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An outstanding adventure through the old west!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 106 / 110
Date: August 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I would like to begin my review by first stating that I find everyone's appalling comments for this game's new layout to be quite unjust. I thought the larger game screen to provide a more authentic experience. The new cell phone mode made calling and accessing information on the web extremely practical, as well as useful.
Secondly, the new tool mode was not nearly as hard to comprehend as many have expressed it to be. Really, if this game is marketed to anyone over the age of ten, I would have expected those over thirteen writing these reviews to have been able to grasp the simplicity of this feature.
Thirdly, I found the chores such as getting eggs, picking vegetables, and feeding the animals to be fun. I love being thrown out, though I will admit the tongue-lashing I get for my mistakes, whether purposeful or not, really leaves my spinning. In one instance, however, I even found myself being attacked by an extremely angry chicken. Who could not enjoy that?
The graphics in this game are extraordinary. I loved how real all of the rugs, petroglyphs, and so on looked. Her Interactive really is to be commended on this.
Throughout this game weaves a tale of mystery and romance. An outlaw by the name of Dirk Valentine left his treasure hidden somewhere for his love, and through following his clues he wrote for his love, I encountered much more than your average dust cloud...I encountered many dangerous things, that, if not treated right, could (and did) send me to my peril.
I would finally like to mention my favorite character in this series: Bob the horse. Bob and I went through a lot together, and I'm going to miss that horse. Live long and healthy, Bob!

The Secret of Shadow Ranch

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 47 / 53
Date: October 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This was definitely a great addition to the Nancy Drew computer games. They changed the inventory window and it takes a little time to get used to it. Yes, it is frustrating at first but by the end, I decided it was a great idea.
In this mystery, Nancy goes to a ranch (I guess you probably figured that out from the title :) We do not get see Bess and George because their plane was delayed but we still get to call them and the Hardy boys to get hints.
The suspects in this game are Shorty- the cook; Tex- the head wrangler; Dave- the cowboy; and Mary Yazzi- an antique seller.
Nancy rides a horse in the game, which is neat. Some of the chores Nancy does at the Ranch are a little tedious and repetitive but they did seem to get easier as they go.
In the end, I really liked this mystery and I am ready to start the next one that comes out.

Another Great Title for the Spanning Series

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: October 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I've played all of HI's (Herinteractive) Nancy Drew computer games (excluding #11, which I will soon play) to find all of them relatively superb except for the exception of possibly #8. Everything I say here, is exactly how I feel about this game. If you want a very thorough review, I think you could find it right here.

First off, you can not correctly reprimand this new sleuthing format wihtout playing any of the other games. Speculation from rumors are purely not acceptable. I found it to give the game a more realistic view add richness to your view. Though finding the tools was a bit confusing, it was so minor and really was easy to learn quickly.

The storyline takes you out to Arizona where you have to discover the secret behind this supposedly "phantom horse." Throughout the game you learn the history of this outlaw Dirk and his sweethart Frances. I won't elaborate for those who are interested in the game though for much of the story is of this tale.

The main tools you'll use extremely often (I accessed it too many times to keep track of) have a new setup for easier use, ie your cellphone. Though this new version was a little difficult to me for the first few times, it helped a lot in web surfing and calling.

Their are numerous different areas the adventure takes place in. And for all horse and animal lovers, such as me, will be thrilled to see your via of transportation is Bob the horse. Bob is though another track of responsibility though and some may not having to search through various different locations (some even without reception for you cell phone) for where exactly you need to go for the next part. Though for me, I love to explore and found everything relatively easily.

Don't be fooled if you are older than ten years old and think this is too young for you. And don't think vise versa either if you are younger than that. Sure it could be easier or harder depending on your age (and mystery and deductive skills) but there are fans of these games of all ages. Even mothers and fathers are players. Grandparents aren't excluded in that either.

Some parts are a bit difficult such as when you have that barrel racing and lassoing test from Tex. But never fear, being a good detective means having the patience to do it agian. I took that test trully over twenty times for the barrel racing part. But I finally got it and the reward is undescribable. If you ever need hints or spoilers, just look down to the bottom of this review and go to the same website except to the message board part of it.

The last major point is the real set of mood the game gives you. The characters are all pretty believable and all give you a reason to think of them as the culprit. The setting gives you this rustic and old west feeling.

It stresses this in your daily chores of picking ripe vegetables, collecting the eggs, and any other thing someone on the ranch wants you to do. You can have tons of fun too purposely messing up. It really is convenient with the second chance option to start you up again right before the mistake. You even have the option of having a bit of a crazy chicken attacking you.

Just like other HI's Nancy Drew games, you are not really following the trail of the mystery so to speak. You are going by on what you've discovered thus far. You work out the entire game this way until the end where you discover the answer to the mystery. Not to say this method is not fun, it is actually in a very suspensful way.

All in all, a very goood game with rich graphics, and a fun interactive mystery. Nancy Drew has been around for years with great books and hopefully this will continue in HI's Nancy Drew computer games.

If you want any information from HI about this product, check it out on www.herinteractive.com. Hopefully you have found this a helpful review. In my opinion, it's a great edition and am looking forward to Curse of Blackmoor Manor and all of the future games.

~*Nancy drew: The serect of shadow ranch *~

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: July 20, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game for 12 and up. You learn how to sattle& ride a horse, pick ripe veggies, talk to lots of people,serch every room and town. It is a great mystry and has great graphics. You will learn about petroglyphs,1900's fashion & moreIf you mess up (or die)in your game use the "second chance" and you will go right back to what you where doing a minunte before you messed up.It takes about 4 days to complet( if you don't use cheats) .If you don't like this one or want more nancy drew chose from any of there 10 titles

Great game series

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 11
Date: August 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

These games are great! I have five kids (ages 4-12) and all of us except the youngest play the Nancy Drew games- even the boys. They are fun, challenging, and thanks to the "Second Chance" one of our favorite parts is seeing how many ways we can get Nancy in trouble. (Don't bug the chicken!)

