*Sources of screenshots are listed in their respective file-names.
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Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion’s amazingly funny characters, fascinating dialog and New Zealand setting are fantastic.
However, there are some unfortunate supernatural elements players should know about (detailed in our Potential Concerns section).
On the popular fictional reality TV show Pacific Run, Nancy Drew comes face to face with one of the most beloved characters in the series–Sonny Joon.
The fact that he has never appeared physically in previous titles where his eccentric personality is featured makes the big reveal pretty exciting.
Nancy soon finds that the beautiful New Zealand countryside and even Sonny himself conceal a darker mystery…
The puzzles are classic Nancy Drew–a good mix of smart item use and brainteasers–but it feels like there are less of them this time around. This is especially noticeable in the first act.
A perspective puzzle seen about halfway through the game.
The Shattered Medallion instead chooses to focus on getting to know an odd cast of characters. It features what may be the best dialog of a Nancy Drew game to date–my family was literally laughing out loud.
Nancy: “What’s your angle?”
Patrick: “Leena wants me to spy on you. It’s like two birds in the bush.“
Nancy: “I think that’s two birds with one stone.”
Patrick: “Big stone.“
Patrick: “Or small birds.“
Patrick: “Or they’re in a line.“
The characters Bess (longtime friend of Nancy Drew) and Patrick (the former rugby player seen above) are particularly well-written and engaging.
Bess: “He’s like one of those tall beautiful things they have in Italy.”
Nancy: “Not sure… A sculpture?“
Bess: “A barista.“
Another component filling the gap is a large number of logic-based minigames (10 in total) found on your mobile phone and in the Puzzle Palace.
Escape! is one of the 8 logic minigames found on Nancy’s phone.
Monster! is one of the two more involved board games in the Puzzle Palace.
The reality TV show format introduces a wide range of challenges, such as panning for gold and hunting objects in an underwater submarine.
Education is mixed with fun since books/environmental displays actually tie into the puzzles. One book even includes a list of simple phrases in the Māori language.
Some Māori phrases.
A fish display tying into an underwater puzzle.
A revamped hint system (introduced in Nancy Drew #26) gives the assistance you need in stages. This allows you to figure things out for yourself instead of immediately resorting to a walkthrough.
So, even with less puzzles, Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion still manages to be both intelligent and fun.
Conclusion:
A laser-focus on fascinating dialog and interesting characters make Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion one of the more solid games in the series.
Unfortunately, some unsettling supernatural influences (detailed below) hinder The Shattered Medallion from reaching the heights of titles like Alibi in Ashes and The Silent Spy.
Potential Concerns:
*WARNING–Potential Spoilers Below*
Being set in New Zealand, players will discover aspects of Māori culture, such as their mythology and symbology.
Māori symbols, meaning and mythology.
Māori symbols, meaning and mythology.
Players must find pieces of the “Hei-Tiki” symbol (seen in the first Māori mythology screenshot above) underwater and assemble them for one of the quests.
Māori totems are also present in the forms of environmental objects and collectible phone charms.
A Māori totem (idol).
My collection of two totem charms, a needle and a reference to The Lord of the Rings (filmed in New Zealand).
Sonny Joon and the S.P.I.E.D. organization (founded by his grandfather Jin) project a belief in aliens and our need for their involvement in our world.
“S.P.I.E.D. believes that there is a community, like the United Nations, but instead of countries it’s planets… galaxies.”
“So, it’s the U.N. but more fun?“
Shortly after…
“The earth is in a very bad way right now.”
“That does seem to be the main talking point these days.”
“Because it’s true.“
“We need help. We can’t go it alone.”
“I’m pretty sure we can.”
“As was I.“
“We have everything we need, right? We’re smart. We’re strong. We adapt.”
“I sense a–“
“But. Yes, there is. But we don’t know how to work together…“
Later:
“Doesn’t matter if any of this is real.”
“Yes it does…“
“No, it doesn’t. Not if pretending it’s true makes the world better.“
Sonny also gathers a number of “special” people (including Patrick, who he refers to as “the mystic”) with spiritual names/characteristics together as part of his grandfather Jin’s currently inscrutable plan.
Pictures from his grandfather Jin’s comics.
Pictures from his grandfather Jin’s comics.
Pictures from his grandfather Jin’s comics.
Sonny’s notebook in which he identifies the individuals needed for “the team.”
Sonny’s notebook in which he identifies the individuals needed for “the team.”
Bess also refers to Patrick as her “spirit animal.”
“He’s like my spirit animal.”
“He’s a person, and also alive.”
“I know, but…“
“He’s so…calm.“
“Do you know that his parents, and their parents going back were some sort of mystical teachers?”
“I gathered something like that…“
Unlike other supernaturally-tinged Nancy Drew games (Haunting of Castle Malloy, Shadow at the Waters Edge, etc.), these concepts are not ultimately seen as faulty or somehow delusional–they just suggest a deeper mystery.
However, there is still a possibility that this troubling storyline may be resolved in a future title.
“I don’t know if Sonny believes in everything S.P.I.E.D. [the fictional alien-centric organization Sonny and his grandfather Jin are a part of] teaches…“
“But after his time in New Zealand, I do know he believes in Jin.“
The “Raid” mini-game from the Germany-themed entry Nancy Drew: The Captive Curse features elements of magic and fairytale characters.
Bess has a crush on Sonny and tries to use her “feminine wiles” to get information for Nancy (this does not work due to her nervousness).
“Do you want to maybe put that Sonny enthusiasm to work?“
“You know I do.”
“Okay. Go see if you can pry any information out of him.”
“I’ll bust out my feminine wiles.“
“That explains the photo edit she made of me holding a puppy. Sorta. It sorta explains that…“
The final puzzle involves the Zodiac.
Sonny Joon’s character is a bit confusing. Though he appears normal, at times he also acts effeminate.
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