Preview Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock Developer: Her Interactive Publisher: Atari Release Date: July 2005 Platform: Preview by Randy Sluganski June 16, 2005

Nancy Drew is back and when we say back, we mean waaaaaay back as in the 1930’s! For her 12th computer adventure and 75th anniversary of her first book, Nancy has gone retro and will return to her literary roots.

Secret of the Old Clock is a compilation of elements from the first four Nancy Drew novels - Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, Mystery at Lilac Inn and The Bungalow Mystery.

This time around Nancy visits ‘Lilac Inn, where 17-year-old Emily Crandall is trying to manage the property she inherited from her late mother. A mutual friend has asked Nancy to look in on Emily who is straining to keep up with the management and financial demands of the Inn and do so just one month after the loss of her mom.

Meantime, Nancy is curious about why a girl she hardly knows would want to meet with her. Does it have something to do with the contested inheritance? Whatever fueled the invitation, it’s up to Nancy to find the answers and rescue Emily from possible financial and emotional ruin.’

As usual, Her Interactive has done their research as the game features vintage cars, radio shows and slang. In fact, Nancy will be able to drive her own car to navigate through town. Bess and George will again be available for help, but her cell phone has been replaced by an old fashioned landline. Hobo symbols – which is a basic system of mark used by the classic train-hopping hobo of the early 20th century to communicate with fellow hoboes – will play a big part in some of the puzzles.

Nancy will also have a job as earning money and managing your budget – such as purchasing gas for your car – will figure into the game.

There will also be two new mini-games: fishing – which is similar to the fishing puzzle in Syberia 2, as you must choose the correct bait and spot to cast your rod and a 9-hole mini-golf course. What you may not be aware of is that – keeping in the 1930’s spirit – mini-golf was the hottest craze of the 1930’s as literally thousands of mini-golf courses were constructed across the United States (and yes, I did whoop Her Interactive CEO Megan Gaiser at mini-golf!).

If Secret of the Old Clock is a rip-roaring success, it would be great to if Her Interactive were to develop some future games based on other time periods in Nancy’s lengthy history. How about a 1960’s hippie Nancy Drew or a 80’s disco Nancy?