It breaks my heart a little to see Phantom of Venice on this list because I absolutely love how beautiful the environments are. But you make fair points about the lack of interaction. Totally agree with your list though. I remember being so disappointed with Labyrinth of Lies because I wanted to see Greece but that didn't happen. Also the lack of sheep in shattered medallion was unforgivable!
MID has completely changed how I view museums in real life. Now, whenever I visit someone's home and I see a bookshelf I'm like, "Oh, I didn't know you ran a museum here!" 😂 I was kinda surprised to see where you ranked MID, but you made some really great points as usual, so I can't disagree with this list.
It got close! What saved it was the location (did definitely feel like an amusement park) AND the fact that we could ride the carousel and interact with the games.
Love the video! But I'm so surprised Alibi in Ashes wasn't on this list! I find there's too much driving and of the environments that you can go to there's not very much to do there at all. Nancy's house was beautiful but there was so little to explore + the only secret passageway is at the end of the game in that awful tunnel maze
The most frustrating thing about Midnight in Salem environments is the Museum - there is a whole upstairs area you can explore but it’s totally optional! My first play through I was able to trigger it but I didn’t do it second time and was so confused. Why create a whole other environment that is optional to explore? I don’t understand 🤦🏼♀️ the game feels so unfinished. Great video!! You can tell the exploration and how interactive an environment is really make an impact on how good the game is. Can’t wait for the best environments/locations!! 😍
I've only played Midnight in Salem once and I think I triggered the upstairs area but then I couldn't get an arrow button to go forward so I ended up not doing it. Turns out it had nothing to do with the story, how disappointing
Great video! We were promised sheep! Free the sheep!!! Also, I feel like the top-down driving sections really do not do the games any service because they pull you out and look kinda meh. All that gorgeous detail disappears and it's left lacking. Can't wait to see what the best ones are cause this list made me realize just how much detail goes in the rendered environments even on the "bad" games.
Totally agree about secret of the old clock, the focus on driving and lack of interaction takes away so much, I feel like it had potential with all the buildings! And we barely can look around inside!
I just started the video, but I am sooo excited for this topic 😍 I love discussing the environments!! Here with my coffee, thanks for the morning upload ☕
@@WizardKittenYT I've been meaning to join Mystique Manor (I hope I spelled that correctly 😊) for a while now, and I just did! Looking forward to connecting with other fellow detectives over there! I loved this video. I think the three most disappointing environments for me were TMB, LIE, and MID. I'm a huge fan of learning about ancient Egypt, and I just wanted more from that game. Like with TMB, I really enjoy learning about ancient Greece. I just didn't like that so much of interacting with the museum in LIE felt like it came down to reading books in our inventory. SSH is still the only game to me that has successfully nailed the museum environment. And MID....😩 I was so excited for a fall/Halloween vibes game. Like you said, there are pretty leaves and pumpkins, and I like the spooky decor in Olivia's corner. But, man, I can't imagine what the game would've been like if the real HeR team had worked on it 💔 Great video as always!
I just your name pop up in Mystique Manor!! Thank you so much for your support, it means so much!!! And you helped us hit our goal so I can now purchase a webcam for the channel! 🥳
Agree with the list, but I would’ve put Haunted Carousel somewhere in the top 5. The fact that you can barely go on the rides and you click a map rather than walking to them saddens me
This video made me realize how much my love of the games is based on the environments. Out of all my favorite games, only one of them was on this list (SPY-and the unexplorable pub makes that ranking well-earned). Also, I’m gonna go ahead and make my prediction that Waverly will be near (if not at) the top of the best location list.
Your ranking videos are my favvvv! Edit: I think tomb of the lost queen was both disappointing and not fleshed out enough. I think the only thing that keeps me loving the game is the soundtrack. BUT you're right, the exploration is not there, but could've been.
