Best Video Games 2006 - Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave (Video Game Review)

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Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave

Recommended Age:

10 and Up

ESRB Rating:

E-10

Genre:

Adventure/Mystery

Tested Platform:

Available Platforms:

Number of Players:

Fun Factor:

*****

Nancy Drew is back on the PC in her 15th adventure, and this time she's got some help, from the Hardy Boys. The Nancy Drew series of adventure games are perfect for boys and girls aged 10 and up. The stories are inspired by the books, and this adventure sees our intrepid teenage sleuth jetting off to Hawaii to intern for an entomologist (she's there to study bugs) and, of course, to investigate some strange goings on. Why is there a caterpillar infestation? Is it nature run amok, or does it have something to do with the ancient Hawaiian monster Kane 'Okala? How can the Hardy Boys help? Only your tween can solve this case!

Kapu Cave looks great -- they finally got a new graphics engine for the series and it's nice to see more animation (waves lap at the shore) and the Hawaiian ambiance (wind, surf, and some light luau music) make for tranquil game sessions. The game is played in the classic point-and-click style, and the game's pacing and story are brisk and exciting. Two difficulty levels, Junior and Senior, change the difficulty of the puzzles.

Parents, take note: The game teaches kids about Hawaiian folklore, bugs and plants. Kids need to memorize facts and apply them to solve the puzzles. The only problem with this approach is that a lot of the folklore seems made up (a quick Google search confirms this) and there's nothing to separate the real facts from the made-up stuff your kids are learning. While this is fun, and completely consistent with the books, it's kind of disappointing for parents. Why not use real Hawaiian folklore?

Some boys might object to playing Nancy, which is why the inclusion of Frank and Joe Hardy is so welcome. Kids can switch between Nancy and the boys easily, to solve different parts of the mystery. This is great because Nancy Drew isn't just the best series of computer games for girls. They're the best adventure games for kids, period.

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