Nancy Drew Midnight in Salem

[JKEerie]

I have not as yet started this game. I pre-ordered it from HerInteractive...a hard copy...to take advantage of the free game guide. I got my order confirmation from Herinteractive and updates on shipping. The game arrived on schedule with no delays or issues.

I just installed it on my new Asus ROG 531GU and it installed right away and started up right away! I only watched the opening graphics...but the display and sound are pretty darn good on my new laptop.

I want to finish the new Mystery Case Files before I dive into this one but I'll post more impressions when I do.

[draclvr]

I am looking forward to hearing about MIS as it has been widely panned as awful. You are one of the few who received their hard copy on time or even at all!

[JKEerie]

Well...I spent the last several days finally playing Midnight in Salem. I enjoyed it, though the game came with the usual "chores" I detest in ND games. Voice acting was excellent as was the plot. The navigation wasn't too bad, albeit the 360 movement made it difficult to locate some very subtle hotspots. Also, night exploration in the woods was more difficult in the dark with the 360 movement. It was easy to get lost and have to backtrack. I did have access to the game guide since I preordered the game directly from Herinteractive. I needed it as I knew what to do, but couldn't locate the hotspot to find the clue. Some of the puzzles were really interesting. You could switch between amateur and master at any time which came in handy on one puzzle where you had to match wavelengh patterns. Turning the dials on the instrument was not easy with the mouse (really clunky) and was more straightforward on amateur mode. I did manage to kill Nancy, as well as the Hardy Boys a couple of times. Some of the puzzle solutions I stumbled on just with trial and error and some dumb luck. All in all, I enjoyed the game.

[draclvr]

I'm really glad to hear you liked it! There were lots of complaints about so many things after the new management at Her Interactive took over and fired Lani Minellla.

[JKEerie]

It's funny, as much as Lani Minelli has been THE voice of Nancy Drew, I didn't really miss her. The new voice actress was quite good.

[draclvr]

If there was one bright spot with opinions, it was that the voice acting was excellent.

[Ghostlady]

I just bought this tonight. JKErie thanks for the advice on ordering it from HerInteractive to get the free game guide. I haven’t played a Nancy Drew game in years. I am looking forward to it.

[JKEerie]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, GL!

[Ghostlady]

I’ll be sure to let you know

[Ghostlady]

I am halfway into the game and enjoying it. I got to carve pumpkins and put them out in different places. I got to walk through a graveyard at night, not to much beats that. I am seeing beautiful Autumn scenes which is different. I actually like the voice acting for Nancy and the game seems really updated and current for the time. What I don't like is the movement. Sometimes you have to backup and turn around to get to a hotspot.

[draclvr]

I am SO glad to hear you are enjoying this game! After all the negative reviews and awful customer service several months ago, it sounds hopeful that the games may even continue.

[Ghostlady]

What didn't they like about it?

[JKEerie]

You know, GL, I don't understand all the negative reviews. I didn't find it that much different than other Nancy Drew games. The movement was a little awkward in spots like you said, but it was easy to get used to. I enjoyed it as much as any of the NDs.

[draclvr]

Waiting 5 years for the game; no plot; no puzzles; dialogue was awful; no technical support; games not sent out; people out of their money. It pretty much ran the gamut of awfulness. There was a huge uproar about the change in management and the "abandoning" of the fans. I don't follow the games or play them, so I can' t comment with anything other than what I've read on many forums.

[JKEerie]

Uh...I understand the frustration that the game took forever to be released. However...the plot was excellent. There were puzzles...a couple quite challenging. Dialogue and voice acting were great, IMO. I can't speak to issues of support since I had none. I preordered the game...a physical copy...and it arrived as expected. No...I guess we can no longer expect the usual two ND releases per year. As long as they do release new games every now and again, I will enjoy them.