I got sick of cooking too- so just didn't do it anymore unless it was necessary to do to complete the survey. I just took the "scolding" and moved on with the game. My problem with the games is the endings lately- the reasons why the culprit did what they did. Very unsatisfying and really not connected to the game. I also don't like how task oriented they have become- less sleuthing and much more work! (Kapu Cave and this one in particular- as well as Danger by Design- except that was shopping)

It never occurred to me to try to bail on my kitchen duties. I just assumed I'd be fired if I tried to do that. That's very good to know!

One other way is to sleep through it.

And to think I slept and set the alarm so I could hurry up and get the chores over with. I set it for maid breakfast Lunch dinner

Ana

LOL Me too, BET. I spent a whole day once just sleeping until each of my cooking times arrived. I was trying to trigger something. Can't remember what.

I agree that the games are getting tedious. The first one I was really disappointed with was the Old Clock. I spent half the game driving around, trying not to hit pot holes, to make money to pay whoever it was I was paying. I think for pictures? I have no brain for the details when I finish a game.

And I noticed this time that the spooky music was missing. It really adds to the game and the feeling of suspense and I missed it. There was some music at certain points but not the trademark music that I associate with ND.

I just didn't feel spooked this time. I think I will write to Her Interactive as well. Good idea whoever suggested that.

Tennistiger, you are joking, right? I could not do that sewing puzzle at all & a nice kind person had to send me a save. I cannot sew in real life either.

The voice of dissent here. I loved White Wolf except for the Fox/geese game which I couldn't master. One of my favourite things about the Nancy Drew games is the chores. I wonder if I like them because I do very little cooking at home. A nice lady does my ironing and another nice lady does my cleaning, not to mention my handyman/gardener.

So I choose not to do repetitive chores in reality but I love doing them in games! It seems I'm on my own here!

I love doing chores to but not in real life! JennyP i can sew really good in real life so the puzzle was easy for me!

can anyone give me a saved game after the fox and geese game?

Tennistiger, please post in Hints for this, they will be happy to assist you there.

Ana

Welcome to GameBoomers tennistiger! It's great to meet another Nancy Drew fan.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is feeling let down by the ND games of late. While I thought White Wolf was a definite step in the right direction after Kapu Cave (which I found truly dreadful), it still relied way too much for my taste on repetitive tasks and arcade-style games--when I realized I'd have to have a snowball fight every time I wanted to pass Freddie, my language was definitely not safe for ages 10 to adult. ;-) Playing a ND game used to be like sinking into a nice cozy but confounding mystery novel--now it feels more like a too-linear, too-shallow story padded with chores and hand-eye coordination tests.

Maybe I should write to Her Interactive too and tell them how bereft I feel. Or seeing as how they are right up the road from me in Seattle, I could try for a personal audience. ;-)

KristiC, Ana and the gang,

I'm SO glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way about recent ND games. What a relief! I used to be so excited about the newest ones coming out and playing them was a joy. Now though (at least for me in White Wolf, Danger by Design, etc.) it feels like there really is no "mystery" but more of a set of things to do so you can make it to the end---which is not satisfying at all.

Also, I really hate it when they change things in the games such as clocks (I loved the old clock face in Haunted Mansion), telephones, journals, etc. I think they're trying too hard to meet in the middle between high and low tech (maybe to make everyone happy?) and I wish they'd stuck with the old way of doing things. sigh...

The saddest part is that as I sit here today with my brand new ND White Wolf game, I am more excited about loading up my old ones and re-playing them than I am about playing this new one.

I think I'm with you guys....I am going to write to them as well and just let them know that while I appreciate their efforts and love their games, it might be time to "stop" making changes and go back to a formula that really worked. (and that some of us love and miss!)

Thanks for listening to my two cents!
Cat

Good idea Cat... to write to HerInteractive & voice these thoughts -- offer constructive criticism ... some guidance about game quality control.

Was thinking the very same thing about the recent games... more focus on repetitive tasks & less on story. Why change a successful formula? Maybe it's an easy way to crank out 2 games a year. Despite this, I still have a soft spot in my heart for this series, & will probably continue to buy the games... just to be in the world of ND for a little while (haven't gotten White Wolf yet, but I will).

I really liked White Wolf, thought it was cool to have an actual wolf in the game and I enjoyed the cooking! However, the end of the game starting with having to win Fox/Geese 3 times and then the very end chase got me frustrated, just cause it seemed to take forever to win! I like the games where you actually get to talk to people and call people for info, and I loved the settings! The outdoor scenes were so pretty!

You know what I miss? The old Nancy Drew silhouette. I don't like the new one so much. I like the old one with her and her magnifying glass.

I also would rather she spent her time solving a mystery than doing chores.

Up to and including Blackmoor, the team was the same. Haven't asked them if it changed after that, but it would be interesting to know.