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A Veteran's Review of SHA
Allow me to preface this review by saying that I have been playing the ND games for fourteen years. Over those years, I have probably played each game well over twenty times--the older ones probably over fifty--and I do at least one full marathon of all 33 games (i.e., all 32 and SCK Remastered) annually. As I have gotten older, I have found myself ranking the games, characters, music, etc. in my spare time during marathons, and this year I thought I would write--and subsequently post--reviews of each game while I go through my 2018 marathon (I started a month early but life got busy, so excuse the four-month delay). I have lost access to/forgotten about my previous accounts on here, including my very first one, so I made a new one solely for this purpose. That being said, I hope you enjoy my review.
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Finally, we have exited the dark ages and entered a golden era of Nancy Drew games, starting with The Secret of Shadow Ranch. After devouring the first five games, I bought The Secret of Shadow Ranch, Curse of Blackmoor Manor, Secret of the Old Clock, and Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, so they are incredibly nostalgic for me as well. The former two were bundled together and the latter two were bundled together, so I got all of them at the same time back in 2006. Just to prepare you, this is going to be a rave review, but, in the interest of fairness, I will have to address this game's flaws. Though they are few and largely insignificant to me, they do, in fact, exist. Let's begin!
Plot: Once more, Nancy's vacation time is foiled by the presentation of a mystery and spoiled by Bess and George's multiple flight delays. When she arrives at Shadow Ranch, she discovers that Uncle Ed was bitten by a rattlesnake the night before following the disturbing appearance of a white, glowing horse. The "phantom" horse seems to appear right before a mysterious accident occurs, though it is not initially clear how or why the two might be related. While trying to determine who or what is causing so many accidents at the ranch, Nancy also stumbles upon the mystery of a treasure hidden away by legendary bandit, Dirk Valentine, who is said to be the original owner of the phantom horse plaguing the ranch. As it turns out, Dirk Valentine was in love with Frances Humber, who lived on the ranch in the nineteenth century with her father, Meryl Humber, the town's sheriff, and he left the treasure behind as a memento of his love for Frances. Nancy must discover the truth behind the phantom horse and the accidents surrounding its appearance and find Dirk Valentine's treasure before the Rawleys are chased off the ranch.
Let it be known that I adore the plot of this game! Sometime prior to playing it, I believe I had actually read The Secret of Shadow Ranch (1965 Revision) and yet didn't really piece together that the game was following that same story. (I have no idea how.) Anyway, I find that the story is exceptionally strong in this game, and that is probably due to the fact that it draws so much from the classic book. The love story, the treasure, the Western folklore, and the phantom horse/accidents are tied together so neatly. Neither plot line (i.e., accidents/phantom horse and Dirk Valentine's treasure) feels like a distraction or unnecessary fluff. I'm not usually one for Westerns or Western romances--well, I admit there are a few I can't help but like--but something about Frances and Dirk is so endearing to me. Unlike the previous game, this game combines the history (and historical mystery) of the area with the modern mystery very successfully and with no loose ends.
Setting: Since there are so many different settings in this game and all are quite scenic and interesting, I feel compelled to discuss them all at length.
Shadow Ranch itself is probably my favorite location in the game. It is so varied and there is so much to do and see. The interior of the house is rich with detail! The living room sports some decor very befitting of a Southwestern ranch house, from cattle skulls and cowhide leather to ethnic print couches and cowboys on horses. The roll-top desk, triangular hutch, cathedral-style radio, and bookcases with cowboy boot designs all fit the space so well. My favorite item in the living room is definitely Frances Humber's portrait. The colors are so vibrant--as are those of the other furniture--and the painting is such a great reminder of the ranch's history. The kitchen, however, is even more exceptional to me. I love the 1940s-looking fridge and built-in oven, but the real star of the kitchen is the cast iron stove. I love that the pots and pans are hanging above the backsplash like in an old farmhouse, and the rest are on a pot rack above the island. There's hanging garlic, painted tins, a painting of a horse with a feedbag over its face, and a big metal sign above the door that says "Shadow Ranch." I just love how detailed the interior of the house is without feeling overwhelming or garish. The orange stone floors, taupe brick walls (looks like painted brick or concrete), reddish-brown furniture and trim, and muted blue/red/yellow accent pieces (and really all the colors are muted) are so complimentary and reflect the style of the region nicely.
