REGARDING: TREASURE IN THE ROYAL TOWER
This game feels completely different than „Stay tuned for danger”. The atmospehere of snowed-in castle, dim lights, strange sounds, locked out of nowhere doors… Such eerie setting!
But there’s strange coziness at the same time – hum of radiators, silence of empty historical building. It all adds to the immersive expierience that I do feel is part of Nancy Drew games.
It’s also first game in the whole series that starts using the concept that gets used many times afterwards – theme. Its great opportunity to learn something and frankly, just adds to the fun. Placing Marie Antoinette in middle of everything was great choice, she is a very colorful and full of depth historical figure that should be researched more. Debunking „Let them eat cake” made me very happy, it’s such an annoying misconception! It shows respect when it comes to this historical subject matter which adds layer to this game grounding it in reality, something that was lacking in previous game (subjectively).
Then there’s Hotchkiss – very well written and voiced NPC. She’s so eccentric, weird, unbothered but what's most important, self aware. She’s not overly comical in a one dimensional way, she’s more of a comic relief but presented as intelligent and curious. She’s also extremely relatable – her refusal to leave her room while she’s working, losing track of time during it, snacking on many many chicken wings – it all feels real. Her over the top character just makes sense within Nancy Drew world where all characters are a bit extra.
It is an old game that has its drawbacks like sometimes way too realistic way of doing things (understanding how to get into vent from the elevator took me way too long that i’d like to admit) but the castle where it took place is a huge postivie quality. The secret passageways, snowed garden, beautiful (although messy ;)) ) library, underground hallways like catacombs. The character models are on the older side, however there’s something about them that looks more real than in previous games (especially the lips while talking, it was creepy in Stay tuned for danger). The expressiveness is still there but the uncanny valley is way less visible.
The culprit is blatantly obvious from (almost) start. At one point game even tries to gaslight us, make us second-guess ourselves but personally, i dont think it works. The evidence shows that our assumptions are correct. However, i do think that the mystery of who trashed the library is not as important as Marie Antoinette mystery, and that’s okay. It was good writting choice.
As previously, no rating. The game does holds up still even with time passing. The story is interesting, mixing Marie Antoinette into it adds interesting plot. There’s mystery, a bit of danger and humour. It has perfect Nancy Drew vibe. Still quirky, but eerie and comical at the same time.