Customer Reviews

Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The cover says it is for "ages 10 and Up". I would say it is more like ages 12 and up, unless you have a child who stays on the A+ Honor Roll.

There is more area and people to cover than the previous games. A positive note, it is ONE disc. That is GOOOOOD. I recall one of the Nancy Drew games having two discs and I had to a lot of switching ... OFTEN. A negative note, this is not a game you can stop playing a week and then get back into. There is a lot of note taking, impressions of personalities to remember, etc. After 5 or more days, you forget small (but vital) things.

Yes, I recommend it highly, but not for age 10. I also recommend, if the player is around age 12, to send in the card for the game secrets/manual.... Otherwise, your gamer may end up stuck in a spot or two and is UNABLE to continue on without some vital clue. The manual can be used to help over those rough spots.

One more thing, check the system requirements before purchasing. I have heard that some people are trying to play the game on a machine without the requirements listed. (Amazon lists these requirements near the price.) If you don't have the lowest requirements, forget it. It will freeze often.... (IT'S FREE). Then you can go to the chat board where you choose which of the games you are playing, all 6 are listed, and ask questions, leave tips, etc. It won't be long before your post is answered either! Seems as though many people are always there.

I am father to 2 Nancy Drew fans. Excellent graphics and gameplay. I previewed this game prior to my daughters playing through. This one is rated for ages 10 and up which I think may be a little low. Far more complex than all of the previous games. Involves Spanish language and foreign names as well as tremendous attention to detail including ancient symbols for words and numbers. This game is a real treat for the whole family to enjoy but too hard to be handed to a 10 year old. Take copious notes as this is extremely challenging. Kept me up long after the kids were in bed. We have played the others and are ready to pre-order the next release. Truly entertaining, bring your brain, this will challenge you.

Let me start off by saying that I will be 40 years old in August and love the Nancy Drew games. Here is what I rate them and why:

1. Secrets Can Kill - I give it (**) - The graphics weren't the greatest and the killer turned out to be someone that didn't even appear until the end of the game. I also didn't like having to switch from one CD to another.

2. Stay Tuned for Danger - (***) the graphics still needed improvement but puzzles were better.

3. Message in a Haunted Mansion - (****) The graphis still weren't the best but the puzzles and other clues made it interesting.

4. Treasure in the Royal Tower - (*****) - This is one of my favorite games in the ND series. I liked the puzzles and learning about Marie Antoinette. Very Fun Game to play.

5. The Final Scene (***) - This games was alright but I didn't like just staying at the theater because there were only so many rooms to explore.

6. Secret of the Scarlet Hand - (*****) This is one of my favorite games in the ND series because I got to learn all about Mayan culture and King Pacal.

7. Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake - (****) I really liked the characters in this game. I also liked that I got to learn about forest life, different types of poision ivy and lime disease. A very fun game.

8. The Haunted Carousel - (****) - This was a good game but not as interesting (educational) as other games were. The robot was rather annoying.

9. Danger on Deception Island (*****) - I really liked this game because it teache you about whales and how to go clam picking. I really liked the stoy plot as well. The only puzzle I did not like was the matching game because you'd turn over a card but then the match might be on screen 1 or screen 2 or screen 3. Other than that I really liked the game.

10. Secret at Shadow Range (*****) - I liked this game a lot. You get to learn all about ranch life and other interesting facts. I really liked the characters and plots.

11. The Curse of Blackmore Manor (*****) - In this game, Nancy goes to England to help a friend's daughter. Even though I figured out who the culpret was before the end, the game was still a lot of fun! The only thing I didn't like was the parrot because she was very annoying!

12. The Secret of the Old Clock (**) - Like the very first ND game in the series, I really did not care for this game. As Nancy you got around by car. However, you didn't get to see some of the characters. You only heard a voice when Nancy was talking to them. I also didn't like that every time you got a flat tire and had no money you had to but the shop owners bolts and nuts away to earn the gas or new tire. Finally, if a much younger person were playing the game they would have no idea that Lowood school for girls comes from the Jane Eyre novel or other events that happened in history.