Loved the video Caitlyn! Thank You for providing an interesting Wizard Kitten Wednesday! Also, I wasn't the least bit surprised at the locations which made this video, they were just so lacking and frankly BORING, with the exception of LIE whose theatre sets left me SHOOKETH. I think most of the earlier games will make the 'Best Location and Environments' video, the earlier games knew how to do things right and convey the vibe of the game while providing interesting clues and not just drowning in puzzles. Great video by the way! 😃
my list of worst nancy drew locations Ghost dogs of moonlake creature of kapu cave tomb of the lost queen Labyrinth of lies Ransom of the seven ships White wolf icicle creek Secret of the old clock Trail of the twister midnight in salem shattered medallion
I completely agree with your ranking, only I would also add Secrets can kill and Alibi in Ashes to the list. I feel like environment/ambiance/vibe is an extremely (if not the most) crucial factor for me, so all the games on the list are definitely not among my faves. Thank you for another interesting analysis video, looking forward to the next one already! P.S. I watch and enjoy all the recordings of your Streamathon and wanted to say a huge thank you for doing this! It’s such a safe and positive space for me and many other ND lovers 🤍
Honestly when it comes down to it, I would say its perfectly fine to drop LIE down to a 1 star on Location specific. One problem with museum settings is that they can technically be set in any country and still make sense. It may look Greek but Greco-Roman architecture is a very widespread concept. Additionally, the play aspect appeals more to a Western audience outside Greece experiencing the myth retold vs. a culture that has it embedded. The reason I can say this is because amphitheaters are everywhere even in rural US settings (my own High School had one albeit with grass instead of pure stone) so seeing a museum that looks like this one especially in the Urban US would not be uncommon. Now if it was being produced on an archaeological dig site of a restored amphitheater that's a completely different story. However as it stands, the setting for LIE is so underutilized that it could flip flop between a 1 vs. a 2 star because museums alone can't signify place. You need the surrounding areas to build upon that and LIE is entirely enclosed in a museum setting. Scarlet Hand sort of does it better but even then it could take place almost anywhere with the only setting that makes sense in DC being the consulate (but you could easily put it in Fairfax county with a train ride into DC for the exact same effect). I can see your point though just that I can also see how this setting is really underutilized and is too broad and universal to set it anywhere as a result (even the jails in the ending are so generic I couldn't even place them in Greece).
Another very intelligent video, WK. I liked Phantom much less than other people. Ca was boring as can be, and I really didn't like any of the characters. Who is the worst charcater to you: Justin or Lou Talbot?
I have to say this I think on area that phantom of venice does better is you get to experience the city there's ice cream the singing gondala captins you get to dance you play cards go shopping you get to have fun and in shadows at the waters edge I don't if you get to experience what japan is really about you don't get to go to the convention not really there's plenty of places to take the bullet train but you can only see go outiside and see three of them the only time I think your having fun is at the pachinko parlor maybe the the ryokan was more intresting than the ca but I just didn't feel like we got to experience japan what do you think
Watched this while having breakfast ☕ 😊 100% agree... the only thing that saved Venice, Tomb of Lost Queen and Labyrinth of Lies was the location and just general feel that I enjoyed but especially Labyrinth was definitely just not credible at all. Great video ❤
I know everyone loves it but I thought the environment of warnings at waverly were disappointing. So much potential with nothing to click on. I recently replayed ghosts dogs of moon lake and I remember this game being so much better before… the whole environment was bland there was almost nowhere to go but the house and the ranger station which had nothing to interact with except endless reading material that didn’t pertain to the mystery at all, and em’s emporium where the only thing you can interact with is a bucket of bait worms. The secret passageways were bland and the game felt claustrophobic to me with nowhere to really go and nothing to do until you switch from day to night or vice versa. Which is something that really irks me in some ND games. I know it’s stupid, but I like to feel like Nancy accomplished a full day of sleuthing before changing the time or going to sleep. It bugs me so much when Nancy has just woken up, did one thing, and then can’t progress until it’s the next day again. Why does that bug me so much!! Lol
I'm always impressed by how big _Stay Tuned for Danger_ feels for being the first traditional Nancy Drew game (that is, one that fits in with the aesthetic of the rest of the series). No, it's certainly not huge, and some of the movement mechanics can be frustrating, but for how much _Secret of the Scarlet Hand_ makes me feel like I have nowhere to go but in circles (even though that's not _really_ true), I can't help but be amazed at how much I feel like I have choices, and different areas to check in on, in _Stay Tuned._ Even things as small as walking the hallway to Dwayne Powers' office adds quite a bit to it, I think.
