Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge

Product Details

Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge From Her Interactive List Price: $19.99 Price: $19.82 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Ships from and sold by Amazon.com 9 new or used available from $16.95 Average customer review:

Product Description

Traditional Japanese family ryokans (inns) are charming places, but a vengeful ghost is terrifying you and other unsuspecting guests. Is there a shadowy specter haunting the placid inn or is something far more sinister driving away business?

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #252 in Video Games
• Brand: Her Interactive
• Model: 23
• Released on: 2010-10-19
• ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
• Platforms: Windows Vista, Mac OS X Intel, Windows 7, Windows XP, Mac OS X
• Format: CD-ROM
• Dimensions: .0 pounds

Features

• Take risks without starting over-the game as action will automatically return the player to the point before a fatal mistake
• Play as Nancy Drew in a point-and-click mystery as you prepare to encounter her scariest case to date
• Immerse yourself in Japanese culture by learning about origami, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy, and play fun Japanese mini-games such as pachinko and Sudoku
• Create custom anime-style avatars for your in-game phone, and use it to take in-game pictures
• Choose from two difficulty settings (Jr. or Sr. Detective) to allow players of all skill levels to solve the mystery

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description

Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge is the 23rd release in "Her Interactive's" popular single player Nancy Drew mystery game series. Compatible with both PC and Macintosh computer platforms, Shadow at the Water's Edge finds Nancy and pals Bess and George investigating the haunting of a traditional inn in Kyoto, Japan. Along the way she and players of the game find that things are not quite what they seem. Additional features include immersion via the game into elements of Japanese culture, the ability to use in-game cell phone technology in sleuthing, two difficulty levels and more.

Story and Gameplay

Traditional Japanese family ryokans (inns) are usually charming places, but one such place in the ancient and one-time Imperial capital city of Kyoto is proving to be far from that. Run by the Shimizu family, this ryokan is said to be haunted by a vengeful ghost that is terrifying the unsuspecting guests.

Investigate the mystery of a haunting in old Kyoto. View larger.

Visiting Japan with her best friends, Bess Marvin and George Fayne, as a reward for previous sleuthing duties, Nancy Drew hears of these strange happenings and takes it on herself to dig into this paranormal mystery. Along with the rumor of a ghost she also finds a family torn by a recent death, two sisters with very different attitudes toward the family business, a grandmother firmly rooted in traditional Japanese culture, and more. Is there a shadowy specter haunting the placid inn or is something far more sinister driving away business? Nancy and you are on the case. Gameplay features include point and click movement throughout the game, puzzle-solving, interrogation of characters, Junior or Senior Detective difficulty levels, immersion into aspects of Japanese culture including origami, tea ceremonies and calligraphy, and in-game cell phone functionality that includes photography and the ability to create anime style avatars representing characters.

Key Game Features

• Play as Nancy Drew in a point-and-click mystery as you prepare to encounter her scariest case to date
• Immerse yourself in Japanese culture by learning about origami, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy
• Create custom anime-style avatars for your in-game phone
• Choose from two difficulty settings (Jr. or Sr. Detective) to allow players of all skill levels to solve the mystery
• Take pictures of possible evidence and play games on your cell phone
• Take risks without starting over-the game as action will automatically return the player to the point before a fatal mistake

System Requirements

	PC:	Mac:
OS:	Windows XP/Vista	OS X 10.5.8 Leopard/10.6.3 Snow Leopard
Processor:	1 GHz or greater Pentium or equivalent CPU	Intel processor
RAM:	256 MB	512 MB or more
Hard Drive:	1 GB	1.1 GB or more
Video Card:	32 MB DirectX 9.0 compatible video card	Intel GMA 950, ATI X1600, NVIDIA 7300 graphics card or better
Other:	Mouse, keyboard, CD-ROM drive

Additional Screenshots

Interrogate characters. View larger.

Diverse sleuthing environments. View larger.

Special cell functionality. View larger.

2 difficulty levels. View larger.

