Nancy Drew: The Final Scene

The most notable improvement in the game comes in the form of the distinctive characters. With each game, the script and character work get better and better. The dialog has a nice youthfulness and sense of humor missing from the previous games. We also loved the choice of the old theater for a setting and the magic theme running throughout, but wished there were more nooks and crannies to explore. Additionally, we had some installations troubles, but Her Interactive assures us that those problems have been resolved, so all current versions should be fine.

A minor nitpick is that the timeframe seemed somewhat limiting. Previous Nancy Drew games had an open feel, there was no sense of urgency, and you solved the mystery in your own time. In The Final Scene, the gameplay is divided into three days, and you must accomplish specific tasks before you can move on to the next day. Though this structure lent itself well to the game's plot, it was also easy to get stuck on one clue. However, you can always consult the message boards at Her Interactive's Web site for help, clues, hints, and general support from an enthusiastic community of Nancy Drew lovers.

Little grumblings aside, The Final Scene really is a fabulous game that goes above and beyond most games out there right now, and is highly recommended for kids and adults alike. (Ages 10 and older) --Ara Jane Olufson

Amazon.com Product Description
Nancy travels to St. Louis to visit her old friend Maya and attend the premiere of a new blockbuster movie at the Royal Palladium Theater. The historic theater is scheduled for demolition in just three days and Maya is covering the controversial story. But when Maya is kidnapped just before her big interview with the movie's leading man, Brady Armstrong, Nancy's night out at the movies turns into a nightmare.

She's convinced that the kidnapper is hiding Maya in the mysterious theater in a desperate attempt to halt the demolition, but no one believes her. Nancy must juggle her efforts between searching for her friend, proving to the police that Maya is really in the theater, and finding a way to stop the demolition. It's not long before Nancy begins to unravel the tangled history of the theater's ownership, a web of secret deals and betrayals surrounding Harry Houdini, the world's greatest escape artist.

Will this information help Nancy save the day? Can Nancy afford to gamble with time when her friend's days are numbered? Play the game and find out. Use your best detective skills to explore this once grand theater in a frantic quest for clues, secret passageways, hidden rooms--anything that will help you find your friend. Her life depends on it. Tick-tock!

Some hints:
1. Never leave a room unsearched, anything that you find can further your investigation, and if it doesn't at least you will be sure that you didn't miss anything.
2. Try and get around your suspects, read into their personal lives...do what detectives do best (snoop ;-) )
3. Lastly, trust no one except you, Bess, George and Ned. Never let all of your hopes ride on the innocence of one suspect. Things are never as they seem in Nancy's world, so try and act the same way towards it in your own.

Happy Gaming!


Great entertainment for kids 12 and up   August 26, 2002
31 out of 33 found this review helpful

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.


Best Of The Bunch   October 22, 2003
Catnip (USA)
27 out of 29 found this review helpful

I was so disappointed with Haunted Carousel that I decided to wait for budget versions of any new games. After reading a couple of reviews for Danger on Deception Island, I quickly changed my mind. I'm so glad I decided to buy this game, because it is the very best of the Nancy Drew games so far, and I've played all of them.
I'm the mother of an 11-year-old son. I played the game as a senior detective and he played on the junior detective level. This game had enough challenging elements to keep me busy and yet was not too difficult for my son on junior level. There is a real, meaningful difference between the junior and senior levels in this game; something that is often missing in games that are marketed to both adults and children.
This game is probably three times the length of Haunted Carousel, and it is packed with interesting puzzles. Nancy must find coordinates for a locator device, open secret passageways, use a morse code device, dig for clams and learn a little about chess, just to name a few challenges she faces in this game. The game also contains little diversions that are fun and satisfying, such as building a sand castle and playing feed the whale, and Nancy learns a lot about whales and dolphins in the process. Scattered throughout the game are little reminders of previous adventures as a nod to loyal fans.


Just finished playing   November 24, 2002
Shannon L. Mccarthy (Atkinson, NH United States)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

This is the first of the ND series that I've played without having to look up cheats a hundred times. Unlike the previous adventures, there were several places (not just one) where Nancy was caught in a "second chance" situation - I think that makes it more exciting. I played the Senior Detective and only got really stuck twice - otherwise the hints were pretty helpful. This probably isn't the game for the very experienced gamer, but if you have played and enjoyed any previous ND games, you will not be disappointed here. It's low on violence and high on creative thinking. I wish there were more female oriented adventure games like this series. Have fun with it!


Could I give it anything less than 5 stars?   November 24, 2001
Molly P. (Portland, Oregon USA)
54 out of 63 found this review helpful

Like the other Nancy Drew games, "The Final Scene" was great. In each Nancy Drew game, you get to be the famous detective and solve a mystery. It's not easy, though. You have to search for clues and find secret passageways. You maneuver through the game with your mouse, using arrows and magnifying glasses on the screen -- and sometimes, trinkets and trapdoors can only be found by viewing them at a particular angle. This allows for hours of fun -- or hours of being stuck, whatever. (This is what the HerInteractive site's message boards are for!)

The graphics in this game are incredible. The people look 3-D and although they do look a bit robotic, they're realistic and believable. The attention to detail is amazing as well. The scenery is beatiful -- there are cool things to look at that don't really pertain to your mystery, but then again, you don't KNOW for sure if they do or not -- it's always good to keep your eyes open and remember where certain things are.

The dialogue is clever and witty, and often funny and silly (but in a good way). My only complaint on this subject is the fact that sometimes the dialogue doesn't make sense -- sometimes a character speaking to you will tell you to try doing something you've already done, and Nancy (you) will say "OK, I'll try that" -- when in fact you've already done it! Obviously the game's programming can't handle ANY eventuality. But whatever. This is a small thing and it is a small annoyance at the most.

"The Final Scene" is so fun. All I can ask for in the next Nancy Drew game (and please, PLEASE keep making them!) is more puzzles (there were about five in this game; all pleasantly challenging) and, also, give us more game time! The box says it can take over 20 hours. I did the senior level and had it completed in 6 or 7. Then again, I'm in my twenties. (Yes! Adults, do not be ashamed to play this! I have gotten several of my friends hooked! However, I've also played one of the other games with a 10-year-old... she needed a little help but did pretty well on her own, so this is for all ages!) Also, like many people, I've played the other four games -- so I guess after awhile you get the hang of the games and that makes them go faster.

Synopsis: if you want many hours of good, mind-boggling and exciting fun, buy this game. Nancy Drew rocks!