Once outside, the ranch is equally pleasant. The bright blue sky and cliffs in the distance provide a nice backdrop to the ranch. There's a garden full of vegetables and sunflowers, a red pump house, a chicken coop, a fire pit, and a stable, all of which are charming and well-designed. The stable is outfitted with three adorable horses, and the chicken coop has an unfixed number of chickens roosting at any given moment. The pump house is far more interesting after a secret discovery is made, but in the interest of avoiding spoilers, I will refrain from saying more except that it's very cool. Outside of the stable, there's a yard where Nancy can do some barrel racing and rope a sawhorse. Inside the stable workroom, there's saddles, gloves, hats, feed, diagrams of horse anatomy, and bridles, which makes the space feel incredibly realistic, at least to someone who has no equestrian experience. I just love that there are tools and farm equipment around the backyard, which really makes these spaces feel alive.
The next location of import is Mary Yazzie's store, which is full of American Indian art and weaponry, arrowhead displays, petrified wood, handmade jewelry, and antiques, many of which belonged to the Humbers. Since it such a small space, there isn't much I can say about it, but I do think it is charming and reminiscent of small, independently-owned stores I have encountered that sell American Indian art and crafts. The other two smaller areas include Trail Stop and Cougar Bend, which give great examples of the geography of the Sonoran Desert. I love the petroglyphs at Cougar Bend and Charlie's grave at the Trail Stop, which is just a lovely location and shows off a lot of native plants.
The last two locations in the game are by far the most exciting. Dry Creek, the ghost town, is absolutely eerie, but so cool! Sadly, a lot of the buildings are so decrepit that Nancy can't explore them, but Cappy's saloon and the jail are available to enter. I especially love the artistry of Cappy's slot machine and upright piano. Between the absolutely chilling music that plays, the random shadows and falling pebbles, and the decayed buildings, Dry Creek is a spooky but tangible reminder of the West's history. The other area I won't say much about for fear of spoilers, but to be in a space that would make anthropologists wild with excitement had me on the edge of my seat when I played it as a child. I would love to experience such a place in real life, but doing it maze-style in this game can placate me, at least for now.
Characters: Finally, the era of incredibly flat characters with the personalities of rocks has ended. Let's start with the character who obviously has the biggest personality of the bunch: Shorty Thurmond. So, keep in mind that I first played this game when I was quite young, so I found Shorty to be an absolute delight. He's such a hilarious character I find it hard to dislike him, even when he tells me I picked overripe vegetables or need to go have it out with that one white chicken to get the final egg. He loves to gossip about everyone, and he is incredibly superstitious. He also thinks that he is a grand chef--I guess he must be pretty good to make lamb ragout--and wants to become rich and famous. His yodeling skills are...sub-par, but his sass and gossip levels are exceptional.
Dave Gregory is inarguably the fan favorite of the game and is among the top favorite characters in any game. Why? Simply because he is cute.
Admittedly, he is cute--in fact, he is VERY cute--but I don't think his cuteness should promote him. Besides his cuteness, he is still a good character. Leaving a specific discovery aside that makes him even more interesting, his (unexplained) fondness and concern for Nancy--I can't fault him on this because Colin Baxter exists--and, mostly, honesty and helpfulness makes him one of the most endearing characters in the game. Every time he says "ma'am" to Nancy, I feel like I scream a little bit since it sounds so nice and respectful coming from him and not the teenage cashier at the grocery store that makes you feel like you're a grandma. 
That and when he talks about blushing around her. "You got a steady back home?" Ugh, such a cutie.
Tex Britten is the gruffest ranch hand of the three. He absolutely terrified me as a child, and I mean TERRIFIED me. I dreaded anytime I had to talk to him, and when he first showed up to give Nancy her quiz and put the bandana over his face, I thought he was about to do something horrible to her. I also didn't have the cinch adjusted, so I kept falling off Bob after he put the bandana up and thought it was his fault.
However, as an adult, I find him hilarious. His tough exterior and no-nonsense attitude are refreshing. He doesn't want Nancy causing trouble for him or trying to get friendly when he has work to get done. Requiring her to help out around the ranch and making sure she is knowledgeable about horses before riding around in the wild is just practical and sensible. Every time he says "nope," I honestly crack a smile or laugh. He clearly cares about his job and the Rawleys, so I like him. His "beet red" secret--again, this is too good to spoil--was so shocking to me as a child, and I still wish we had more juicy information about how that secret started.