I have played all the Nancy Drew titles from Her Interactive, and Secret of the Scarlet Hand (based on Nancy Drew book 125) is the best (and most impressive) of the lot. In this adventure Nancy is the new deputy curator at Beech Hill Museum in Washington D.C. The museum is almost ready to open its most impressive exhibit: a large collection of priceless Maya artifacts on loan from the Mexican government and private collectors. But shortly before the opening, one of the prized jade carvings is stolen from under Nancy's nose. The only clue is a vivid red handprint and a message in Maya glyphs left by the thief.

First, let me say that, as someone who is seriously considering a master's degree in museum studies, this game was an absolute delight! The museum is filled with nooks and crannies to explore: the curator's office, the exhibition hall, a three-storey Maya temple, gardens, shipping and receiving and the lab, filled with neat gadgets such as an analyzer, foam packing machine, ham radio and more, all of which help Nancy on her quest.

"Secret of the Scarlet Hand" simply offers more locations than previous games, more characters/suspects, and a much deeper storyline. Nancy travels to different locations by subway, with a static image overlay as the various station lights light up on the metro map. Graphics are, as always, beautiful. The Maya artifacts are photo realistic, extremely detailed and vibrant. Music and ambient sounds are more pronounced than in previous ND games. The score features haunting panpipes, rainforest birdcalls, and flamenco, along with more ominous mood music-although some reviewers though the music was too repetitive, I found that the soundtrack greatly enhanced the gaming experience.

This is definitely the most educational of the Nancy Drew games. Players must write down references to Mayan language, religion, rulers and more since there are three temple quizzes that Nancy must pass to progress in the game. Since it is set in a museum, the educational elements fit right into the game world without seeming out of place. "Scarlet Hand" is also the most difficult of the ND games to date, relying on a great deal of snooping, reading, Morse code transmissions in Spanish, telephone calls, and beating puzzles to progress in the investigation, but the great story and characters make it worth it. Parents may find themselves roped into aiding investigations and end up playing the game themselves-there is plenty of variety in the various puzzles and tasks to keep the game interesting. Once again, Her Interactive has provided young girls with a positive, nonviolent role model in Nancy, and "Scarlet Hand" will be sure to thrill Nancy Drew/mystery fans, museum fans, and anyone looking for an engaging cultural journey. Not just for kids, "Secret of the Scarlet Hand" is an intelligent, gorgeous mystery with Mexican flavour and intrigue.

My children and I have played all the games in the Nancy Drew series, but this is the best one yet. This is not just for kids!! We anxiously await each new game. This game was so clever and so much fun to play. It teaches creative thinking and problem-solving, not to mention that we have become experts on the "Mayan" culture and Mayan artifacts! Can't wait for the next one--This is also NOT just for girls!!

"Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand" is the 6th in this series by HER Interactive. Each game is full of clues, puzzles, and exciting (and possibly dangerous) adventures. "Scarlet Hand" is no exception. In this game, you (as Nancy) take an internship at the Beech Hill Museum, and when a priceless artifact goes missing, it's up to you to find out what's going on. You'll explore the museum (which includes a pyramid with several levels, and an outside exhibit), and take the subway to visit several other key locations. You'll talk to various people, all the while knowing that one of them could be the thief. It's a really fun game; I've played all the others and this one took longer than the previous game ("Final Scene") for me. It took about 10 hours on the senior level, and I was playing it with a partner. There are a lot of facts to write down and recall, and the puzzles in this game are very original. I was very pleased with the number of puzzles; just the right amount. What I really liked about this game, in comparison to some of the other Nancy Drew games, was that you didn't have to maneuver your mouse so much to find things. In some of the other games, you can only see objects if you position your cursor at just the right angle turning just the right direction. In this game, everything was very out in the open and the game was easy to maneuver; surprisingly, however, that didn't make the game any less challenging than its predecessors. Just another great addition to the "Nancy Drew" games collection, "Scarlet Hand" is sure to please gamers and mystery-lovers alike.