Secret of Shadow Ranch-Wow.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: August 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

In The Secret of Shadow Ranch, you are invited to Arizona to stay on Bess and George's aunt and uncle's ranch. Unfortunatley, Bess and George seem to have a (ahem) "little" delay getting there with you, so for now, you're on your own. Spanning over a 3-day period, Shadow Ranch is definatley one of the best Nancy Drew games. The "new" big-screen, a cellphone in it's own compartment (with internet and email, though you can't send email!), and (my favorite), a notebook where Nancy keeps a journal (for all) and a checklist (only for Junior Detectives). And, as always, the toolbar, which takes up less space but holds more items. (A LOT more.) Begin your visit with a mystery. Where are the Rawleys? It turns out, at the hospital (!). Seems Ed Rawley had a little accident. He'll be OK though- but the Rawleys are staying at the hospital. And- what's this about a- PHANTOM HORSE??? Seems there's a lost treasure in the area- is it truth, or just a legend???

GAMEPLAY: 10! This game is longer than some of the others, it's over 3 days, but, unlike "THE CURSE OF BLACKMOOR MANOR", it's not tedious! There's a lot to do around the ranch- help Shorty, the cook, with the chores (strange, Shorty doesn't seem to do much), ride your horse, Bob, around Arizona, and, of course, solve the mystery- who's trying to sabotauge the ranch? And why?

CHARACTERS:9.5 There are some interesting people around the ranch, it seems. The 3 cowboys- Tex, the "head wrangler", Dave, the "foreman", and Shorty, the "cook"- are each suspicous-Nancy catches Dave, um, "digging", Shorty's been looking at gold deposits in the area (is he looking for Valentine's treasure?), and- was that TEX Nancy saw with Mary Yazzie?!? Mary Yazzie owns a store down one of the trails. She wants property from the Rawleys. Why? Maybe if you help her around her store, she'll help you...

GRAPHICS: 9.5 VERY good. Even better than Danger by Design- at least the characters. (Though sometime's Dave's beard looks like dots and it, um, moves.) The setting is very good as well, though Danger by Design has the BEST setting, in terms of graphics.

PUZZLES: 8.7 Some of the best puzzles are in this game, I think. None are extremeley hard, though they do make you think. (Hint: For the magnet puzzle, go to and from the board a few times in a row. It takes away the wood and makes the puzzle A LOT easier.)

FLAWS: Not many. I wish you could eat, and that you had your own room (or rather, you could see your own room). I have to admit, the setting, a desert, is not my favorite, but it works for the plot.

IS THIS WORTH YOUR MONEY?
I have to say, yes, it is. Junior detectives get A LOT of hints, if you want them, and the journal and task notes also help. Something for everyone, even if you don't like deserts much (like me, no offense), you'll love this game!

SECRET OF SHADOW RANCH

~By a Kid

The secret of Shadow Ranch and all other N.D. games

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: November 28, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Over the past year, we have purchased every Nancy Drew for our 12 yr. old daughter. It is a wonderful series of games for anyone to play. It takes a lot of thinking. I don't feel like these are a waste of time to play. I have never had any problems with any of these games.

Awesome, Great Game!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: January 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a VERY good game. You're on a treasure hunt in the Arizona desert, which is really awesome. And the graphics are AMAZING! I love this game! If you like this game, my other suggestions are Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake and Nancy Drew: Danger on Deception Island! (P.S. You get to go to a ghost town, a canyon, the middle of the desert, a shop, and at the VERY end, ancient Indian cliff dwellings!)

I LOVED IT!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: February 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I really enjoyed this game!!! I couldn't stop playing! The End got my heart pounding like CRAZY!! I also really enjoyed the graphics, it was like I was really there! It wasn't all mystery,it had alot of funny parts. I really recommend this game. I also learned alot like, how to pick ripe veggies, stuff about horses, and even a recipe for a cake!!! SO BUY IT ! NOW!

ssssoooooooo much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: November 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

this game is the best in the nancy drew game series. it was very challenging. so dont buy it thinking you'll beat it in 30 min. it was funner than the other ones because there are more places to go than the other games. you get to ride horses which is totally cool! if you need any help you can go to [...](they are links to the same site)and go to message boards where all nancy drew games lovers can share hints,cheats, and reviews. you can also read the book but it won't tell you how to beat the game. it was really fun, had better graphics than most games i have, has a cute boy;dave:) , and lots of cool and hard puzzles. i wouldn't suggest this game or any other nancy drew games for kids under 10 years old, otherwise get ready for unhappy kids and a game that won't be touched for a year or more.(i know this from experience, i got stuck for a year on the secret of the scarlet hand game when i was 10!i did end up beating it though, hooray!)
it is also fun at the end because you'll be suprised at how scared you feel when you are waiting for the bad guy to show up!

an overall excellant game! keep making great games, herinteractive!

here are all the games in the series in order:
secrets can kill
stay tuned for danger
message in a haunted mansion(this has seances and talk of ghosts and spirits, unfortunately:( )
treasure in the royal tower
the final scene
secret of the scarlet hand
ghost dogs of moon lake (no ghosts, really good and cool game!)
the haunted carousel
danger on deception island
the secret of shadow ranch
curse of blackmoor manor
secret of the old clock
**NEW**last train to blue moon canyon

dony forget to read all of the nancy drew books, they are really good!!!!!!!!!!

(P.S. SSSSHHH... THERE IS A NEW GAME COMING OUT SOON CALLED danger by design!!!!!)

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