Mary Yazzie. Poor Mary. Not only does the poor woman get called by her full name throughout the game, but she doesn't have much personality. She is secretive and has a bit of a hot temper, but she is generally nice to Nancy and extremely helpful. I only wish there was more depth to her since she is the only other face character in the game.
The rest of the characters are phone friends, and I honestly thought the phone friends were exceptionally done in this game. I generally don't call anyone unless I need something anymore, but Sheriff Hernandez, Charleena Purcell, Uncle Ed, Aunt Bet, Charleena's Purcell's assistant, and even Geza are so unique and interesting. I also want to mention Meryl Humber, Frances Humber, and Dirk Valentine because they truly came alive to me through the letters and journal entries. Obviously, Nancy can't actually meet any of them, but I absolutely adore all three and am fascinated by their lives as told through their own and each other's voices.
Music: If there is one word that I can use to describe almost everything in this game, it's the word "charming," and that words applies just as well to the soundtrack for the game. The themes heard primarily on the ranch are "Swing," "Frances' Theme," "Ballad," and the "Sleuth" theme, so I will start with them. "Swing" is just a fun, upbeat song that perfectly encapsulates the energy of the ranch. The fiddle, accordion, banjo, and guitar are the hallmarks of traditional Western folk music, so their prevalence in this theme is perfect. "Frances' Theme" is a bit sweeter and more languid, which makes me think of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch on a hot summer day. "Ballad" is even more languid than "Frances' Theme," but it makes me think of petting horses and walking around stables and barns more than anything. The "Sleuth" theme is one of my favorites in the game because it perfectly represents sleuthing. The beginning sounds like someone tiptoeing quickly and then stopping and peaking around a corner. I just love how it continues emulating that motion--run, now stop and look--throughout. So fun! The next group of themes are often heard while riding Bob around the desert: "Lands," "Drive," and "Desert." "Lands" is the only song in the game that draws upon indigenous music, which is a shame. I like the distinctness of the track with only the strong drums and flute until almost the end of the track. "Drive" sounds like something straight out of a Western movie with cowboys galloping on their horses in the blazing sun, so it's a fun track to hear while riding Bob. "Desert" is probably my favorite of the three riding themes because of how well it represents heat. The low, shimmering sound--I can't quite tell what instrument it's supposed to be, maybe different brass instruments?--makes me think of heat haze, and then the electric guitar comes in and all I can imagine is walking on cracked earth while parched and sweaty. My true favorite theme, however, is "Dirk's Theme." That solo guitar is delicious and really adds to the mystery of the area in which it plays. It's not distracting either, so it really allows the sounds and ambience of the environment to come through.
The last few songs, such as the theme that plays during the phantom horse sightings and the Run for Cover banjo themes, aren't worth talking about much. They are fine and serve their purpose well, but they don't stand out to me (though the phantom horse theme is really good at creating tension). However, there is one song I have not mentioned, namely: "Curse." "Curse" is the song that usually plays in Dry Creek, and it is so creepy, I used to have to turn the volume off just to be able to focus while doing stuff in Dry Creek. I even started playing it randomly while my mom was walking by and she was disturbed. Seriously though, those ghostly vocals and sometimes rumbling, sometimes wailing brass instruments give me goosebumps to this day. If that song ever started randomly playing in a public space, I would be out of there immediately. Truly, it is haunting and absolutely perfect for its location of use, which is why it's a totally freaky song! I will use this phrasing anytime a really good, but really eerie song is included in the soundtrack, and eventually I will decide which song is the creepiest of the bunch. I don't think this song is ranked first, but it is indisputably in the top five.
Puzzles: I love the puzzles in this game, especially the ones Dirk created for Frances. I won't run through them all just because there are so many of them, but my favorites are definitely baking Frances' cake, the flower box, and the navigational maze puzzle (again, no spoilers). All of the Dirk puzzles are great, except the magnet one under zebra rock, which is just tedious. The other one I hate, which is not Dirk's fault and I only hate it because the RNG hates me, is the slot machine puzzle. I literally spent over an hour trying to get the correct combination during my 2017 marathon, which had never happened before. I was losing my mind, so I created a save right after I got the key so I would never have to do that puzzle unless I wanted to go through possible RNG suffering again. If the Run for Cover game wasn't so glitchy and annoying (not to mention far away from the slot machine), I might not care as much, but riding Bob back and forth to get scrip for an hour was awful.
