This game gets a mixed review from me. Good puzzles- interesting and made you think, but not too difficult for any age or manual dexterity. However, there are not too many people to "investigate"- and lots of "clues" go absolutely nowhere! To not spoil the game, Jing Jing's books, and being tricked by Minette, Heather's note, Dieter's interest in the Windmill and last but not least Minette's reason for the mask. BLEH! Seems like the developers lost a good idea and turned it rather cartoonish. It was nice that it had two possible endings, and a very useful Easter Egg, but overall, NOT the culprit or suspense I expected. So to quote Roger Ebert- I give it a mild thumbs up.

Donnakaren, thanks for your thoughts on this.

Did you see both endings?

I did! I played twice so I could help another member with a saved game when MaG was gone and finished the game. When you are done with your game, I can tell you what to do, or not to do, to get the alternate ending.

Thanks, That would be great! I love to see all the endings--so I will take you up on that as I progress

There are two endings? I finished the game and found it realatively easy for the most part; and I would have to agree that there are many clues that turn nowhere.
I have played every Nancy Drew game and this was not my favorite, but it was ok.

Hi Donna,

I'm still playing it.

What could they have changed to make it one of your favorites?

The fact that there was minimal interaction with many of the characters of the game for one. Many of the so called suspects were relatively easy to figure out and the ending (which I will not spoil for you here). Once you have finished the game you will know what I'm talking about.

Yes- I sent you an email explaining so I don't spoil anyone's game!

Thank you DonnaKaren I appreciate it very much.

Hi Donnakaren

"Q"

qadventruegames-
I am also a Nancy Drewaholic and was not impressed by this game that much, but it will not stop me from buying the next one either.

When I heard that the latest Nancy Drew was coming out I had mixed feelings about purchasing it. I've played all the games but have been unable to finish too many of them because of timed puzzles (especially the final puzzle). For example I never was able to finish Blackmore Manor even though I thought it was an excellent game. I couldn't finish Secrets of Shadow Ranch either. When I wanted to replay Blue Moon Canyon I couldn't get past the game where you try to get the prospector up a mountain before a Yeti. There are so many more examples. So I've decided to stop buying ND games anymore. It's just too disappointing when I can't finish a game.

tuesday next

I couldn't finish Old Clock- I am not that dexterous with a mouse and you had to maneuver the car too quickly. It is frustrating to keep trying to no avail. You might want to try this new one, however- there are only 2 timed puzzles, and if you follow directions in MaG's w/t for them they are not too difficult to complete. It was fun, but not spectacular. Maybe you have a friend you can borrow the game from?

A lot of people complained to Her Interactive regarding some of the puzzles in the Haunted Carousel- they were very difficult to complete (the arcade games) A lot of older people play these games, and I would imagine that people with disabilities do too, and I think they have become a little more sensitive to these factors.

TuesdayNext, you can always get a saved game to get you past the parts you can't do. Seems a shame to not finish because of one part.

Ana

Ana, saved games are great but if the person sending the save played the game differently than the person needing the same you either end up trying to catch or worse, the save is farther ahead in the game and then you lose the fun of playing certain parts. This happened to me when I was playing Sherlock Holmes Rose Tattoo. I was able to get a save for that horrible dart game (in my opinion the hardest puzzle there is - even worse than Still Life's Laser puzzle). I think Len Green may have sent it to me. That game is very non-linear and he had done many things I hadn't done and I had to redo some of the things he hadn't done. I was grateful for the save but it was unfortunate that I wasn't able to play the entire game. Worse, I think it was one of the best games I have ever played.

Donnakaren - Maybe I'll give it a try one of these days, but wasn't this the game that was breaking up?

tuesday next

One answer is to send your saved game to the person offering to help, have them do the part you need help with, and then have them send back the saved game containing the completed puzzle you needed help with.

Tuesday Next: I don't know what you mean by breaking up- I know some people removed the cd's incorrectly and the cd broke, but I had absolutely no problems with game play (running) or with cd's breaking. When I get the game back from my daughter, I would be happy to mail it to you to try! Just let me know!

Thanks Mr Lipid for that suggestion. It is a good one!

I know some folks broke the disc trying to get it out of the holder, but I liked the way you just pushed down on the middle stem and it popped down and the CD popped up.

MrLiped - that's a great suggestion except what if the person was only able finish the puzzle that one time after lots of trial and error? I don't know if you've every played The Case of the Rose Tattoo's dart game but it is the kind of game that makes you want to throw your computer out of the window - maybe even the printer, the monitor and all the other little do-dads attached to your computer. Since your opponent always get a bulls eye, and therefor a perfect score, the only way to win is to get a perfect score also - and it ain't easy!

Donnakaren - if you were able to do that it would be great. You could just email me instead of posting. Maybe there's something I could send you to try.

tuesday next

Tuesday, I think the person offering to play through the section would be comfortable with that section before offering to do it. Or, maybe they enjoyed that section and don't mind the time spent

I have played through sections for a couple of folks but only on those puzzles that I had found the trick for--

Also, the person offering assistance in getting past a section may be able to get there by editing the saved game (!) rather than actually beating the puzzle.

Ok, I'm going to replay Case of the Rose Tattoo (when I can understand inferno's installation instructions) and I'll be asking you two if you can help!

tuesday next

p.s. I seem to have this terrible habit of hijacking topics. Sorry about that Donnakaren.

Must admit having just finished, I have to agree with all your comments. I enjoyed the experience, but it was not as logical or fluid as some of the earlier games. Too much time spent shopping. Plus an underwater maze... ugh that got me of course!!!

I agree also with the comments! To many NANCY DREW games not able to finish!I had trouble with the decoder in D.W.D typed those numbers in I don't fknow how many times finally gave up and uninstalled it today!!!

Tigger, wasn't that fun!

Cailyn, I'm sorry you were not able to finish. did you ask for a saved game in hints?