Skip to main content

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse

88%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
gameplay, grinding
88% User Score Based on 374 reviews

Platforms

iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSPCPCPhonePhoneWindowsWindowsLinuxLinuxMobile PlatformMobile PlatformiPadiPad

About

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.

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse screenshot
+5

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 374 reviews
story58 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions

  • The story is captivating and well-written, with interesting characters and a beautiful castle setting that enhances the atmosphere.
  • The puzzles are enjoyable and challenging, providing a good balance that doesn't require excessive hints to solve.
  • The mini-games, particularly 'Raid' and 'Monster', are fun and add replay value to the game.
  • The game can be dialogue-heavy, leading to moments where players may feel stuck or overwhelmed by conversations.
  • Navigation through the castle and maze-like areas can be confusing, making it easy to get lost and prolonging gameplay unnecessarily.
  • Some puzzles may feel too easy or obvious, reducing the overall challenge for experienced players.
  • story
    124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is generally described as captivating and well-written, featuring intriguing characters and a rich atmosphere influenced by German folklore. While many players enjoyed the engaging plot and humor, some noted pacing issues and a few logical inconsistencies that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the narrative is appreciated for its charm and lightheartedness, though it may not reach the heights of previous entries in the series.

    • “The characters are all very developed, as is the story/mystery, and it has a lot of information about German folklore.”
    • “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, you know, 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
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy yet detailed design, enhanced by epic music and a captivating plot. Players appreciate the spooky ambiance created by the castle's large, empty halls and the incorporation of Germanic folklore, which adds depth to the experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both intriguing and immersive, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “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
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its epic quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall experience. While many players appreciate the soundtrack and its role in setting the mood, some have noted instances where the music feels mismatched with the scene, such as danger themes during lighthearted moments. Overall, the music is considered a strong asset, complementing the engaging story and character interactions.

    • “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.”
    • “The one trait of all Nancy Drew games I wish Her Interactive would change is the music playing in the most unfitting scenes.”
    • “Danger music while shopping?”
  • gameplay
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay in this title is a mixed bag; while it excels as a point-and-click experience with a captivating blend of suspense and creepiness reminiscent of classic Nancy Drew games, players have noted issues with poorly explained puzzles and glitches that detract from the overall experience. The absence of frequent friend interactions feels like a missed opportunity, but the game still manages to deliver a compelling art experience.

    • “There is a perfect mixture of suspense and creepiness, something true (yet sometimes missing in newer versions) to Nancy Drew gameplay.”
    • “This game is the pinnacle of point-and-click gameplay, creating a truly riveting art experience for all players involved.”
    • “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.”
    • “The ones I found were not integral to gameplay and progression; however, it would've been nice to see them.”
    • “While convenient, it was a little sad to not call friends as frequently, but I get that they were probably experimenting with game mechanics.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 quirky tasks, although some noted the presence of plot holes. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's appeal, keeping players amused throughout their journey.

    • “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.”
    • “Lukas and Karl are very funny.”
  • graphics
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are generally considered good, especially for its 2011 release, though some players note that more recent titles from the same developer have seen improvements. While the visuals and voice acting may not be top-notch, they contribute to the overall charm of the game, which is appreciated by fans of the series. However, some users express disappointment over the lack of widescreen formatting and suggest that earlier titles may offer better narratives despite their dated graphics.

    • “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) but my main complaint is that the game is not formatted for widescreen.”
    • “No matter how updated the graphics become or how much the budget expands, I always admire how Her Interactive keeps the Nancy Drew games in the spirit of the books.”
    • “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

    The grinding aspect of the game is often described as extremely tedious and heavily reliant on chance, leading to a frustrating experience for players. While some find the puzzles engaging and the setting acceptable, the overall sentiment leans towards a lack of enjoyment due to the repetitive and monotonous nature 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

    Reviewers highlight that the game features strong character development alongside engaging puzzles and clues, indicating a well-rounded narrative experience.

    • “Great puzzles and clues, with excellent character development.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players highlight that the inclusion of two mini games significantly enhances the game's replayability, providing additional content and variety that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “The two mini games added a great amount of replay value to the game.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers suggest that the emotional depth of the game could be enhanced by incorporating more interactions with key characters like Hannah, Nancy's father, and the Hardy Boys, which could add complexity and richness to Nancy's narrative.

Buy Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse

18h Median play time
15h Average play time
9-21h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse

Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon ImageNancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon ImageNancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon Image
Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness Image
Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake ImageNancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake ImageNancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake Image
Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge ImageNancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge ImageNancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge Image
Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall Image
Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy ImageNancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy ImageNancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy Image
Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor ImageNancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor ImageNancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor Image
Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill ImageNancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill ImageNancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill Image
The Night of the Rabbit Image
Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem Image