Graphics: The graphics in this game get a major upgrade from the previous ones. The characters are very well designed and have unique faces. They also finally have minimal scary shoulder/arm/neck syndrome, which is a huge plus. The skin tones look natural, which is great for Mary Yazzie (who is really a gorgeous character). The environment graphics seem to be a bit better than the previous games, but that might only be because of the new interface that begins with this game and gives a larger in-game window. Speaking of the interface, I really love it, though it does have some flaws. Nancy's cellphone is great because her web searches can be conducted right there without having to backtrack to a computer. She also carries her journal and checklist (if you're playing on junior mode) with her, which can be extraordinarily helpful for first-time players and anyone who plays in the game in multiple sittings. The inventory is probably the worst part of the new upgrade because it has to be closed every time Nancy gets an item out before she can use it. The organization is a bit irritating as well, as the item most recently used sometimes falls to the very bottom. Items can be separated by whether they are hand-interaction items or eye-interaction items, which is nice but not necessary.
Ending: This game has such a strong ending, it might even be perfect. First of all, the lead up to the ending (i.e., using the agate) is incredible , and the ending puzzle is so fun and challenging! After the big discovery, the culprit reveal is also done incredibly well. Honestly, I was so shocked the first time I saw who the culprit was and slightly terrified thanks to the great vocal performance and unnerving animated expressions. I cannot TELL you how many times I got caught--my solution was just to try running even though the culprit made it clear that was impossible--and got to experience The Shining reference that still haunts my dreams. I kid, but I didn't get that reference for a long time and when I did, I was even more disturbed. The solution to the escape is brilliant and the getaway is epic; I only wish we could have done part of that ourselves. The endgame explanation and debriefing letter to Hannah is satisfying and doesn't leave any loose threads, which is even better.
Other points of interest: The voice-acting in this game is so great! I'm not usually partial to Southern accents because I hear them every day, but I think the voice-actors' accents are convincing and pleasant (congrats, Jonah, I actually like all of your characters' voices). Gary Hoffman's performance was probably my favorite of the non-Lani performances; I love Dirk's and Hernandez's voice (way better than his performance on Alejandro del Rio). As I said, I really just like all the performances.
I will also note that this game can be challenging for first-timers, and it is easy to get stuck at numerous points. Not a huge flaw, but something to consider since it is a longer game (which I love).
The Takeaway: The Secret of Shadow Ranch is the dawn of a new and golden era of Nancy Drew games. After several games rife with different problems, it emerged with an incredible story and lively characters. It is a definite classic and incredibly nostalgic for me because, as I've said, it was among the first four games I played after receiving the original five for Christmas in 2005 (not sure if I played Curse of Blackmoor Manor first or this one). The plot is fantastic, the characters are great, and the ending is brilliant. If I were to rate this game on a ten star basis, I would give it nine out of ten stars.
So the final question is obviously whether I think you should play this game. Without a doubt! If you are a dedicated fan who wants to play all of the games, this should be high on your priority list; even with its faults, it's not the worst game. If you've got a good many games under your belt and you're looking for another game to play or if you're new to the ND games, this one is a great length and challenging without being insanely difficult, and it has such a good story without being flat-out scary. If, however, Western romance and stolen loot isn't your thing, I would recommend Treasure in the Royal Tower, The Final Scene, Curse of Blackmoor Manor, Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, Shadow at the Water's Edge, The Deadly Device, Ghost of Thornton Hall, and The Silent Spy (all in my top ten).
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Thank you for reading my review! I hope that my perspectives and ramblings inspire someone to play this game, replay this game, look at it through fresh eyes, or try it for the first time. I should be posting a review of Curse of Blackmoor Manor sometime over the next few days (especially now that I am in one of my favorite game eras), and I will continue to post them as I complete my 2018 Nancy Drew Marathon...I hope my reviews haven't put a curse on your love for these games.