Going by your criterion, I have to say SPY is my least favorite for the environment. Barely anything to look at, and the locations usually consist of a handful of screens to look over. My favorites are definitely the big, sprawling environments like MHM, TRT, FIN, and CUR. Also, I do like the environment of CLK, although I’ll admit there is some wasted space. That underground passageway is genuinely unnerving though.
One more thought I just had on the MID environment - I was SHOCKED at how little there is to do at the Hathorne House. I find it unforgivable lol! Sorry to double comment, but I had to get that off my chest to the only group of people in my life who will understand my frustration 😂😂
I do agree with everything here except….CLK. I get your points, but there’s a thin line between environments and atmosphere and CLK has atmosphere in spades what with the soundtrack, characters, and even the period expressions the characters use. But yes, according to your criteria, it belongs where it is. It’s just sad that many of the games that are so beautiful to look at (LIE, VEN, SPY) don’t do much with the beauty other than let us look at it.
Not using your parameters, I just use the one that makes you feel you are in the place they want you to feel you’re in. Also have a soft spot for anywhere that exudes spookiness ala Crystal Skull, Captive Curse, Castle Malloy, Blackmoor Manor and even Moon Lake at times (games I would put on the best of list). And from the looks of it, Ghost of Thornton Hall too, Spookier vibes aside, the environments for Deception Island and Shadow Ranch are pretty epic. Having only played up to #24, seeing clips and stills from later games, I have to say Alibi in Ashes, the Deadly Device, Silent Spy and Shattered Medallion environments look so boring it makes me want to do those last or skip them altogether! At least a couple of those ended on your list (and glad Old Clock did also which for me is still a dull game). My only disagreement is Phantom of Venice and Kapu Cave. Even with limited interaction, I love the whole look and feel of those games and they make me want to go back! 🕵🏼♀️
I would have put #2 at #1 but that’s because I have an unholy hatred of that game. Everything feels flat. How does a game from 2001 feel more authentic and real than MID??? I could write pages about how awful the environments (& everything else) are.
It breaks my heart a little to see Phantom of Venice on this list because I absolutely love how beautiful the environments are. But you make fair points about the lack of interaction. Totally agree with your list though. I remember being so disappointed with Labyrinth of Lies because I wanted to see Greece but that didn't happen. Also the lack of sheep in shattered medallion was unforgivable!
Based on the parameters used it makes sense, but on purely an aesthetic vibe Phantom of Venice is awesome! Love that one♥️
Totally understandable!! And yes, the wasted potential of LIE was pretty disappointing!
MID has completely changed how I view museums in real life. Now, whenever I visit someone's home and I see a bookshelf I'm like, "Oh, I didn't know you ran a museum here!" 😂
I was kinda surprised to see where you ranked MID, but you made some really great points as usual, so I can't disagree with this list.
Haha, glad you liked it! Excellent point about the "criteria" for museums now XD
I expected Haunted Carousel to top the list, but it didn't even make it on. Never thought a game could make an amusement park seem claustrophobic.
It got close! What saved it was the location (did definitely feel like an amusement park) AND the fact that we could ride the carousel and interact with the games.
Love the video! But I'm so surprised Alibi in Ashes wasn't on this list! I find there's too much driving and of the environments that you can go to there's not very much to do there at all. Nancy's house was beautiful but there was so little to explore + the only secret passageway is at the end of the game in that awful tunnel maze
ASH very nearly missed out on this list! It received 5/9 stars from me, so same score as the bottom few but had to break some ties!
@@WizardKittenYT interesting! So you rank every game and decide, instead of picking the lowest and ranking? Love that you do it that way!
