Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

25 of 25 found this review helpful

A Japanese puzzle/adventure game

PostedJanuary 30, 2013

gingergal

fromoutside Seattle, WA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I love that most Nancy Drew adventures are so different from each other while still retaining elements that make them distinctly 'nancy drew.' Some ND games set around homes or castles etc end up being quite alike and rely on different plot or puzzles to be different, although they are good.

This feels different from the people being widely dispersed - two on phone, one elsewhere and three within ...Show more

I love that most Nancy Drew adventures are so different from each other while still retaining elements that make them distinctly 'nancy drew.' Some ND games set around homes or castles etc end up being quite alike and rely on different plot or puzzles to be different, although they are good.

This feels different from the people being widely dispersed - two on phone, one elsewhere and three within the Ryokan. There is a theme in this game and it's very strong throughout - Japanese culture from modern to traditional and I thought how they did this was excellent. Even the puzzles are mostly Japanese or are well known in Japan, little things like that make this a very well-thought out game.

Sometimes ND games are more adventure with only a couple of puzzles, here there are a lot and as usual you can't skip them. The puzzles you have are -
suduko (quite a few)
nonogram
renogram
memory skills
origami
cryptogram type
tangram
bento boxes (picture puzzle)
couple of timed puzzles
Pachinko

In ND games you always get a couple of games that you can play as much as you want - here it was pachinko which is an arcade/pinball type game and bento boxes which if you don't like the picture you get just back out and go in again and it gives you a different configuration.

If you don't like suduko, nonogram, and renogram puzzles I found out after playing that if you get an easter egg in the game (there are 4) you can actually skip those that are given by one person (although you will have to do a couple later in the game.) There is one timed colour in type puzzle near the end and thankfully I got it on the third try or would have got frustrated as I don't like timed things.

I love learning things and learned quite a bit about Japanese culture by doing a couple of puzzles and by reading things in the game.

There were a good variety of locations and sometimes it's just set in one place - here you go to an arcade parlour, a mall (I think) an apartment, and the ryokan which has gardens, baths as well as the main area.

As it was a bit more complex the plot there was slightly more dialogue in it than other games but it wasn't a dialogue heavy game at all factoring in all the adventure, exploring and puzzles although it would be great if you could skip dialogue once you had read it. I loved it and wouldn't have changed the amount at all as I thought it was interesting.

If anyone has seen "the ring" I think you will appreciate one aspect of it - I loved the nod to that movie with that but if you haven't seen it (and I do recommend the Japanese version much more creepy) it isn't necessary but an added layer of 'very clever and creepy' if you have. Also the obvious nod to 'the grudge' movie and like those movies this, especially at one part actually made me jump and no game ever does that with me. I so loved that Japanese ghost theme throughout (so different from other ghost stories.)

As there was a lot going on, if you are new to ND games to even to LF then do choose junior mode. As you get a task list to check off, and I do secretly miss that playing senior! Also you get to phone Bess or George for a hint and I think the puzzles could be easier so if you don't like puzzle then do choose junior mode as you can't skip them.

The second chance is here as usual, which brings you back to a time before you make a mistake or timed puzzles. It's a manual save game and load game, so you can go back if you make a mistake so save often but don't overwrite old saves.

This is one of the games that have achievements but you don't know what they are till the end of the game if you do want to know what they are beforehand, do a search so you know what to try or just leave it to chance to see how you did! I love them.

I thought this was a very clever, involved plot, and hard (but not in the very hard range) puzzles with interesting adventure game. It's not one of their 'easier' games and if you don't like a lot of puzzles it might not be for you but what a well-done game that I learned a lot from - what more can I ask? Show less

I recommend this game!

+25points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

34 of 38 found this review helpful

One of the Better Nancy Drew Games

PostedNovember 28, 2011

Momocrat

fromProvo, Utah

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

This game was delightfully creepy. Some of the mini-games were really fun. My 8 year old daughter was hooked on one that was a touch too hard and I got to do it over and over with her. I'm sure I'm smarter for it.

As usual, the graphics are great and the story is fun. The grandmother's accent is completely unlike any Japanese accent I've ever heard, but all else is great.

I recommend this game!

+30points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

21 of 22 found this review helpful

Another Great Nancy Drew Game

PostedMarch 19, 2012

Rooobeee

fromTracy, CA

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I have a large collection of Nancy Drew games, both physically and those from Big Fish. My daughter and I love playing the games and she especially was excited to see Nancy Drew in Japan.

One thing I like about ND is that when she travels the world, she becomes immersed in the local culture. Shadow at the Water's Edge was no different. You travel around Japan and the puzzles are also ...Show more

I have a large collection of Nancy Drew games, both physically and those from Big Fish. My daughter and I love playing the games and she especially was excited to see Nancy Drew in Japan.

One thing I like about ND is that when she travels the world, she becomes immersed in the local culture. Shadow at the Water's Edge was no different. You travel around Japan and the puzzles are also Japanese-based. If you love Soduko, Renograms, and Nanograms, then you'll love the minigames here.

Of course, Nancy always has to have a job, and in this case, she tutors kids in English, so you'll have papers to correct.

There is a level of creepiness to the game and there was one time where I heard my daughter let out a small scream when a ghost jumped out at her. I will admit, I also jumped when I came across the same scene. However, some of the scenes and even the ghost itself reminded me of the movies "The Grudge" and "The Ring," which were originally Japanese horror movies before being remade in America.