Previous Review: Danger on Deception Island
Next Review: Curse of Blackmoor Manor
Other reviews: SCK STFD MHM TRT FIN SSH DOG CAR CLK TRN DAN CRE ICE CRY VEN HAU RAN WAC TOT SCK2 SAW CAP ASH TMB DED
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Finally, we have exited the dark ages and entered a golden era of Nancy Drew games, starting with The Secret of Shadow Ranch. After devouring the first five games, I bought The Secret of Shadow Ranch, Curse of Blackmoor Manor, Secret of the Old Clock, and Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, so they are incredibly nostalgic for me as well. The former two were bundled together and the latter two were bundled together, so I got all of them at the same time back in 2006. Just to prepare you, this is going to be a rave review, but, in the interest of fairness, I will have to address this game's flaws. Though they are few and largely insignificant to me, they do, in fact, exist. Let's begin!
Plot: Once more, Nancy's vacation time is foiled by the presentation of a mystery and spoiled by Bess and George's multiple flight delays. When she arrives at Shadow Ranch, she discovers that Uncle Ed was bitten by a rattlesnake the night before following the disturbing appearance of a white, glowing horse. The "phantom" horse seems to appear right before a mysterious accident occurs, though it is not initially clear how or why the two might be related. While trying to determine who or what is causing so many accidents at the ranch, Nancy also stumbles upon the mystery of a treasure hidden away by legendary bandit, Dirk Valentine, who is said to be the original owner of the phantom horse plaguing the ranch. As it turns out, Dirk Valentine was in love with Frances Humber, who lived on the ranch in the nineteenth century with her father, Meryl Humber, the town's sheriff, and he left the treasure behind as a memento of his love for Frances. Nancy must discover the truth behind the phantom horse and the accidents surrounding its appearance and find Dirk Valentine's treasure before the Rawleys are chased off the ranch.
Let it be known that I adore the plot of this game! Sometime prior to playing it, I believe I had actually read The Secret of Shadow Ranch (1965 Revision) and yet didn't really piece together that the game was following that same story. (I have no idea how.) Anyway, I find that the story is exceptionally strong in this game, and that is probably due to the fact that it draws so much from the classic book. The love story, the treasure, the Western folklore, and the phantom horse/accidents are tied together so neatly. Neither plot line (i.e., accidents/phantom horse and Dirk Valentine's treasure) feels like a distraction or unnecessary fluff. I'm not usually one for Westerns or Western romances--well, I admit there are a few I can't help but like--but something about Frances and Dirk is so endearing to me. Unlike the previous game, this game combines the history (and historical mystery) of the area with the modern mystery very successfully and with no loose ends.
Setting: Since there are so many different settings in this game and all are quite scenic and interesting, I feel compelled to discuss them all at length.
Shadow Ranch itself is probably my favorite location in the game. It is so varied and there is so much to do and see. The interior of the house is rich with detail! The living room sports some decor very befitting of a Southwestern ranch house, from cattle skulls and cowhide leather to ethnic print couches and cowboys on horses. The roll-top desk, triangular hutch, cathedral-style radio, and bookcases with cowboy boot designs all fit the space so well. My favorite item in the living room is definitely Frances Humber's portrait. The colors are so vibrant--as are those of the other furniture--and the painting is such a great reminder of the ranch's history. The kitchen, however, is even more exceptional to me. I love the 1940s-looking fridge and built-in oven, but the real star of the kitchen is the cast iron stove. I love that the pots and pans are hanging above the backsplash like in an old farmhouse, and the rest are on a pot rack above the island. There's hanging garlic, painted tins, a painting of a horse with a feedbag over its face, and a big metal sign above the door that says "Shadow Ranch." I just love how detailed the interior of the house is without feeling overwhelming or garish. The orange stone floors, taupe brick walls (looks like painted brick or concrete), reddish-brown furniture and trim, and muted blue/red/yellow accent pieces (and really all the colors are muted) are so complimentary and reflect the style of the region nicely.