The most frustrating thing about Midnight in Salem environments is the Museum - there is a whole upstairs area you can explore but it’s totally optional! My first play through I was able to trigger it but I didn’t do it second time and was so confused. Why create a whole other environment that is optional to explore? I don’t understand 🤦🏼♀️ the game feels so unfinished.
Great video!! You can tell the exploration and how interactive an environment is really make an impact on how good the game is. Can’t wait for the best environments/locations!! 😍
The museum is the most disappointing for me too!! So much potential and... nothing! 😭
I've only played Midnight in Salem once and I think I triggered the upstairs area but then I couldn't get an arrow button to go forward so I ended up not doing it. Turns out it had nothing to do with the story, how disappointing
Great video! We were promised sheep! Free the sheep!!! Also, I feel like the top-down driving sections really do not do the games any service because they pull you out and look kinda meh. All that gorgeous detail disappears and it's left lacking. Can't wait to see what the best ones are cause this list made me realize just how much detail goes in the rendered environments even on the "bad" games.
Right?! The environments overall are so good! And totally agree about the birds eye view breaking immersion big time!
Totally agree about secret of the old clock, the focus on driving and lack of interaction takes away so much, I feel like it had potential with all the buildings! And we barely can look around inside!
Agreed, so much potential!
I just started the video, but I am sooo excited for this topic 😍 I love discussing the environments!! Here with my coffee, thanks for the morning upload ☕
Aw yay!! Enjoy!!
@@WizardKittenYT I've been meaning to join Mystique Manor (I hope I spelled that correctly 😊) for a while now, and I just did! Looking forward to connecting with other fellow detectives over there! I loved this video. I think the three most disappointing environments for me were TMB, LIE, and MID. I'm a huge fan of learning about ancient Egypt, and I just wanted more from that game. Like with TMB, I really enjoy learning about ancient Greece. I just didn't like that so much of interacting with the museum in LIE felt like it came down to reading books in our inventory. SSH is still the only game to me that has successfully nailed the museum environment. And MID....😩 I was so excited for a fall/Halloween vibes game. Like you said, there are pretty leaves and pumpkins, and I like the spooky decor in Olivia's corner. But, man, I can't imagine what the game would've been like if the real HeR team had worked on it 💔 Great video as always!
I just your name pop up in Mystique Manor!! Thank you so much for your support, it means so much!!! And you helped us hit our goal so I can now purchase a webcam for the channel! 🥳
@@WizardKittenYT aw I'm so happy to hear that!! 🥺💜 I can't wait to keep watching your channel grow, you're doing amazing! 🙌
Agree with the list, but I would’ve put Haunted Carousel somewhere in the top 5. The fact that you can barely go on the rides and you click a map rather than walking to them saddens me
I think the interactive carousel saved it from the bottom for me, but I do totally agree that more would have been amazing!
This video made me realize how much my love of the games is based on the environments. Out of all my favorite games, only one of them was on this list (SPY-and the unexplorable pub makes that ranking well-earned). Also, I’m gonna go ahead and make my prediction that Waverly will be near (if not at) the top of the best location list.
Environments end up being so important for me as well!! Great prediction :)
Your ranking videos are my favvvv!
Edit: I think tomb of the lost queen was both disappointing and not fleshed out enough. I think the only thing that keeps me loving the game is the soundtrack. BUT you're right, the exploration is not there, but could've been.
Right, I think it's gorgeous, but we were in a tomb with so few clues!
Wow, thank you for the analysis. "The worst..." videos are my absolute favorite!
Hehe, yay! I'm so glad you enjoy them!
Loved the video Caitlyn! Thank You for providing an interesting Wizard Kitten Wednesday! Also, I wasn't the least bit surprised at the locations which made this video, they were just so lacking and frankly BORING, with the exception of LIE whose theatre sets left me SHOOKETH.
I think most of the earlier games will make the 'Best Location and Environments' video, the earlier games knew how to do things right and convey the vibe of the game while providing interesting clues and not just drowning in puzzles. Great video by the way! 😃
Excellent prediction for the best environments! 😁
Great topic!!! I could listen to you talk Drew all day.
