”
- “The story line of this game is completely captivating.”
- “I was hooked from the start and immediately loved the spooky setting and the story.”
- “The story is okay, but the game overall is so slow and dull.”
- “However, it falls flat in the actual logic of the story a bit, which is a big flaw in a mystery game.”
- “While there are some thrilling aspects, and I enjoy the setting of an old German castle, the rest of the story is lackluster.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
35%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its spooky and immersive qualities, particularly within the eerie castle setting that enhances the mystery. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound and visuals, creating a blend of cozy and unsettling elements that contribute to a captivating experience. The incorporation of Germanic folklore and fairy tales further enriches the game's atmospheric depth, making it a standout feature for players.
- “Great atmosphere and the large empty halls of the castle provide the perfect setting for a spooky monster mystery.”
- “I found the locations and sounds to be the spookiest part of this game; the atmosphere is very well done.”
- “This game in particular had a great Germanic atmosphere, weaving tales from Grimm’s fairytales and mythical folklore into an intriguing plot.”
- “Sure, the deep red and maroon of the hallways can be a bit unsettling, but it's at least more cozy than the dark and foreboding atmosphere of the outdoor courtyard.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the storytelling, with many reviewers noting that the soundtrack is a standout feature. It effectively sets the mood and contributes to the overall immersive experience, alongside strong character dialogues and engaging puzzles. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset to the game's design.
- “The characters, atmosphere, story, and music are absolutely amazing!”
- “Love the music, the story, the game design.”
- “I liked the puzzles as well and the music was really good to set the mood of the game.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its witty dialogue and charming characters, making the experience entertaining and engaging. Players enjoy the comedic situations, such as absurd interactions and playful antics, although some noted the presence of humorous plot holes. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's appeal, keeping players entertained throughout.
- “The dialogue is so funny and witty; all the characters are super charming and unique. The controls are fairly easy to grasp, and the story is a lot of fun to play through - I never got stuck for too long and never got bored.”
- “It was entertaining, frustrating, and funny... a lot of screaming at the monitor, a lot of pleading, giving cake to old ladies, being mean to small children, taking pictures of sleeping people, and spying on cameras.”
- “I do think there are some pretty funny plot holes after the end of the game, and would have loved more detail about the castle's history, but it's a pretty solid, well-rounded package overall.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
Gameplay is characterized by a blend of suspense and creepiness reminiscent of classic Nancy Drew titles, though some players found the puzzles poorly explained, leading to confusion and reliance on external help. Additionally, technical issues such as glitches were reported, which detracted from the overall experience. While the convenience of certain mechanics was appreciated, the reduced interaction with friends was noted as a downside.
- “There is a perfect mixture of suspense and creepiness, something true (yet sometimes missing in newer versions) to Nancy Drew gameplay.”
- “Puzzles - I found some of these badly explained; I often had no idea what to do and ended up having to Google a few times to get an explanation for the mechanics.”
- “While convenient, it was a little sad to not call friends as frequently, but I get that they were probably experimenting with game mechanics.”
- “The ones I found were not integral to gameplay and progression; however, it would've been nice to see them.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
30%
10%
The graphics are generally considered good, especially for a game made in 2011, though some users note that they are not formatted for widescreen. While the visuals and voice acting may not be top-notch, they contribute positively to the overall experience, particularly for newcomers to the Nancy Drew series. However, players are encouraged to explore classic titles for potentially better narratives and graphics, despite their older game engines.
- “All amazing parts of the game, and that's not even taking the graphics and scenery into account!”
- “Graphics are good (made in 2011, Her Interactive's more recent games have improved graphics).”
- “The characters are well developed, the graphics are quite good.”
- “If this is your first time looking at the Nancy Drew game series, I tend to recommend some of the more classic titles, which are, in my opinion, of higher quality and contain better narratives. Keep in mind though that their graphics and game engines may be a bit more dated, being from the earlier 2000s.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as extremely tedious and largely based on chance, making it a frustrating experience for players. While some appreciate the inclusion of puzzles and the setting, the overall sentiment leans towards a negative view of the grinding elements.
- “Extremely tedious and completely chance-based.”
- “There are some good puzzles, and it's not the worst setting, but I find this one pretty tedious.”
- “Quite tedious.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game features strong character development alongside engaging puzzles and clues, indicating a well-rounded narrative experience.
- “Great puzzles and clues, good character development too.”

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18h Median play time

15h Average play time

9-21h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse is a casual puzzle game with mystery theme.

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 15 hours playing Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse.

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse was released on July 25, 2011.

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse was developed by HeR Interactive.

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse is a single player game.

Similar games include Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake, Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge, Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy, Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness and others.

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