Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy

About

In Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy, players go undercover as Nancy Drew to investigate threatening notes and dangerous accidents at a prestigious girls' boarding school. By exploring the campus, interrogating suspects, and solving puzzles, players must uncover the culprit before the threats turn deadly. The game features various high school activities, such as texting, studying, and even running the snack bar.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy screenshot

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 279 reviews

story46 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game features engaging characters and a fun storyline, making it enjoyable for players who love mystery and drama.
Puzzles are well-balanced, providing a mix of challenge without being overly frustrating, which keeps the gameplay fun.
The setting of an all-girls boarding school adds a unique atmosphere, enhanced by elements of Edgar Allan Poe, making it nostalgic and immersive.

Some players found the puzzles to be too easy or lacking in depth, leading to a less satisfying experience for those seeking a challenge.
The game can feel tedious at times due to the number of errands and tasks required to progress, which may detract from the detective experience.
Several reviews mentioned technical issues, such as bugs that prevent progress, which can be frustrating for players.

story
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
44%
5%
The story aspect of the game received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging characters, intriguing plot twists, and atmospheric settings, particularly in the context of the Nancy Drew series. However, some felt that the narrative lacked depth or coherence, with certain plot points left unresolved and puzzles that didn't always tie into the storyline. Overall, while the story was enjoyable for many, there were notable criticisms regarding its execution and pacing, leading to a varied reception among players.
- “The story and cast of characters are excellent, leading to a gripping game.”
- “The balance of whodunit suspects was well-done from a writing perspective; the ending was unpredictable, and plot twists shook up my expectations many times.”
- “It's fun, suspenseful, and has a rich storyline.”
- “Wish they added more story before the ending as it was just very boring and disappointing for me.”
- “However, it's definitely not the best of the franchise and the story leaves much to be wished for.”
- “The backstory was laughably absent, and I finished the game not really knowing what the point of it was.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
27%
27%
Gameplay in this title is a mixed bag; while it features unique mechanics like time progression and engaging mini-games, some players find certain puzzles frustrating and the map restrictive. The hint system is integrated into the narrative, enhancing immersion, but a lack of clear mechanic explanations can detract from the experience. Overall, the game successfully blends nostalgic elements with modern gameplay, offering enjoyable cooperative play and beautiful environments.
- “If you haven't, then know that there are a few gameplay elements that make this series different from most other games in the genre: time moves in the game, and certain things happen at certain times of the day, or on specific days, and you can set an alarm to skip time; there are always mini games (sometimes puzzles, sometimes arcade sections) for very real-life type chores and such; the in-game hint system feels like just another part of the story, as it's literally just talking to other people; when it comes down to it, it's always about finding out who's lying, and why!”
- “Perfect blend of puzzles, story, gameplay, and beautiful environments.”
- “Warnings at Waverly Academy does not disappoint in either nostalgia or gameplay.”
- “Sure, the mechanics and control scheme are the same, but it just feels way off.”
- “There is also an extreme lack of mechanic explanations.”
- “When it comes down to it, it's always about finding out who's lying, and why!”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many appreciating the improved visuals compared to older titles, while some note that they are not top-tier. The consistent art style and aesthetic contribute positively to the overall experience, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Nancy Drew games. Despite some criticisms of dated elements, the graphics are generally seen as solid and fitting for the game's theme.
- “This game is so fun to play; it gets you straight into the action. The puzzles and graphics are amazing, along with the little spooky effects.”
- “The art style and interface for the most part stay so consistent; it's hard to imagine the games weren't just created all at once.”
- “The graphics aren't top of the line, but they're improved from the older games.”
- “There are some Nancy Drew games that feature more dated, clumsy graphics and a clunky inventory/clicking system.”
- “The art style and interface for the most part stays so consistent, it's hard to imagine the games weren't just pooped out all at once.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
22%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, featuring beautiful settings like snowy landscapes and a dark academia vibe. Players appreciate the comfortable and relaxing school environment, complemented by well-developed characters and a mix of humor and drama. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the game, making it a standout aspect for many reviewers.
- “The atmosphere was great, and I liked the different personalities of all the girls.”
- “Good puzzles, a fun mystery, and a spooky atmosphere.”
- “It has an enjoyable atmosphere, music, and characters!”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
22%
33%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with ambient cello pieces enhancing the atmosphere and fitting the setting nicely. However, some players find the overall soundtrack to be sparse and forgettable, particularly when compared to previous entries in the series. While the voice acting and certain musical elements are praised, music puzzles tend to be viewed negatively by some reviewers.
- “This is a spectacular Nancy Drew game that combines so many of my favorite things - puzzles, gossip, petty drama, ambient cello music, and a very easy cooking puzzle.”
- “The setting is nicely done and quite pretty, and the music (including some diegetic bits of Bach's cello suite) suits it well.”
- “Like most other Nancy Drew games by Her Interactive, Warnings at Waverly Academy has top-notch voice acting, as well as great music, and puzzles that make you actually use your brain.”
- “However, I found the soundtrack bare and the map quite small, especially when compared to the previous entries.”
- “Negatives - anytime there is a music puzzle, it's going in the negatives section for me lol.”
- “The only other notable thing was the cello occasionally present in the otherwise forgettable soundtrack.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the funny dialogue and dramatic moments that enhance the overall experience. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, with a few describing it as frustrating rather than entertaining, many enjoyed the character dynamics and comedic elements that contributed to a fun atmosphere. Overall, the game's humor adds a layer of enjoyment, particularly through its quirky characters and engaging plot.
- “I love Nancy Drew games; solving puzzles and more, the dialogue is quite funny.”
- “Just enough drama for some truly hilarious moments, good atmosphere and pace after you get past fetch-quest day one that makes for a good build.”
- “Honestly found this game pretty hilarious, dramatic, and fun above all, and those are the best games.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some found certain tasks, like food making and puzzles, to be engaging and not tedious, others felt that specific activities, such as taking photos, became monotonous and detracted from the overall experience. The game generally maintains a relaxed pacing that emphasizes character interaction and sleuthing over repetitive tasks.
- “This one was really fun and the puzzles weren't tedious (none of them were chore-like other than the snack shop task), and the story was interesting too.”
- “Puzzles that I didn't need a walkthrough for, interesting location, a chore that's not tedious to do... this has become one of my favorite Nancy Drew games!”
- “I was really looking forward to this game, but honestly it was just tedious and boring.”
- “The only part I couldn't stand was taking photos for one of the students, which got tedious and had little to do with the plot of the game.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers notable replayability, particularly for players interested in exploring all conversations, achievements, and the engaging story. Nostalgic elements and challenging puzzles further enhance its value, making it appealing for both new and returning players.
- “There is some replayability if you are going for all the conversations, achievements, story, etc. Overall, I would recommend this game.”
- “It's got replay value (especially because of Steam achievements!), a good story, challenging puzzles, and so much nostalgia if you grew up with the Nancy Drew games, like I did.”
- “It also has a lot of replay value, as the story is a strong one.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, featuring an engaging backstory and meaningful growth throughout the game. Players appreciate the integration of educational puzzles and mini-games that enhance the immersive experience.
- “The backstory is interesting, there is actual character development, and there are plenty of puzzles and mini-games.”
- “I appreciated the achievements and, as always, the immersive character development and educational puzzles.”