Aww, thank you!
my list of worst nancy drew locations
Ghost dogs of moonlake
creature of kapu cave
tomb of the lost queen
Labyrinth of lies
Ransom of the seven ships
White wolf icicle creek
Secret of the old clock
Trail of the twister
midnight in salem
shattered medallion
I completely agree with your ranking, only I would also add Secrets can kill and Alibi in Ashes to the list. I feel like environment/ambiance/vibe is an extremely (if not the most) crucial factor for me, so all the games on the list are definitely not among my faves.
Thank you for another interesting analysis video, looking forward to the next one already!
P.S. I watch and enjoy all the recordings of your Streamathon and wanted to say a huge thank you for doing this! It’s such a safe and positive space for me and many other ND lovers 🤍
Aww, I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for those kind words! So glad you enjoyed the video!
Venice is one of my fav nancy drew games so this hurt me lol.. also whats your opinion on the shadow at waters edge??
Honestly when it comes down to it, I would say its perfectly fine to drop LIE down to a 1 star on Location specific. One problem with museum settings is that they can technically be set in any country and still make sense. It may look Greek but Greco-Roman architecture is a very widespread concept. Additionally, the play aspect appeals more to a Western audience outside Greece experiencing the myth retold vs. a culture that has it embedded. The reason I can say this is because amphitheaters are everywhere even in rural US settings (my own High School had one albeit with grass instead of pure stone) so seeing a museum that looks like this one especially in the Urban US would not be uncommon. Now if it was being produced on an archaeological dig site of a restored amphitheater that's a completely different story. However as it stands, the setting for LIE is so underutilized that it could flip flop between a 1 vs. a 2 star because museums alone can't signify place. You need the surrounding areas to build upon that and LIE is entirely enclosed in a museum setting. Scarlet Hand sort of does it better but even then it could take place almost anywhere with the only setting that makes sense in DC being the consulate (but you could easily put it in Fairfax county with a train ride into DC for the exact same effect). I can see your point though just that I can also see how this setting is really underutilized and is too broad and universal to set it anywhere as a result (even the jails in the ending are so generic I couldn't even place them in Greece).
An excellent point!
Always love your ranking videos! This one was so fun!
So glad you liked it!
Great video as always!
Thank you so much!!
Here for your HER/Nancy Drew content!!
Thank you!! So glad you're enjoying it!
Another very intelligent video, WK. I liked Phantom much less than other people. Ca was boring as can be, and I really didn't like any of the characters. Who is the worst charcater to you: Justin or Lou Talbot?
Personally, Justin is really frustrating to me! But objectively, I think Lou could have used a bit more development!
@@WizardKittenYT Lou is so unlikeable. But Justin has that scary hair-trigger temper!
I have to say this I think on area that phantom of venice does better is you get to experience the city there's ice cream the singing gondala captins you get to dance you play cards go shopping you get to have fun and in shadows at the waters edge I don't if you get to experience what japan is really about you don't get to go to the convention not really there's plenty of places to take the bullet train but you can only see go outiside and see three of them the only time I think your having fun is at the pachinko parlor maybe the the ryokan was more intresting than the ca but I just didn't feel like we got to experience japan what do you think
That's a good point and is actually exactly why SAW didn't quite make the top 10 list despite the ryokan being so excellent!
Watched this while having breakfast ☕ 😊 100% agree... the only thing that saved Venice, Tomb of Lost Queen and Labyrinth of Lies was the location and just general feel that I enjoyed but especially Labyrinth was definitely just not credible at all. Great video ❤
Aww, that makes me so happy to hear!! And so glad you enjoyed the video!
I know everyone loves it but I thought the environment of warnings at waverly were disappointing. So much potential with nothing to click on. I recently replayed ghosts dogs of moon lake and I remember this game being so much better before… the whole environment was bland there was almost nowhere to go but the house and the ranger station which had nothing to interact with except endless reading material that didn’t pertain to the mystery at all, and em’s emporium where the only thing you can interact with is a bucket of bait worms. The secret passageways were bland and the game felt claustrophobic to me with nowhere to really go and nothing to do until you switch from day to night or vice versa.
