The closed-universe forces continuous re-examination of places, suspects and clues, which further immerses the player in the environment. The closed world of the boarding school limits where Nancy has to explore for clues, but that's not a bad thing. Warnings at Waverly Academy has all the makings of a classic mystery: relationship troubles, a secret society and hidden passageways leading to a ton of twists and turns. She has to complete assignments for the school to maintain her secret identity while investigating the candidates to see who might be the culprit. Nancy is brought in to help investigate mysterious threats made against valedictorian candidates at a competitive boarding school that have escalated to real harm. While the ending is a little bizarre, Warnings at Waverly Academy is a great example of standard Nancy Drew gameplay with a setting that feels natural for a teenage detective: a school.
Related: Haunting Ground: The Most Disturbing PS2 Game You've Never Played Warnings at Waverly Academy
Ghosts of Thornton Hall is a good example of what most of the Nancy Drew series is like, making it prefect for players looking for a something a little spooky. Nancy must solve a number of interesting puzzles situated within her environment to open new areas to explore and get information out of certain characters. While the movement feels more point-and-click and the graphics are more polygonal, this doesn't detract from the gameplay or the mystery. Ghosts of Thornton Hall showcases some of the standards of a Nancy Drew game. The game features a number of memorable characters and some spooky moments that keep players on their toes. Ghost of Thornton Hall takes Nancy back to these roots, letting her investigate the disappearance of local Georgia socialite Jessalyn Thornton, along with the mysterious haunting of her family house. Nancy Drew is at her best in the old genre standby of the haunted house. Related: Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice's Puzzles Deserve More Attention Ghost of Thornton Hall Despite its differences, this is still a good Nancy Drew game that can help bring modern players on board. Midnight in Salem feels more like an interactive narrative than the more traditional puzzle game players have come to expect from the series. However, while the polish makes it a great entry point for the modern gamer, it also doesn't prepare them for what the rest of the series is like. Midnight in Salem has the best graphics and the most seamless movement of any Nancy Drew game, a benefit of its 2019 release date and the complete revamp of the game engine.
She's joined there by her sometime-collaborators The Hardy Boys and meets a cast of interesting characters who have compelling stories to tell. Nancy finds herself in Salem, Massachusetts helping an old friend uncover the truth behind a case of arson. Midnight in Salem tells a story of modern and ancient witches and the struggle to push back against sullied reputations.
The most recent release in the Nancy Drew series is an obvious starting point. Related: Best Old-School Adventure Games to Revisit, Ranked Midnight in Salem Coupled with the recently-renewed CW series focused on Nancy, there's never been a better time to get into these games. Here are the Nancy Drew series' five best entry points for those looking to add more mystery to their gaming lives. With a complete revamp of the back end and a new title released just last year, the Nancy Drew games are garnering more attention than they have in a long time. Importantly, the Nancy Drew games have always focused on a female protagonist, providing early representation in an industry that has primarily focused on male-centric stories. The games have developed a following for their interesting narratives and complex puzzles, which are perfect for adventure gamers and those looking for a good story, especially those who grew up on titles like King's Quest or Myst. HeR Interactive has been releasing Nancy Drew video games for more than two decades, with multiple installments each year during its hey-day.