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#3 ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍy ʍeticulous ℛeview▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ

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  • #3 ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍy ʍeticulous ℛeview▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ

    Message in a HauntedMansion

    Overview:
    The Plot/Storyline: 9
    The Ending: 9
    Scare Factor: YES
    Length: 6.6 Hours
    The Environment: 10
    Characters: 7
    The Sound and Music: 10
    Puzzles, Tasks, and Logic: 10
    The Graphics and Animation: 6
    User-Interface and Technical Design: 7

    Overall Score: 8.5/10

    Score Gauge:
    Low Score [1]<-----[5]----->[10] High Score

    (1= An unremarkable and disappointing Nancy Drew Adventure. Only for the stalwart fans.)
    (5= A standard Nancy Drew Adventure that is enjoyable, but not exemplary)
    (10= The best Nancy Drew Adventure games have to offer. You will not be disappointed!)


    Introduction:
    The 1906 San Francisco earthquake that struck the northern coast of California is one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States. Devastating fires, which lasted several days, broke out across residential areas. Many perished and San Francisco was left but a hollow shell of what it once was. However, the love, lives, and legends that surround this stalwart city still remain. Fast-forward in time and countless businesses are looking to capitalize on San Francisco’s long forgotten past. Struggling to make her own way in this booming enterprise Rose Green, a friend of Hannah Gruen, hopes to open up her own bed and breakfast. Hannah insists that Nancy go and visit her long-time friend to see if she can assist her with the renovations of a Victorian mansion! Despite this promising vacation, once Nancy sets foot on the property it’s apparent that something unnatural is afoot. Who or what would deliberately come between Rose and her dreams? Spirits inhabit these halls. In every corner long shadows lurk. Unearthly sounds issue from within and restless beings meddle in the affairs of humans. Accidents are sabotaging Rose’s renovation efforts and if Nancy doesn’t work quickly, history’s fiery past may just come back to repeat itself. Keep your wits about you. Because once you cross the threshold, there’s no turning back.
    Welcome to ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍy ʍeticulous ℛeview▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ.


    Immersion & Narrative

    The Plot/Storyline: 9/10
    Classic, but thrilling, Nancy finds herself in a dilapidated and haunted Victorian mansion! A masterfully crafted story that is both evocative and captivating echoes throughout these crumbling walls. As the third installment within the Nancy Drew series, it's apparent that the creators have substantially improved in their narrative skills. San Francisco's metropolitan and antiquated past still resonates today and Nancy is eager to explores the site that was once known as “Gum Bo Fu” or “Gold Treasure Mansion.” Whether it be in connecting with spirits, lending a helping hand in renovations, or uncovering the treasures of an ancient bandit's past, one thing's for certain. There’s a lot more invested in this mansion than meets the eye.

    The Ending: 9/10
    This game is one of the few that never lets you take a break. From beginning to end the intensity only builds. The end is really the fulfillment of a series of clues that climax in one final puzzle. It’s some hard work, but when you begin to make all of the connections between clues the satisfaction is extremely gratifying. The thought and imagination that went into designing this grand finale was fantastic from start to finish. I subtracted a single point because I was surprised that the conclusion focused only on the culprit. It seemed to neglect the remaining characters and what became of them. However, if you were a thorough sleuth and followed up with each character throughout the game all of their loose ends are thoroughly tied up. An exemplary ending that showcases the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of the creators at HER Interactive.

    Length: 6.6 hours
    All in all my time to complete Message in a Haunted Mansion is a bit short when compared to other Nancy Drew titles. However, keep in mind that this is my third time playing the game. Some answers and puzzles I recalled without significant deductive work due to previous exposure. If this is your first time playing the game, it is more likely to take approximately 9-13 hours. This length also fluctuates depending on with which in-game activities you participate and what difficulty setting you have chosen.

    The Environment: 10/10
    You’re stuck for good. No really I mean it. You are shut inside the mansion and you aren’t getting out. Fortunately there is plenty to keep you on your toes so that you don’t notice that you can’t even step outside. The game’s atmosphere and environment is eclectic: stairs and cabinets creak; apparitions and shadows haunt the halls; voices and melancholic cries echo throughout the rooms; the clock tolls and drones with every step you take. Even after playing this game three times I jumped and was caught off guard by some of the unnerving events which take place in this dynamic setting. I still believe that I’m discovering nooks and crannies that I haven’t encountered before. While you're busy jumping and running, take the chance to appreciate the authentically and exquisitely reproduced Chinese décor and read up on San Francisco's forgotten past. In the end this Victorian location is spooky, engaging, and quite real. HER Interactive has come a long way since the days of Secrets Can Kill and nailed an environment that will leave you speechless.