Once outside, the ranch is equally pleasant. The bright blue sky and cliffs in the distance provide a nice backdrop to the ranch. There's a garden full of vegetables and sunflowers, a red pump house, a chicken coop, a fire pit, and a stable, all of which are charming and well-designed. The stable is outfitted with three adorable horses, and the chicken coop has an unfixed number of chickens roosting at any given moment. The pump house is far more interesting after a secret discovery is made, but in the interest of avoiding spoilers, I will refrain from saying more except that it's very cool. Outside of the stable, there's a yard where Nancy can do some barrel racing and rope a sawhorse. Inside the stable workroom, there's saddles, gloves, hats, feed, diagrams of horse anatomy, and bridles, which makes the space feel incredibly realistic, at least to someone who has no equestrian experience. I just love that there are tools and farm equipment around the backyard, which really makes these spaces feel alive.
The next location of import is Mary Yazzie's store, which is full of American Indian art and weaponry, arrowhead displays, petrified wood, handmade jewelry, and antiques, many of which belonged to the Humbers. Since it such a small space, there isn't much I can say about it, but I do think it is charming and reminiscent of small, independently-owned stores I have encountered that sell American Indian art and crafts. The other two smaller areas include Trail Stop and Cougar Bend, which give great examples of the geography of the Sonoran Desert. I love the petroglyphs at Cougar Bend and Charlie's grave at the Trail Stop, which is just a lovely location and shows off a lot of native plants.
The last two locations in the game are by far the most exciting. Dry Creek, the ghost town, is absolutely eerie, but so cool! Sadly, a lot of the buildings are so decrepit that Nancy can't explore them, but Cappy's saloon and the jail are available to enter. I especially love the artistry of Cappy's slot machine and upright piano. Between the absolutely chilling music that plays, the random shadows and falling pebbles, and the decayed buildings, Dry Creek is a spooky but tangible reminder of the West's history. The other area I won't say much about for fear of spoilers, but to be in a space that would make anthropologists wild with excitement had me on the edge of my seat when I played it as a child. I would love to experience such a place in real life, but doing it maze-style in this game can placate me, at least for now.
Characters: Finally, the era of incredibly flat characters with the personalities of rocks has ended. Let's start with the character who obviously has the biggest personality of the bunch: Shorty Thurmond. So, keep in mind that I first played this game when I was quite young, so I found Shorty to be an absolute delight. He's such a hilarious character I find it hard to dislike him, even when he tells me I picked overripe vegetables or need to go have it out with that one white chicken to get the final egg. He loves to gossip about everyone, and he is incredibly superstitious. He also thinks that he is a grand chef--I guess he must be pretty good to make lamb ragout--and wants to become rich and famous. His yodeling skills are...sub-par, but his sass and gossip levels are exceptional.
Dave Gregory is inarguably the fan favorite of the game and is among the top favorite characters in any game. Why? Simply because he is cute.
Admittedly, he is cute--in fact, he is VERY cute--but I don't think his cuteness should promote him. Besides his cuteness, he is still a good character. Leaving a specific discovery aside that makes him even more interesting, his (unexplained) fondness and concern for Nancy--I can't fault him on this because Colin Baxter exists--and, mostly, honesty and helpfulness makes him one of the most endearing characters in the game. Every time he says "ma'am" to Nancy, I feel like I scream a little bit since it sounds so nice and respectful coming from him and not the teenage cashier at the grocery store that makes you feel like you're a grandma. That and when he talks about blushing around her. "You got a steady back home?" Ugh, such a cutie.Tex Britten is the gruffest ranch hand of the three. He absolutely terrified me as a child, and I mean TERRIFIED me. I dreaded anytime I had to talk to him, and when he first showed up to give Nancy her quiz and put the bandana over his face, I thought he was about to do something horrible to her. I also didn't have the cinch adjusted, so I kept falling off Bob after he put the bandana up and thought it was his fault.
However, as an adult, I find him hilarious. His tough exterior and no-nonsense attitude are refreshing. He doesn't want Nancy causing trouble for him or trying to get friendly when he has work to get done. Requiring her to help out around the ranch and making sure she is knowledgeable about horses before riding around in the wild is just practical and sensible. Every time he says "nope," I honestly crack a smile or laugh. He clearly cares about his job and the Rawleys, so I like him. His "beet red" secret--again, this is too good to spoil--was so shocking to me as a child, and I still wish we had more juicy information about how that secret started.Mary Yazzie. Poor Mary. Not only does the poor woman get called by her full name throughout the game, but she doesn't have much personality. She is secretive and has a bit of a hot temper, but she is generally nice to Nancy and extremely helpful. I only wish there was more depth to her since she is the only other face character in the game.
