"Short but sweet, this mystery game is worth a look."

Nancy Drew: Deadly Secret of Olde World Park

Nancy Drew is an iconic name. Everyone knows about this plucky girl detective, solvin' crimes in River Heights with the help of her father Carson Drew, her pals Bess and George, and her boyfriend Ned Nickerson. Nancy's appeared in video games before, including the enjoyable PC games which my sister got me hooked on. That's why I decided to give Nancy Drew: Deadly Secret of Olde World Park a try. I was expecting a similar experience to the PC games, just scaled down to the DS. Although that wasn't what I got, I still enjoyed it.

Gameplay: 6/10

First, a few words about gameplay. Nancy Drew: Deadly Secret of Olde World Park is definitely aimed at the younger set. A gamer looking for a challenge will quickly be frustrated by how achieving anything in the game hinges on completing a gimmicky mini-game. The mini-games themselves are easy to pick up and not unenjoyable to play, however. Overall, the gameplay is nothing special, but it doesn't really detract from matters, either. I would compare it to the sort of grab bag of mini-games you'd find in Mario Party games, although not as imaginative.

Story: 9/10

The story of a mystery is its most important aspect, and it's in the storytelling that this game really shines. The graphics for conversation scenes match what's going on in the story, and the characters, especially Nancy and her pals, are all written charmingly. The plot of the mystery starts out with Nancy helping out her friend Bess, but as she tracks down a missing dress and theme park pass, Nancy learns that there's a larger conspiracy revolving around Olde World Park. The plot is actually rather compelling, and everything comes together nicely. It's a fun mystery story that will resonate with younger girls and Nancy Drew fans.

Graphics: 8/10

The graphics and sound for Nancy Drew are both pretty good. The graphics for the story segments are cute illustrations that, although recycled a bit from time to time, match the action. When you're actually controlling Nancy in the various environments, the graphics don't have the same charm as the illustrations, but they're still detailed and crisp. The sound is good. You won't want to turn off the speakers, but the music isn't varied, so be ready to hear the same couple themes over and over again.

Replayability: 1/10

Nancy Drew: Deadly Secret of Olde World Park is a fun game, but it's quite short. Although I didn't clock my play time, I would be surprised if it took me much over two hours to beat the whole game. Also, the replayability factor is pretty much nil. The game allows you to play some of the mini-games through the main menu, but these games are very simple and generic. You can find similar games online for free. Other than that, there's no reason to play the game again unless you want to experience the story one more time.

If you're a hardcore gamer who looks for challenging gameplay or someone who needs to watch their money, this probably isn't the game for you. I played my sister's copy and enjoyed the experience, but if I had to shell out my own money, I don't think I would have bought the game. If you have to be choosy, pass this up, but if you have the chance, give it a go. The story is fun and presented well, with the graphics and sound buoying it, even if the gameplay and replayability are lacking. It's certainly an interesting couple hours' diversion, but nothing more.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/06/08

Game Release: Nancy Drew: Deadly Secret of Olde World Park (US, 09/18/07)