    Characters: 7/10
    Memorable, although not remarkable, the characters within this title are skillfully woven into the storyline. Some I liked better than others. My main complaint is that the characters are frequently shifting and disappearing in accordance with their own schedule. This is both a positive and a negative. In some ways it serves to give the characters a life of their own, making the game more realistic. Additionally, when many of the characters disappeared I felt a bit chilled. Their absence creates a sense of isolation within this haunted locale. However, in others situations I felt their disappearance didn’t allow me to have conversations as much as I would have liked. I got the impression that the script-writers used it as an excuse to avoid dialogue. Regardless, these are still well-developed personalities that I only wanted to know better.

    First we have Rose Green. Rose is desperately working to make her dreams a reality. At every opportunity she’ll do anything to make sure that the savings she has invested in the construction of this bed and breakfast don’t come to a tragic end. What possible motive would she have to sabotage her own work? Some have suggested that she’s merely pulling a publicity stunt to put her bed and breakfast on the map. Second there is Charlie Murphy. Charlie… well… the mansion residents aren’t really sure where he came from. He suddenly appeared at the doorstep one day and offered to help Rose with any work that she needed. Inexperienced and working for next to nothing, rumors abound that his ignorance is the source of accidents plaguing the restoration project. Despite his inexperience, he oddly seems to know an awful lot about the history surrounding the mansion. What is he trying to hide and why does he seem to always seem to be at the cause of Rose’s problems? Third on our roster is Louis Chandler. Louis is an antique expert and has been invited by Rose as a consultant. However, when it comes to providing suggestions about authentic design and décor he seem pretty oblivious. His lack of knowledge is quite unprofessional. Is he taking advantage of Rose for ulterior reasons? Last, but not least, we have Abby Sindaris. Abby is quite… well... inscrutable. Turning to the spirits she is a master of connecting with the unknown beings that roam these forgotten halls. She’s convinced that the accidents are the result of ghosts at work and is determined to help these lost souls find solace and rest. Her performances can be pretty convincing, enough to cause one to shudder. But is it really ghosts that are at the heart of this mansion's catastrophes or is there something much more tangible to discover? Mischievous smiles and spiritual blessings aside, there’s much more to Abby than is first apparent.

    This group of characters was a strong cast. I personally connected with Charlie’s story and was caught up in his emotional tale of emerging into young-adulthood. The other characters, while well-developed, weren’t as appealing for me. Plus the phone friends weren't very striking. Rose mostly talks about the house and lacked a fundamental depth. Additionally, I couldn’t tell whether it was the graphic or animated design, but something seemed off about her character. I could never get a feel for how old she was supposed to be. These characters are still some of the more notable within the Nancy Drew series. Perhaps the only reason why I knocked their score a bit is because they really are more of a background variable in comparison with the stellar storyline. They do their part and have moments of greatness, but fade into the background of this mansion's secrets.


    The Sound and Music: 10/10
    Initially when playing this game I couldn’t recall any sound tracks. Naturally I assumed the soundtrack must not be that good. However, the second I stepped into the mansion I quickly remembered why I don’t listen to these tracks outside of the game. These musical pieces are extremely grandiose and beautiful, but in an eerie and unsettling way. As the story unfolds and the music crescendos into a dramatic plateau, I only wanted to sprint away from the ghosts who were after me! Perfectly blended with the unearthly sounds and spooky effects (I must have jumped a record of 9 times in this game), this game’s score will leave you on the edge of your seat. In Nancy’s main room the touch of oriental music, combined with clarinet and piano, will have you both ill at ease and in awe. An exemplary score that should inspire future games!

    Game Mechanics & Design:

    Puzzles, Tasks, and Logic: 10/10
    HER Interactive is truly beginning to perfect their signature Nancy Drew experience. Improving substantially from its two predecessors, Message in a Haunted Mansion will have you think outside the box in order to make the best of all of your clues. Some clues can be used more than once, and never are you confronted with some tacky mini-game. To uncover all the secrets in this mansion you’re going to have to scour every nook and cranny, uncover every hideaway, and search every passage to get to the bottom of this haunting (to do this you might have to brush up on your Chinese literacy!). From start to finish every object, puzzle, and task is interconnected. It is almost impossible for me to separate the puzzles from the narrative as you simply flow from one thing to the next. In contemporary Nancy Drew titles I truly miss the creativity that is prominent within the activities and puzzles of this adventure. The creators were extremely meticulous in designing this case and their hard work is self-evident in everything that you do. For a job well done, especially considering the scope of inter-connectivity, a perfect score.