The rest of the characters are phone friends, and I honestly thought the phone friends were exceptionally done in this game. I generally don't call anyone unless I need something anymore, but Sheriff Hernandez, Charleena Purcell, Uncle Ed, Aunt Bet, Charleena's Purcell's assistant, and even Geza are so unique and interesting. I also want to mention Meryl Humber, Frances Humber, and Dirk Valentine because they truly came alive to me through the letters and journal entries. Obviously, Nancy can't actually meet any of them, but I absolutely adore all three and am fascinated by their lives as told through their own and each other's voices.
Music: If there is one word that I can use to describe almost everything in this game, it's the word "charming," and that words applies just as well to the soundtrack for the game. The themes heard primarily on the ranch are "Swing," "Frances' Theme," "Ballad," and the "Sleuth" theme, so I will start with them. "Swing" is just a fun, upbeat song that perfectly encapsulates the energy of the ranch. The fiddle, accordion, banjo, and guitar are the hallmarks of traditional Western folk music, so their prevalence in this theme is perfect. "Frances' Theme" is a bit sweeter and more languid, which makes me think of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch on a hot summer day. "Ballad" is even more languid than "Frances' Theme," but it makes me think of petting horses and walking around stables and barns more than anything. The "Sleuth" theme is one of my favorites in the game because it perfectly represents sleuthing. The beginning sounds like someone tiptoeing quickly and then stopping and peaking around a corner. I just love how it continues emulating that motion--run, now stop and look--throughout. So fun! The next group of themes are often heard while riding Bob around the desert: "Lands," "Drive," and "Desert." "Lands" is the only song in the game that draws upon indigenous music, which is a shame. I like the distinctness of the track with only the strong drums and flute until almost the end of the track. "Drive" sounds like something straight out of a Western movie with cowboys galloping on their horses in the blazing sun, so it's a fun track to hear while riding Bob. "Desert" is probably my favorite of the three riding themes because of how well it represents heat. The low, shimmering sound--I can't quite tell what instrument it's supposed to be, maybe different brass instruments?--makes me think of heat haze, and then the electric guitar comes in and all I can imagine is walking on cracked earth while parched and sweaty. My true favorite theme, however, is "Dirk's Theme." That solo guitar is delicious and really adds to the mystery of the area in which it plays. It's not distracting either, so it really allows the sounds and ambience of the environment to come through.
The last few songs, such as the theme that plays during the phantom horse sightings and the Run for Cover banjo themes, aren't worth talking about much. They are fine and serve their purpose well, but they don't stand out to me (though the phantom horse theme is really good at creating tension). However, there is one song I have not mentioned, namely: "Curse." "Curse" is the song that usually plays in Dry Creek, and it is so creepy, I used to have to turn the volume off just to be able to focus while doing stuff in Dry Creek. I even started playing it randomly while my mom was walking by and she was disturbed.
Seriously though, those ghostly vocals and sometimes rumbling, sometimes wailing brass instruments give me goosebumps to this day. If that song ever started randomly playing in a public space, I would be out of there immediately. Truly, it is haunting and absolutely perfect for its location of use, which is why it's a totally freaky song! I will use this phrasing anytime a really good, but really eerie song is included in the soundtrack, and eventually I will decide which song is the creepiest of the bunch. I don't think this song is ranked first, but it is indisputably in the top five.Puzzles: I love the puzzles in this game, especially the ones Dirk created for Frances. I won't run through them all just because there are so many of them, but my favorites are definitely baking Frances' cake, the flower box, and the navigational maze puzzle (again, no spoilers). All of the Dirk puzzles are great, except the magnet one under zebra rock, which is just tedious. The other one I hate, which is not Dirk's fault and I only hate it because the RNG hates me, is the slot machine puzzle. I literally spent over an hour trying to get the correct combination during my 2017 marathon, which had never happened before. I was losing my mind, so I created a save right after I got the key so I would never have to do that puzzle unless I wanted to go through possible RNG suffering again. If the Run for Cover game wasn't so glitchy and annoying (not to mention far away from the slot machine), I might not care as much, but riding Bob back and forth to get scrip for an hour was awful.