Secrets Can Kill had lousy graphics, but I'll forgive them because it was their first game, after all. The plot was good, the puzzles were OK, and it was kind of easy.

Stay Tuned For Danger is one of my favorites. The plot is awesome, the puzzles are great, and the ending is OK. The graphics were good.

Message in a Haunted Mansion is one of the more boring NDs. The plot isn't particularly interesting, the puzzles aren't particularly interesting, and the ending isn't particularly interesting.

Treasure in the Royal Tower was OK. The ending was cool, though, and if you're interested in French history, specifically in Marie Antoinette, then you'll like this one.

The Final Scene was a good one. It was fun, challenging, and the puzzles were good. The graphics were great, even though I really don't think such a popular theater would be so run-down.

The Secret of the Scarlet Hand was fun, educational, and had great graphics. If you're interested in the Mayans, then this is the game for you. I warn, you though, it has a VERY creepy ending... if you're squeamish, then don't watch the ending.

The Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake was the very first ND I ever played, and one of my favorites. The puzzles range from easy to hard in it, so I never got bored. I got stuck, though, and ended up consulting a walkthrough. The plot was great, and the graphics were awesome.

The Haunted Carousel is another one of my faves. The graphics are REALLY good, and this is the game where Her Interactive began providing cellphones. The puzzles are fun, and then ending is fun.

Danger on Deception Island is a good one. I like the idea of the orca and everything. Very good graphics and storyline and OK puzzles. The ending was good.

The Secret of Shadow Ranch was fun. The plot is good, and you get to ride a horse and feed the farm animals. The puzzles were fun, and the graphics were great, and having that phantom horse running around was great. The ending was good, too.

The Curse of Blackmoor Manor is one of my top faves. The puzzles were nice and hard. When you completed a puzzle, you got something for it. Great graphics and storyline. The puzzles were great, even though some of Janes puzzles do get a little trying. I was kind of disappointed on who the culprit actually turns out to be, though, but it's still a really great game.

The Secret of the Old Clock was OK. Since it is supposed to be in 1930, there is no cellphone. The graphics definitely went down. There are no "I feel as though someone is watching me" moments, except for when Nancy scares herself in that secret passageway. The mini-golf was easy, and kind of pointless. Basically, I wouldn't recommend this one.

Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon was good. They introduced a cameraphone in this one. I didn't like the graphics very much, but the puzzles were good. The ending was fun.

So, basically, from STD to CBM, the graphics were great. But after that, they changed the way they made them up, and the graphics really went down.

The game Secret of the Scarlet Hand is a fabulous game! The museum setting is amazing. You learn about Myan history and art. It is such a fun setting. The characters are perfect for the game. You feel like you are in the museum. All of the Nancy Drew games are creative, fun and educational games. I can't help but play when my kids aren't watching. The problem is you don't want to stop until the mystery is solved. This is one of the greatest games yet, it even moves ahead of my favorite, Treasure in the Royal Tower. I can't wait to see where you will go in future games.

I wanted this game before, but my dad said it looked boring, because there were only 12 rooms to explore. I found out there were more than that, when I unexpectedly go it for '04 Christmas. I didn't really know if I would like it, but now I found that it is one of my favorite games. Nancy goes to a museum for a short job and runs into robberies and more. It is a great game and I am planning to discuss the buying of another one tonight. The game has great graphics and you will be obsessed quickly. I have learned to listen carefully to what the people have to say, and click on things whenever you can. You may get stumped but keep playing, the game is great!
---Moka

I love this game! It is so cool! The setting is so cool! There is a subway so that you can get from one place to another easily. And, BOY, does that come in handy! You end up visiting TONS of places, such a The Mexican Consulate, the hospital, your hotel, an office building, and many other places. You also learn all about Mayan culture.