    The Graphics and Animation: 6/10
    Comparatively to Stay Tuned for Danger, the characters aren’t waxy. Some notable improvements were made in the use of texture, lighting, and shadows. Chinese tapestries and décor were beautifully wrought and the Victorian style is aesthetically appealing. All in all Nancy has come a long ways from the 2-D days of the original Secrets Can Kill. For a game designed in 2000, it’s holding its head up fairly well. I think in the next couple of games we’ll see great strides towards polishing the visual appeal of Nancy’s universe.

    User-Interface and Technical Design: 7/10
    I don’t recall a single technical glitch (one spelling typo, but hey we can’t all be perfect ). Solid! Overall, Nancy’s presentation is getting quite refined! In this game there were a couple of tweaks and additions that I noticed.
    1. From the main menu, users now have the option of trying a tutorial before diving in. This little feature goes a long way in making future sleuths comfortable before throwing them head-long into the mansion.
    2. The short-lived blue magnifying glass cursor is now gone and has been replaced by the more common directional arrows. Some navigation is still a bit wonky, but it’s improving rapidly.
    3. The Master detective difficulty setting has been removed and pared down to the two remaining options of Junior and Senior Detective.
    4. Somewhat similar to the changing of day-time/night-time cycles that was available in Stay Tuned for Danger , Nancy can now set an alarm clock in-game to wake up at particular times. This was an extremely thoughtful addition to the game and goes a long way in making the game seem to have a life of its own.
    5. Nancy can now access a journal in her suitcase. This journal automatically updates to keep our favorite detective on track regarding in-game events.

    Ultimately each of these changes were well conceived and served to dynamically enhance the game’s overall experience.

    Suggestions:
    Future Nancy Drew games should imitate the fluid style of this game’s environments. I could revisit a room multiple times and still notice something new move or change. For example, one thing that stuck out to me as I played was a grandfather clock. Early on in the game it chimed and tolled a bit out of tune. Later in the game it instead went about ticking in an irregular pattern that seemed life-like. Furthermore, as I approached it, the clock became louder in volume. If I stepped away, its sounds slowly faded. Details like this are wonderful to experience! Sometimes the smallest of things make a big difference. After playing this games three times, I am still discovering new things! Future games should make me want to come back for more as this adventure's hidden treasures do.

    Conclusion:

    Outdated?:
    Message in a Haunted Mansion was designed for Windows 98. If you are having some struggles getting this title to work on your computer, (Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1) check out either of the following guides for tips on getting it functional.


    Overall Score: 8.5/10
    Ok I’m biased. This was the first Nancy Drew title that I ever played. A friend invited me over to his house and I was hooked. I quickly began my own sleuthing career from that point forward . Trying (but failing) to set my personal attachment aside, I cannot recommend this game enough. Message in a Haunted Mansion is one of the exemplary adventures in the Nancy Drew series. It’s hauntingly beautiful and creative in a form that makes me only want to keep on playing. I bet you won’t be able to put your magnifying glass down. As always, I encourage everyone to play the game and formulate their own opinion. Thank you for taking the time to read ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍy ʍeticulous ℛeview▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ of Nancy's third adventure, Message in a Haunted Mansion . I greatly appreciate any constructive feedback or comments that enable me to tailor my reviews to you as my readers. Additional ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍeticulous ℛeviews▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ of other Nancy Drew games (at least those that I have completed) can be found by clicking on the appropriate links within my signature. Happy Sleuthing!

    "I can tell you’re an inquisitive type, a little skeptical, and that you don’t believe in ghosts." –Abby Sindaris



    Last edited by whitewolf93; January 28, 2016, 07:43 PM. Reason: Version 1.2
    All 32 Cases Closed:
    SCK('98) SCK ('10) STFD MHM TRT FIN SSH DOG CAR DDI SHA CUR CLK TRN DAN CRE ICE CRY VEN HAU RAN WAC TOT SAW CAP ASH TMB DED GTH SPY MED LIE SEA
    ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍy ʍeticulous ℛeviews▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ
    LCC RED ₒₒ▫ᵒ TCC


    Case In Progress:
    CAP

    Check out a book from:
    -▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫´¯`·×-»[иaиcy ∂яεω's lيbяaяy (ℛeʍastered)]--->

    "It's Locked" ~ the most frustrating phrase Nancy Drew could ever say!

  • #2
    WOW! What a fabulous review! First off, I would like to congratulate you on how well you write! I felt like I was reading something from the newspaper or a magazine! The format of the post is also well thought out, and it was easy to read. Thanks!

