Common Sense Media Review
By Erin Bell
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Solve Nancy's latest mystery with help from her friends.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Nancy Drew: Alibi in Ashes
What's It About?
In NANCY DREW: ALIBI IN ASHES, Nancy returns to her hometown of River Heights and finds herself under arrest for arson after a mysterious fire destroys the old town hall. With Nancy in jail, it’s up to her friends George, Bess, and Ned to investigate the mystery on her behalf by interviewing suspects and gathering evidence to help clear Nancy’s name. Players switch between controlling each of the four characters, and must decide how to use each person’s unique personality traits effectively.
Is It Any Good?
Nancy Drew: Alibi in Ashes effectively shakes up the formula of past Nancy Drew mysteries. With Nancy confined to a police station, players spend most of the game switching between her three friends while Nancy coordinates the investigation on her cellphone. The setting – Nancy’s quaint hometown – isn’t as exotic as the settings of some of the other games, but it’s still fun to explore Nancy’s childhood haunts (including her home and the famous desk that players see at the start of every Nancy Drew game). And like previous games, Alibi in Ashes is full of challenging puzzles, interesting characters, and a compelling mystery to solve.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it might be like to live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else. Do you think that would be a good thing or a bad thing?
Families can also talk about fire safety, since this game’s purpose is to solve a crime of arson. Do you know what to do if you ever find yourself caught in a smoking building?
What do you like about playing mystery games? What are your favorites?
Game Details
- Platform : Windows
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , reading , Math : patterns
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , asking questions , collecting data , solving puzzles , Communication : listening , Collaboration : teamwork
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Her Interactive
- Release date : October 20, 2011
- Genre : Girl
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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