Nancy Drew Secret of the Old Clock – Game Review

This Nancy Drew game is a combination of Nancy’s first four books, but it mainly focuses on her very first though: Secret of the Old Clock. This game takes place during the time of her first book as well (which doesn’t exactly math right in later games but still it’s nice.) and it is also cute and cozy unlike some Nancy Drew games that build on suspense. This game is a classic and we love it and in my review you’ll find out why.

Why Secret of the Old Clock?

Secret of the Old Clock (also available on Steam) is the 12th game in the Nancy Drew adventure series by Her Interactive, and it takes players back in time to the 1930s. Based on the very first Nancy Drew book published in 1930, the game mixes classic sleuthing with a vintage setting that feels unique within the franchise.

Nancy is called to the quaint town of Titusville to help solve a mystery involving a missing will that could change the fate of several townsfolk. The story captures the charm of early Nancy Drew mysteries, focusing less on sinister crimes and more on small-town secrets, inheritance drama, and community relationships. It feels cozy and nostalgic compared to some of the darker entries in the series.

This game emphasizes old-fashioned detective work—talking to locals, driving around town in Nancy’s roadster, and solving puzzles related to money, errands, and logic challenges. One of the standout features is the ability to drive the car around Titusville, making it feel more open-ended than previous games. However, the gameplay can sometimes feel slower since much of it revolves around completing tasks and mini-jobs (like delivering telegrams) to earn money for gas and other necessities.

The 1930s aesthetic is charming, with retro fashion, cars, and environments that set it apart from other Nancy Drew games. The jazz-influenced soundtrack adds to the vintage feel, and the voice acting brings the characters to life in a warm, small-town atmosphere.

Unlike some of the scarier Nancy Drew titles, Secret of the Old Clock leans into nostalgia and character-driven storytelling. Fans of the books may enjoy how it honors Nancy’s roots, though players looking for danger and high suspense might find it more relaxed than expected.

When it comes to “scary things” this game doesn’t have that. In fact this game is one of the most cute and cozy kind of Nancy Drew game.

You might also like this post: Gift Guide for Nancy Drew Fans

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

This game is only 1-player and it’s for PC/MAC. We’ve been playing together on two computers on the Steam version for this game.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL.

Pros

Charming 1930s atmosphere and story.

Unique driving mechanic with Nancy’s roadster.

Nostalgic tribute to Nancy’s first case.

Relaxed, cozy mystery tone.

Cons

Lacks the suspense and danger of other titles

Task-based gameplay can feel repetitive

Driving errands may slow the pacing for some players

Summary

Secret of the Old Clock is a charming entry in the Nancy Drew series that celebrates the origins of the teen detective. It may not be the most thrilling mystery, but its unique 1930s setting, cozy small-town atmosphere, and emphasis on classic sleuthing make it a memorable game for longtime fans.