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Customer Reviews

There's A Secret In Every 'Shadow' That Will Keep You On 'Edge' Nancy Drew 23: Shadow At The Water's Edge -Before I Begin... My review will be spilt up into sections and have a in-depth look at that topic. Then at the end of the review I round up the stars and give an overall rating. -Interface The interface is very simple, intuitive, and has not been changed from the latest release. Nancy's cell phone is a key element in the game: you use it to call off-screen characters, receive text messages, call for clues, and send pictures. Having the cell phone is very fun and a great addition to the overall gameplay. You can make avatars for your characters and even add phone charms to the side. Other than the cell phone, nothing of the interface has been substantially changed. Take a look at your checklist and journal for help during the case. ***** -Plot The plot of this game is simply phenomenal and well thought out. Nancy Drew, is staying at the Ryokan Hiei, a traditional Japanese inn where a ghost is haunting guests and making things very difficult for the family running it. I won't go too much into the plot because you have to see it for yourself. There were lots of times during the game where I was wondering if the ghost was fake or actually real. There is plenty of evidence, but also some unexplainable events that can sway you to believing or not. I really liked how the plot developed and got even more dangerous as you continued on throughout the game. There were plenty of red herrings and twists that kept you on your toes, I was surprised when the game ended. ***** -Characters There are only four characters that you see face-to-face in this game but they are absolutely great and well-developed. I was happy to see that each character had its own quirks and different relationships in the family. The fact that the whole cast of characters was basically a family lead to some very interesting conversations. There was even a bit of romance between two characters, Miwako Shimizu and Rentaro Aihara, which was entertaining to analyze from both perspectives of the relationship. There are also the other characters of: older sister Yumi Shimizu, and grandma Takae Nagai. Yumi, the rebellious older sister to Miwako, runs her own bento stand in the bustling city of Matsue and wants nothing to do with the Ryokan Hiei that her family has owned for generations. Miwako is a stressed and overworked younger sister who fell in love with her childhood friend Rentaro. Rentaro is the unofficial handyman of the Ryokan and is very goofy and geeky. Finally the grandma Takae is very serious about Japenese tradition and loves the Ryokan with all her heart. As you play the game you will find that some characters have stronger motives than others, but all have secrets to hide. ***** -Setting & Graphics The graphics are just outstanding this time around. Every scene is so beautifully detailed, I found myself walking very slowly through the environments just to take in all the eye candy. I really imagined myself in Japan from the bustling, bright cities, to the quaint and picturesque (oh and creepy) gardens of the Ryokan Hiei. Her Interactive really outdid themselves with the graphics in this game, even the characters have such a lifelike quality to them. There were so many environments to explore. The game includes the main location of the Ryokan (which is huge), and three city locations: the Technology Expo/Bento Stand, Yumi's apartment, and the Pachinko Parlor. I felt like there was plenty to see and do without having to get lost in all the different locations. ***** -Puzzles/Activities Gone are the chores that we saw in the last release Trail of the Twister, this game has all organic puzzles that make sense to the game and aren't just busy work assigned to do by others. There were a lot of puzzles that I found pretty challenging but fun at the same time. You also play some traditional Japenese brain games like sodoku and renograms, and nonograms. I would say that this game is somewhat puzzle heavy, but it doesn't take away from the mystery. The only thing I sort of didn't like was there was a bit of repetition of puzzles, like doing a nonogram & sodoku in the beginning and ending up having to do bigger, harder, versions later. But still, even the repetition made sense in the context of the game. Also if some of the puzzles are taxing on your brain you can go play some pachinko or make some Bento with Yumi for a phone charm. There was always something for the player to do if you just wanted to take a break from the mystery which I thought was great. Another thing I loved was the amount of snooping. You get to do PLENTY of snooping, mostly at the middle of the night. It was so much fun to explore every nook and cranny and get new evidence on your own when nobody is watching. ***** -Ending The ending was split into to two parts, similarly to Trail of the Twister. It was scary and heart pounding for sure. The "catching of the culprit" was logical yet pretty simple, and you get two options that affect the end scene, which was nice. I felt like the second part of the ending could have been just a bit more dramatic and a level scarier. But the conclusion/wrap-up of the mystery was all worth it, especially since everything was explained. A great way to end the game though, I felt happy and that I accomplished something. ***** -Scare Factor So this game is probably the scariest Nancy Drew game to date. I don't want to spoil your scare but be prepared for spooky music, eerie locations, and hauntings from a very "Grudge" like ghost. There are multiple scary moments in this game that keep your heart racing, which I just loved. There are also a lot of bad Japenese omens that Nancy gets. I was definitely freaked out during the course of the game. I would definitely recommend playing this game in the dark, at night, or on Halloween for the ultimate scariness. Everything from the ghost to the actual story behind it brought shivers down my spine. Granted this is only an E-10+ game, so there is no blood, gore, or intense violence. So if you are worried about kids being scarred for life, it won't happen with this game. But I would definitely recommend this game to the recommended 10+ age range so they can actually understand what the back-story is, and not get extremely frightened by this game. ***** -Overall I can honestly say that this Nancy Drew game has to be the best one out there. Everything about it was exceptional. The characters, plot, setting, graphics were all very well-developed and intricate. I was impressed by all the different aspects and how it was all pulled together in one nicely organized mystery. Her Interactive really brought back all the elements of a great game that fans have been missing. If you are already a fan of these games, I recommend this game with no question that you will enjoy it (unless for some reason you hate Japan or are very easily scared). If you are mystery game fan, than this is a great game to get you started on the Nancy Drew game series. I just loved this game because: it was really long (12+ hours of gameplay), the setting was beautiful, the puzzles were challenging but fun, it was pretty scary, the characters' personalities were multi-dimensional, and the plot was involved yet focused. This game is literally my most favorite of the whole series, they put every different thing I liked about all of the Nancy Drew games and melded it together to make an all around great mystery. This is the first Nancy Drew game that I have given 5 stars in each category, and it rightfully deserves it. I am so excited for the next installment of the series: Nancy Drew 24: The Captive Curse, taking place in a castle in Germany! Add all these up and divide by 7... 5 *'s (Interface) 5 *'s (Plot) 5 *'s (Characters) 5 *'s (Setting & Graphics) 5 *'s (Puzzles/Activites) 5 *'s (Scare Factor) 5 *'s (Ending) = 35 Stars Divide By 7 (Categories) = 5 Stars -Recommended Games Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED (See my review of this game) Warnings At Waverly Academy (See my review of this game) The Phantom Of Venice (See my review of this game) Danger On Deception Island Thanks for reading my review! A fine return to form in Nancy's 23rd outing... Shadow at the Water's Edge (SAW) is Nancy Drew's 23rd mystery with Her Interactive, and it's one of the most impressive in terms of story, puzzles, and spooky ambience. Nancy is taking a well-deserved vacation at the Ryokan Hiei, a traditional inn in Kyoto, Japan. From the moment Nancy arrives, there are spooky omens, and the Shimizu family isn't very talkative about the family tragedy that hangs over the ryokan. Part of Nancy's job is to teach English through the Japan Teacher Exchange program, so you'll have various homework assignments to grade in the evenings. Because you're teaching all day, the game takes place at night, adding to the creepy atmosphere. Shadow at the Water's Edge is one of the scariest games next to Curse of Blackmoor Manor (note that the game is rated E (10+), so there's no gore or violence, but there are some heart-stopping moments). Various paranormal phenomena follow Nancy as she attempts to discover the secrets hiding inside the ryokan, and these were genuinely scary, since several were still unexplained after the finale. This is also one of the longest Nancy Drew games, with ample opportunity for sleuthing, snooping, and interviewing. You'll have the opportunity to hop on the subway as well as conduct phone interviews in your quest for the truth behind the hauntings. The game designers did a good job on incorporating Japanese culture into the game. You'll find Harajuku-inspired fashion, traditional Japanese gardens, cute cell phone charms, and customizable cell phone avatars that you can assign to your cell contacts (design enough, and you can win an award at the end of the game). I loved the little authentic touches, like the very Japanese hot water heater perched over Yumi's apartment sink. Nancy also has a Japanese-English dictionary to help her translate written items. The in-game music ranges from soothing, traditional Japanese instrumentals to ominous taiko drumming and sudden, eerie starts and stops that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Gameplay is nonlinear. You can advance the game by setting your cell phone alarm; some actions can only be accomplished at certain times. There are numerous logic puzzles based on Japanese favorites like sudoku, renograms, and nonograms, along with several Japanese cultural lessons offered. If you're not a fan of sudoku and math puzzles, consider yourself warned, as you'll spend most of the game solving a variety of them. This is also one of the more difficult Nancy Drew games; I played the game on the Junior level, and ended up resorting to a walkthrough. Because of the two difficulty levels (Junior and Senior Detective), length of the game and the many opportunities for exploration (including at least three Easter eggs), the replay value is high. The team at Her Interactive obviously listened to fan feedback; gone are the endless list of chores and filler puzzles (you have the option to complete additional puzzles, but aren't required to do so). Nancy actually gets to snoop around...at night. There's a definite sense of danger; you can die, but there's a handy second chance feature. All of the suspects have something to hide; you'll find your opinion constantly changing based on what you unearth in your explorations. The finale (there are two possible endings based on how you react) was satisfying, as was the trailer for the next game in the series. This is the perfect game to play on Halloween and a fine return to form for Her Interactive. Plot and Puzzles Shadow At The Water's Edge is
well worth picking up if you're interested in Japan or number puzzles.