Which is something that really irks me in some ND games. I know it’s stupid, but I like to feel like Nancy accomplished a full day of sleuthing before changing the time or going to sleep. It bugs me so much when Nancy has just woken up, did one thing, and then can’t progress until it’s the next day again. Why does that bug me so much!! Lol
Totally get what you mean about the environments feeling claustrophobic at times! And wanting the day to night switching to be more flexible!
I'm always impressed by how big _Stay Tuned for Danger_ feels for being the first traditional Nancy Drew game (that is, one that fits in with the aesthetic of the rest of the series). No, it's certainly not huge, and some of the movement mechanics can be frustrating, but for how much _Secret of the Scarlet Hand_ makes me feel like I have nowhere to go but in circles (even though that's not _really_ true), I can't help but be amazed at how much I feel like I have choices, and different areas to check in on, in _Stay Tuned._ Even things as small as walking the hallway to Dwayne Powers' office adds quite a bit to it, I think.
Going by your criterion, I have to say SPY is my least favorite for the environment. Barely anything to look at, and the locations usually consist of a handful of screens to look over. My favorites are definitely the big, sprawling environments like MHM, TRT, FIN, and CUR. Also, I do like the environment of CLK, although I’ll admit there is some wasted space. That underground passageway is genuinely unnerving though.
Agreed for sure! SPY might be the most personally disappointing to me as well!
One more thought I just had on the MID environment - I was SHOCKED at how little there is to do at the Hathorne House. I find it unforgivable lol!
Sorry to double comment, but I had to get that off my chest to the only group of people in my life who will understand my frustration 😂😂
Oh I COMPLETELY understand and validate that! It's absolutely horrifying how the one historic build has almost nothing 😭
Hey real question, your voice sounds so familiar… do you do voice acting work??
I don't, but I wish I did!
I do agree with everything here except….CLK. I get your points, but there’s a thin line between environments and atmosphere and CLK has atmosphere in spades what with the soundtrack, characters, and even the period expressions the characters use. But yes, according to your criteria, it belongs where it is. It’s just sad that many of the games that are so beautiful to look at (LIE, VEN, SPY) don’t do much with the beauty other than let us look at it.
Exactly. If the location has to rely on other factors to help the environment along (soundtrack, characters, dialogue), then it had to end up lower.
Not using your parameters, I just use the one that makes you feel you are in the place they want you to feel you’re in. Also have a soft spot for anywhere that exudes spookiness ala Crystal Skull, Captive Curse, Castle Malloy, Blackmoor Manor and even Moon Lake at times (games I would put on the best of list). And from the looks of it, Ghost of Thornton Hall too,
Spookier vibes aside, the environments for Deception Island and Shadow Ranch are pretty epic.
Having only played up to #24, seeing clips and stills from later games, I have to say Alibi in Ashes, the Deadly Device, Silent Spy and Shattered Medallion environments look so boring it makes me want to do those last or skip them altogether! At least a couple of those ended on your list (and glad Old Clock did also which for me is still a dull game).
My only disagreement is Phantom of Venice and Kapu Cave. Even with limited interaction, I love the whole look and feel of those games and they make me want to go back! 🕵🏼♀️
Yeah, even though they're in my bottom 10, I still love the look and feel of CRE and VEN as well! Understandable!
I would have put #2 at #1 but that’s because I have an unholy hatred of that game. Everything feels flat. How does a game from 2001 feel more authentic and real than MID???
I could write pages about how awful the environments (& everything else) are.
I totally get that! I personally would too, but I was trying to be objective, LOL
I agree with pretty much all of this list, except that I would have given Danger by Design a "dis-honorable" mention.
Yeah, it was really close to making the bottom 10 cutoff!
It is "Lock Low-mund".
Thought so! Thanks for confirming!
Mid comes to mind as not fleshed out enough
I agree!