Nancy Drew: The Final Scene

by Her Interactive

Product Features

• Use your best detective skills to help Nancy save her kidnapped friend
• Discover hidden passageways and secret rooms
• Untangle a web of secret deals and betrayals
• Gameplay divided into three days for enhanced plot linearity
• Ages 10 and older

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005LVWM
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: November 7, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,894 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #12 in Software > Children's Software > Games

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Pop The Final Scene into your CD-ROM drive, fire it up, and you're greeted with the most gripping opening sequence yet in a Nancy Drew game. As the ageless, mystery-cracking heroine yourself, you accompany your friend Maya to an historical--yet dilapidated--theater to interview teen heartthrob Brady Armstrong for the opening of his new movie. As Maya disappears into the dressing room for the interview, you hear a scream, but when you charge in to investigate Maya is nowhere to be found. The question is, do you have what it takes to track down Maya's kidnapper before the theater is demolished?

The most notable improvement in the game comes in the form of the distinctive characters. With each game, the script and character work get better and better. The dialog has a nice youthfulness and sense of humor missing from the previous games. We also loved the choice of the old theater for a setting and the magic theme running throughout, but wished there were more nooks and crannies to explore. Additionally, we had some installations troubles, but Her Interactive assures us that those problems have been resolved, so all current versions should be fine.

A minor nitpick is that the timeframe seemed somewhat limiting. Previous Nancy Drew games had an open feel, there was no sense of urgency, and you solved the mystery in your own time. In The Final Scene, the gameplay is divided into three days, and you must accomplish specific tasks before you can move on to the next day. Though this structure lent itself well to the game's plot, it was also easy to get stuck on one clue. However, you can always consult the message boards at Her Interactive's Web site for help, clues, hints, and general support from an enthusiastic community of Nancy Drew lovers.

Little grumblings aside, The Final Scene really is a fabulous game that goes above and beyond most games out there right now, and is highly recommended for kids and adults alike. (Ages 10 and older) --Ara Jane Olufson

Product Description

Features include:

•Use your best detective skills to help Nancy save her kidnapped friend
•Discover hidden passageways and secret rooms
•Untangle a web of secret deals and betrayals
•Gameplay divided into three days for enhanced plot linearity
•Ages 10 and older

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Mystery., November 22, 2001

By 

"mooshoo2000" (A Comfy Couch) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nancy Drew: The Final Scene (CD-ROM)

After playing all 5 Nancy Drew games, I can fairly say that this is one of the best. I do not think that it was the best for one reason: in the other mysteries, what you had to do next was either clear cut, or Bess, George or Ned would give you hints as to what to do next. In this game, they were a bit tougher on you, giving you clues such as "Start questioning your subjects...see if they have plausible alibis" but once you did...they said the same thing (not telling you that your subject had more to say.)Other than that, it was thrilling and intriguing. Once it DID get started it was so exciting that things just rolled along. It was a great deal of fun, and I will definitely play it again and again.

Some hints:
1. Never leave a room unsearched, anything that you find can further your investigation, and if it doesn't at least you will be sure that you didn't miss anything.
2. Try and get around your suspects, read into their personal lives...do what detectives do best (snoop ;-) )
3. Lastly, trust no one except you, Bess, George and Ned. Never let all of your hopes ride on the innocence of one suspect. Things are never as they seem in Nancy's world, so try and act the same way towards it in your own.

Happy Gaming!

54 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could I give it anything less than 5 stars?, November 23, 2001

By 

Molly P. (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nancy Drew: The Final Scene (CD-ROM)

Like the other Nancy Drew games, "The Final Scene" was great. In each Nancy Drew game, you get to be the famous detective and solve a mystery. It's not easy, though. You have to search for clues and find secret passageways. You maneuver through the game with your mouse, using arrows and magnifying glasses on the screen -- and sometimes, trinkets and trapdoors can only be found by viewing them at a particular angle. This allows for hours of fun -- or hours of being stuck, whatever. (This is what the HerInteractive site's message boards are for!)

The graphics in this game are incredible. The people look 3-D and although they do look a bit robotic, they're realistic and believable. The attention to detail is amazing as well. The scenery is beatiful -- there are cool things to look at that don't really pertain to your mystery, but then again, you don't KNOW for sure if they do or not -- it's always good to keep your eyes open and remember where certain things are.

The dialogue is clever and witty, and often funny and silly (but in a good way). My only complaint on this subject is the fact that sometimes the dialogue doesn't make sense -- sometimes a character speaking to you will tell you to try doing something you've already done, and Nancy (you) will say "OK, I'll try that" -- when in fact you've already done it! Obviously the game's programming can't handle ANY eventuality. But whatever. This is a small thing and it is a small annoyance at the most.

"The Final Scene" is so fun. All I can ask for in the next Nancy Drew game (and please, PLEASE keep making them!) is more puzzles (there were about five in this game; all pleasantly challenging) and, also, give us more game time! The box says it can take over 20 hours. I did the senior level and had it completed in 6 or 7. Then again, I'm in my twenties. (Yes! Adults, do not be ashamed to play this! I have gotten several of my friends hooked! However, I've also played one of the other games with a 10-year-old... she needed a little help but did pretty well on her own, so this is for all ages!) Also, like many people, I've played the other four games -- so I guess after awhile you get the hang of the games and that makes them go faster.

Synopsis: if you want many hours of good, mind-boggling and exciting fun, buy this game. Nancy Drew rocks!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Game So Far!!, November 20, 2001

By 

Hailey H. (Boca Raton, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nancy Drew: The Final Scene (CD-ROM)

I've played all the Nancy Drew games and like this one the best. You see, Nancy has to help find her friend Maya who has been kidnapped. The other characters in the game are good. This game is great because it is a little bit different from the other ones. The start of the game has you watch a kind of movie that tells you what the story is and you realize what the mystery is and that is very excited. My mom didn't play the game but she thought it was really good when I had her look at things or needed help.