Some of the puzzles were difficult, but otherwise challenging. Any fan of ND will know that there has never been a skip button for puzzles. That's usually found in Hidden Object Games, never point-and-click adventure games, which is what ND is. So, if you require a 'skip' button, then this game is definitely not for you.

In my opinion, the culprit was a lovable character, but their motive was a bit weak. I was also disappointed that Nancy didn't fight off the culprit, instead just gave the person a slap on the wrist and a choice. So the ending, while there were two different ones, was a bit disappointing.

Overall, this game was a great one and I would recommend it to anyone who is a Nancy Drew fan as well as anyone who's been curious about Nancy Drew or is a fan of the Japanese culture. Show less

I recommend this game!

+20points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

38 of 47 found this review helpful

Loved This Game!

PostedNovember 18, 2011

PhillieKat

fromMechanicsburg, PA

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I absolutely loved this game! The graphics were fabulous and you really felt like you were there in Japan. Even though it is a murder mystery type, there is a lot of fun elements to this game, like riding the train, playing arcade games and helping the one character prepare 'Bento' food packages-a puzzle. I really didn't want this game to end but it had a satisfying conclusion.

I recommend this game!

+29points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

14 of 14 found this review helpful

THIS SCARED ME SOOOOO MUCH!!!!! IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!

PostedFebruary 7, 2013

FastFlyerVidia

fromThe valley of awesomeness.

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

The quality is epic, the graphics are great, and the scariness turned up to a ten!!!!!

This game is rated by many as the most terrifying Nancy Drew game ever...they weren't exaggerating!

If you are below 12 or 13 years of age I do not recommend this game. (Or if you do not like being terrified out of your seat.)

HOWEVER, if you liked to be scared then this will be the perfect game for you, I ...Show more

The quality is epic, the graphics are great, and the scariness turned up to a ten!!!!!

This game is rated by many as the most terrifying Nancy Drew game ever...they weren't exaggerating!

If you are below 12 or 13 years of age I do not recommend this game. (Or if you do not like being terrified out of your seat.)

HOWEVER, if you liked to be scared then this will be the perfect game for you, I know of some 30 year olds who screamed while playing this game.

The only thing I can find wrong with this are the Sudoku puzzles , I had to use a walkthrough to solve them.

This game has plenty of horrific animation sections, much more than other Nancy Drew games, which is always a bonus. (The first ones just had a five second animation at the end!)

There are lots of locations to go and really fun games, lovable characters, and some really funny moments.

Oh, and another plus, is that at the end there is an INTERACTIVE ANIMATION SEQUENCE! Show less

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

15 of 18 found this review helpful

My favorite

PostedJuly 4, 2012

justcallmeamber

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I've played almost all of the Nancy Drew games and this one is my favorite, mainly because I loved the puzzles. I love Sudoku and nonograms and I wish I could find more of the renogram type puzzles out there now that I've finished this game. It was long, but I was kind of trying to draw it out so I could play all of the puzzles, but there is a lot of running around talking to everyone. I liked the ...Show more

I've played almost all of the Nancy Drew games and this one is my favorite, mainly because I loved the puzzles. I love Sudoku and nonograms and I wish I could find more of the renogram type puzzles out there now that I've finished this game. It was long, but I was kind of trying to draw it out so I could play all of the puzzles, but there is a lot of running around talking to everyone. I liked the spooky atmosphere and I really enjoyed figuring out the map, but I did like that you only have to do it once for each location. Great game! Show less

I recommend this game!

+12points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

9 of 10 found this review helpful

Scary and fun

PostedSeptember 19, 2012

hikecat

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This game is scary! Music is very creepy and sad. Graphic is excellent. Fun characters, puzzles, and activities. It was sometimes funny, too. I'm so hooked on ND games.

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

This one won't disappoint

PostedMarch 29, 2014

Huntleyhimnher

fromAustralia

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I really enjoyed this, it was a great story and fun puzzles, some parts were quite hard but we don't always want to just race through a game without stumbling a few times.

I will say it was a bit scary in a few spots and I did scream once LOL, very fun to play at night

I recommend this game!

+5points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

SAW Review

PostedOctober 19, 2013

OhThatsKatie

fromUSA

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure

Current Favorite:

Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse

(49)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

If I hadn't have played "Ghost Of Thorton Hall", I think this would be one of the scariest!! The riding the train part got kind of annoying, but once you figure out the map and where your going, it gets better. The puzzles were tricky even in Junior mode!! I usually finish games in 1-2 days, but this took me a week!(Mainly because I got frustrated and had to take a break, lol) Overall, this was a ...Show more

If I hadn't have played "Ghost Of Thorton Hall", I think this would be one of the scariest!! The riding the train part got kind of annoying, but once you figure out the map and where your going, it gets better. The puzzles were tricky even in Junior mode!! I usually finish games in 1-2 days, but this took me a week!(Mainly because I got frustrated and had to take a break, lol) Overall, this was a really good, keep you at the edge of your seat game (: Show less

I recommend this game!

+5points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

Shadow At The Waters Edge

PostedOctober 15, 2013

niloc031298

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

One of the best in the Nancy Drew series- it has everything. It is quite exotic, set in a unique location. One of the scarier games in the series. The characters are decent, and the plot is good. Worth the money. The puzzles are often, and the one on the back of the portrait is super hard.

I recommend this game!

+5points

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