    Secondly, you brought up some interesting points, some that I hadn't even thought about!

    I've recently started a game in Haunted Mansion after years of letting it sit, and I definitely agree about the details. I do notice new things every time I go into the different rooms. For instance, Abby's or Nancy's rooms are quite lovely, and they take a while to reveal everything, and I'm not just talking about the hidden aspects that move the plot along. I never thought about the grandfather clock and the sounds it makes until you pointed this out. Wow! How detailed is that?! I mean, they actually make it as if we're really there. I guess that's really good planning on HER's part, because as you point out, we're stuck in the mansion, literally. And it is old, and creepy, so having this aspect that makes it seem like we're really there is so brilliant!

    I fully agree with everything you said about the characters, and I too have noticed Louis' obliviousness. I felt that I could have done a much better job than him. Man, even Nancy knew more about the Victorian Era than him!

    The puzzles were quite amazing! I feel like the newer games have puzzles that are too similar to the Hidden Object games that are in abundance these days. I miss the MHM era puzzles. To this day, the tile puzzle is still one of my faves!

    I don't want to say more, becuse I don't want to take away from this fabulous reveiew. I'm certainly going to read your other reviews. You write really well, and I felt like I was in the game! When I continue my game, I will certainly be remembering what you wrote!

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Saraleebread View Post
      WOW! What a fabulous review! First off, I would like to congratulate you on how well you write! I felt like I was reading something from the newspaper or a magazine! The format of the post is also well thought out, and it was easy to read. Thanks!

      Secondly, you brought up some interesting points, some that I hadn't even thought about!

      I've recently started a game in Haunted Mansion after years of letting it sit, and I definitely agree about the details. I do notice new things every time I go into the different rooms. For instance, Abby's or Nancy's rooms are quite lovely, and they take a while to reveal everything, and I'm not just talking about the hidden aspects that move the plot along. I never thought about the grandfather clock and the sounds it makes until you pointed this out. Wow! How detailed is that?! I mean, they actually make it as if we're really there. I guess that's really good planning on HER's part, because as you point out, we're stuck in the mansion, literally. And it is old, and creepy, so having this aspect that makes it seem like we're really there is so brilliant!

      I fully agree with everything you said about the characters, and I too have noticed Louis' obliviousness. I felt that I could have done a much better job than him. Man, even Nancy knew more about the Victorian Era than him!

      The puzzles were quite amazing! I feel like the newer games have puzzles that are too similar to the Hidden Object games that are in abundance these days. I miss the MHM era puzzles. To this day, the tile puzzle is still one of my faves!

      I don't want to say more, becuse I don't want to take away from this fabulous reveiew. I'm certainly going to read your other reviews. You write really well, and I felt like I was in the game! When I continue my game, I will certainly be remembering what you wrote!
      Thank you for your kind words. It's always amazing how the smallest of details can drastically change the ambiance of a Nancy Drew mystery. That's my goal with these reviews- to magnify the small details that are easy to miss. At the moment I only have 6 or so comprehensive reviews. If you're interested: Secrets Can Kill (Remastered); Stay Tuned for Danger; Message in a Haunted Mansion; Treasure in the Royal Tower; The Phantom of Venice; and Warnings at Waverly Academy. I do have other ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍeticulous ℛeviews▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ , however, they were completed many years ago- and in my opinion- aren't near as thorough or mature in thought. But if you would like to look at them they are as follows (you've been warned they are from roughly 3-4 years ago, I'm working to revise and re-publish them when I have time): Dossier: Lights, Cameras, Curses; Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake; The Haunting of Castle Malloy; Ransom of the Seven Ships; Trail of the Twister.

      Thanks for taking the time to read my review (I know I get a bit carried away ). As always let me know if there is anything I can do to improve.
      All 32 Cases Closed:
      SCK('98) SCK ('10) STFD MHM TRT FIN SSH DOG CAR DDI SHA CUR CLK TRN DAN CRE ICE CRY VEN HAU RAN WAC TOT SAW CAP ASH TMB DED GTH SPY MED LIE SEA
      ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒʍy ʍeticulous ℛeviews▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ
      LCC RED ₒₒ▫ᵒ TCC


      Case In Progress:
      CAP

      Check out a book from:
      -▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫ᵒᴼᵒ▫ₒₒ▫´¯`·×-»[иaиcy ∂яεω's lيbяaяy (ℛeʍastered)]--->

      "It's Locked" ~ the most frustrating phrase Nancy Drew could ever say!

      Comment

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