Nancy Drew: The Deadly Device
- October 31, 2012
- HeR Interactive, Inc.
Nancy Drew: The Deadly Device is a mystery adventure game where players assume the role of detective Nancy Drew as she investigates the suspicious death of a physicist at a remote Tesla-inspired laboratory. Players must gather evidence, solve puzzles, and interrogate suspects to uncover the truth behind the terrifying events at the laboratory. However, beware that the game is not compatible with certain Mac operating systems.
Reviews
- The game features a compelling murder mystery with a great storyline and memorable characters, making it enjoyable for repeat playthroughs.
- Puzzles are challenging and creatively designed, often incorporating science themes that add depth to the gameplay.
- The atmosphere and soundtrack are well-crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's setting.
- Many players found the puzzles to be overly complex and technical, requiring extensive knowledge of science, which may not appeal to all fans.
- The game lacks clear direction at times, leading to frustration as players may find themselves stuck or unsure of what to do next.
- Some aspects of the gameplay, such as the day/night cycle and backtracking, can feel tedious and disrupt the flow of the game.
- story22 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its engaging murder mystery plot, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists, making it a standout entry in the series. While the narrative is compelling and well-developed, some players found certain aspects lacking, particularly in the middle, and noted that the challenging puzzles could detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the combination of a solid storyline and creative, science-themed puzzles contributes to a rich and immersive experience.
“The plot was great, the stakes felt high, and it was great to really learn more about the characters.”
“The story is great, I did not expect the end villain.”
“The hints for them also really suck :( I don't know why none of the games with the new layout give good hints, but I also got stuck for a whole hour trying to move the story along and I couldn't figure out what to do.”
“Too hard (had to cheat to just get through with the story).”
“There's a lot of plot twists, turns, and intense situations of characters doing very suspicious things, and it's up to Nancy to figure out if it's because they are the killer or if there's something else happening behind the scenes.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with a diverse range of styles that evoke various emotions. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to energize players and complement the game's plot and characters. However, some found the suspenseful music to be overly pervasive, which could detract from the experience for those less inclined towards the genre.
“As always, the music in this game was top notch as well.”
“The biggest thing that sets this game apart from the others in the series for me is the soundtrack.”
“Every time we booted up the game, the menu music got me pumped and right back into the atmosphere.”
“Whether suspenseful and riveting, dark and mysterious, despairing and lonely, or upbeat and cheerful, this game's music has it all.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious, with many players finding the puzzles repetitive and lacking in meaningful engagement. While some appreciate certain elements, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the excessive and nonsensical nature of the tasks required.
“This one incorporates a day-night cycle, with half the areas only being accessible at a certain time, and it's very tedious.”
“In all, there are too many tedious and meaningless puzzles without enough of the classic Nancy Drew activities.”
“This game pretty much consisted of only tedious puzzles that didn't even make sense.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a series of challenging, science-based puzzles set in a science lab where the protagonist, Nancy, resides. Players note that the gameplay is longer and more engaging than previous entries in the series, with minor issues that do not detract from the overall experience.
“Challenging puzzles and longer gameplay than previous Nancy Drew games I've played.”
“The primary gameplay is a series of puzzles with a science basis to them.”
“As for the gameplay, the mystery takes place in a science lab where Nancy lives.”
“These are just small things I noticed, but they didn't detract from the gameplay at all.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game received mixed reviews, with some players praising them as cool and engaging, while others criticized them as subpar compared to previous titles in the series.
“This game was pretty good to be honest, with cool graphics and an interesting plot.”
“The graphics are bad, worse than other Nancy games in my opinion.”
“The visuals feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and animations are stiff, making the game feel unappealing.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, with menu music that energizes players and a creepy environment that effectively induces jumpscares.
“Every time we booted up the game, the menu music got me pumped and right back into the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere was creepy enough that I definitely jumped a couple of times.”