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ConnectTheDots' Review
of
--Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake--
of
--Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake--
**Bottom line:** This game is not much of a challenge, but the fun plot and history of Moon Lake make this game a must-play.
Plot
Nancy receives an urgent letter from her friend in Moon Lake, Pennsylvania. Sally won’t tell her exactly what the problem is, and by the time Nancy arrives, Sally’s gone! Nancy receives a call from Sally soon after she enters the house in which Sally explains that ghost dogs have been attacking her cabin at night. It’s up to you as Nancy Drew to follow the trail of an infamous gangster to discover the truth behind the Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake.
I really enjoyed the plot of this game. Yes, there is a little bit of a treasure hunt but I thought the history of this treasure was really interesting. I will say, though, that it seems like the most exciting part of the game happens at the very beginning. There is one other moment midway through that is pretty thrilling, but this game is pretty mild overall.
Characters
There are three characters in this game. You would think that with such a small amount of characters, we would get to know them all really well. I felt like I talked to Ranger Akers the most, and he was the least interesting character by far. I talked to Red Knott lots at the beginning of the game but there wasn’t a need to talk to him later on. Emily, the owner of a shop across the lake, is interesting but I didn’t get to know much about her. For example, where did she get that thick Southern accent in Pennsylvania?
What I do really like about the characters is that they all have a believable motive. I also must say that the voice actors did a nice job in this game. You really get a sense of the characters’ personality through their voices.
Graphics and Setting
The graphics in this game are impressive considering how early on in the series this game is. The environment is very realistic and beautiful. I especially love how the forest looks. It’s sort of mysterious, although not much really happens inside. I think the environment graphics are even better than some of the later games. The character graphics are good but not great. Their movements are very repetitive and have been used in previous games. Ranger Akers’ movements reminded me of Nicholas Falcone of The Final Scene, which is funny because they have completely opposite personalities.
Music
I love the music in this game. I think it goes perfectly with the environment, and I like how the music changes from day to night. My favorite song is quite cheerful and sounds like birds singing, a great match for the forest setting.
Puzzles, Tasks and Mini-Games
If you have read my reviews before, you know I am not a big puzzle fan. I think that if you love puzzles, you might be slightly disappointed in this game. The puzzles are not very difficult and not memorable, either. There are several tasks that you have to do, including searching for bugs, taking pictures of birds, and sorting through files. These tasks aren’t too difficult, either, although searching for bugs can be a little frustrating if you do not catch a bug when you see it.
"The Scare Factor"
As previously stated, the scariest part of this game happens at the very beginning. The atmosphere of the forest and graveyard at night are kind of spooky, but otherwise, this game isn’t really that scary. I think it would have been nice if what occurred in the beginning happens one more time during the game.
Other Odds and Ends
- The ending of this game is another one of my favorites. You have to think fast in order to stop/trap/escape the culprit and it's not a one-click ending or a hair-pulling puzzle.
- I think the second chances in this game are kind of funny, particularly one that might happen at the end of the game.
- If you are having trouble with the puzzles, there are plenty of hints and tips throughout the game to guide you along. Nancy’s organizer is one of the most helpful in the series, in my opinion, although a little slow to navigate.
THANK YOU so much for reading my review! Feel free to comment with your own thoughts. Feedback is appreciated.
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