Graphics: The graphics in this game get a major upgrade from the previous ones. The characters are very well designed and have unique faces. They also finally have minimal scary shoulder/arm/neck syndrome, which is a huge plus. The skin tones look natural, which is great for Mary Yazzie (who is really a gorgeous character). The environment graphics seem to be a bit better than the previous games, but that might only be because of the new interface that begins with this game and gives a larger in-game window. Speaking of the interface, I really love it, though it does have some flaws. Nancy's cellphone is great because her web searches can be conducted right there without having to backtrack to a computer. She also carries her journal and checklist (if you're playing on junior mode) with her, which can be extraordinarily helpful for first-time players and anyone who plays in the game in multiple sittings. The inventory is probably the worst part of the new upgrade because it has to be closed every time Nancy gets an item out before she can use it. The organization is a bit irritating as well, as the item most recently used sometimes falls to the very bottom. Items can be separated by whether they are hand-interaction items or eye-interaction items, which is nice but not necessary.
Ending: This game has such a strong ending, it might even be perfect. First of all, the lead up to the ending (i.e., using the agate) is incredible , and the ending puzzle is so fun and challenging! After the big discovery, the culprit reveal is also done incredibly well. Honestly, I was so shocked the first time I saw who the culprit was and slightly terrified thanks to the great vocal performance and unnerving animated expressions. I cannot TELL you how many times I got caught--my solution was just to try running even though the culprit made it clear that was impossible--and got to experience The Shining reference that still haunts my dreams. I kid, but I didn't get that reference for a long time and when I did, I was even more disturbed. The solution to the escape is brilliant and the getaway is epic; I only wish we could have done part of that ourselves. The endgame explanation and debriefing letter to Hannah is satisfying and doesn't leave any loose threads, which is even better.
Other points of interest: The voice-acting in this game is so great! I'm not usually partial to Southern accents because I hear them every day, but I think the voice-actors' accents are convincing and pleasant (congrats, Jonah, I actually like all of your characters' voices). Gary Hoffman's performance was probably my favorite of the non-Lani performances; I love Dirk's and Hernandez's voice (way better than his performance on Alejandro del Rio). As I said, I really just like all the performances.
I will also note that this game can be challenging for first-timers, and it is easy to get stuck at numerous points. Not a huge flaw, but something to consider since it is a longer game (which I love).
The Takeaway: The Secret of Shadow Ranch is the dawn of a new and golden era of Nancy Drew games. After several games rife with different problems, it emerged with an incredible story and lively characters. It is a definite classic and incredibly nostalgic for me because, as I've said, it was among the first four games I played after receiving the original five for Christmas in 2005 (not sure if I played Curse of Blackmoor Manor first or this one). The plot is fantastic, the characters are great, and the ending is brilliant. If I were to rate this game on a ten star basis, I would give it nine out of ten stars.
So the final question is obviously whether I think you should play this game. Without a doubt! If you are a dedicated fan who wants to play all of the games, this should be high on your priority list; even with its faults, it's not the worst game. If you've got a good many games under your belt and you're looking for another game to play or if you're new to the ND games, this one is a great length and challenging without being insanely difficult, and it has such a good story without being flat-out scary. If, however, Western romance and stolen loot isn't your thing, I would recommend Treasure in the Royal Tower, The Final Scene, Curse of Blackmoor Manor, Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, Shadow at the Water's Edge, The Deadly Device, Ghost of Thornton Hall, and The Silent Spy (all in my top ten).
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Thank you for reading my review! I hope that my perspectives and ramblings inspire someone to play this game, replay this game, look at it through fresh eyes, or try it for the first time. I should be posting a review of Curse of Blackmoor Manor sometime over the next few days (especially now that I am in one of my favorite game eras), and I will continue to post them as I complete my 2018 Nancy Drew Marathon...I hope my reviews haven't put a curse on your love for these games.
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It is so beautiful, and it actually feels like it belongs in that environment. It totally makes sense why no one would have found it, too, which makes it even more believable as the final location. (The music that plays in it gives me all kind of warm fuzzies too. Perfect for that location.)
I have ALWAYS thought she had braided hair. If that is her short hair, don't care look, homegirl needs a new stylist. Even the worst days of growing out my pixie cut didn't look that horrendous. 
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