The
motives of all of the suspects revolve around the management of a
traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan). Each character has his or her own
reasons to want to drive off business. Lessons by the eldest member of
the family provide a look at traditional arts: writing, origami, and the
tea ceremony. The younger generations display facets of present
Japanese culture: robot pets, individual fashion design, and an
obsession with cuteness.

Aside from that, this game has numerous
optional puzzles in the form of nonograms, sudoku, renograms, and the
bento box challenges. To move the plot along, you'll have to solve a
couple of these types of puzzles, but the game has many more available,
which seems like a great way to please fans who love puzzles without
irritating fans who want the plot to move along.

And this is a
great pre-Halloween release, as it really does have some scary moments
with an appropriately scary soundtrack.

Despite the fact that the
plot was good, it was also flawed in that a lot of it was triggered. I
didn't need a walkthrough for the puzzles, I needed a walkthrough to
tell me that things I couldn't do before were now available to me, or to
go badger someone I thought I was done talking to because all of my
questions had been answered and there was no reason to think there would
be new information on the exact same subjects.

I was also a bit flummoxed near the end when Nancy went to speak to one of the suspects I had absolutely ruled out as being behind the haunting, and point blank accused that suspect during a dialog I did not control. (And no this wasn't a final confrontation, nor was it the actual culprit, it just appeared to be Nancy acting in a weirdly inappropriate way that I wouldn't have wanted her to if I had had any choice in the matter.) I would really like some way of eliminating suspects through gameplay and evidence gathering, as that hasn't happened in the most recent two games.