PC (Microsoft Windows)2006

Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave

Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave is a first-person perspective, point-and-click adventure game. The player is Nancy Drew and has to solve a mystery. Explore rich environments for clues, interrogate suspects, and solve puzzles and mini-games.

Community

Critics

Storyline

Say Aloha to Trouble in Paradise! Working as a research assistant in Hawaii sounds like fun in the sun, but ther's big trouble brewing on the Big Island. Someone or something destroyed the environmental experiments in the forest around the Hilihili Research compound. Is it the mythical Kane Okala or unfriendly rivals? It's up to you, as Nancy Drew, with the help of the Hardy Boys, to uncover hidden secrets among the strange whispers that haunt the mountains and forests! Dare to Play!

Screenshots

Mostly Positive

181 Steam reviews

Review History

Reviews

181 total

≥h

Steam User 6680STEAMNot recommended

The game was pretty boring, and some of the puzzles were difficult. In addition, most of the characters were unlikeable. The settings were beautiful.

Mar 24, 2026·31h·Verified

Steam User 6212STEAMNot recommended

one of my least favorite games in the ND collection. such short gameplay, with the frass collecting puzzle taking up the majority of the runtime. story is pretty convoluted and abruptly ends. the hardy bros hardly make an impact in the game, but i guess it's cool to see them and get a little switch-up in the usual nancy drew formula. would only recommend for the vibes, not for a good mystery or challenging puzzles.

Mar 21, 2026·5h·Verified

Steam User 3652STEAMNot recommended

The Big Island Bucks economy is flawed and Big Island Mike knows it! Some puzzles were too annoying as busy work and there wasn’t as many things that could be easy to miss which made the game way more straightforward than I would want from a Nancy game. I did appreciate that every character was more insane than the usual(but Quigley is super annoying).

Mar 8, 2026·6h

Steam User 3120STEAMRecommended

Just finished! I saw some reviews saying this game was too easy, and I kinda agree with them, although I'm not mad about it! This has become one of the very few ND games I could've solved without looking at any hints online.

The story ended rather suddenly, and all the characters are not quite charming or likable in my opinion. But all in all, I enjoyed this one very much!

Mar 7, 2026·5h·Verified

Steam User 4399STEAMNot recommended

Boring gameplay.
Unlikable side characters.
Dull and tedious minigames.
Flat and uninspiring ending.
All and all, this game was a waste of time and money and may be one of, if not THE most uninteresting games I have unenthusiastically played in quite some time.
As someone who has played SEVERAL Nancy Drew games, this one SUCKS!
I forced myself to finish in hopes it would get better as well as continue my attempt to play every Nancy Drew game for the sake of nostalgia... I should never have wasted my time on this horrid game!

Mar 2, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 4767STEAMNot recommended

crashed 2 computers

Feb 11, 2026·15h·Verified

Steam User 0106STEAMRecommended

nancy drew games i used to play as a kid, still fun today

Jan 27, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 4338STEAMRecommended

If you like bugs and Nancy Drew, this is it! The puzzles in this one are a bit easier to figure out than other Nancy Drew games in my opinion.
Big Mike is a terrible man. Not as much because of his villainry, but because he takes advantage of his paying vacationing customers to provide free labor for him! Spending my whole beach vacation picking up shells for him and emptying the ocean of fish so I can afford to buy him 12 snow cones because he won't just tell me what his favorite flavor is ? (Somehow I still got the award "Brain Freeze" for figuring out his favorite snow cone in record time. RIP to the poor souls who must still be stuck patrolling the beach to subsidize Big Mike's snow cone addiction.) Curse you Big Mike!
Big fan of the "Second Chance" button. I am surprised I did not get an award for most deaths ever achieved on a Nancy Drew game.

Jan 25, 2026·9h·1·Verified

Steam User 5078STEAMRecommended

I loved how this game embraces the Hawaiian culture! There's a leisurely feel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I genuinely loved collecting seashells and making necklaces for Big Mike! Taking your time at the immersion center, earning coins, and playing the educational slots really does pay off in the end. I had to use very little walk through cheats on this one; it felt light hearted, laid back, and fun! I love Hawaii! Oh and the researcher Nancy works for is totally awesome, I adore her. It was fun and easy to get immersed into this one!

Jan 20, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 7147STEAMRecommended

в этой игре есть всё! рыбалка, мороженое, собирание и продажа ракушек. почти как энимал кроссинг

Dec 24, 2025·1h·2·Verified

Steam User 1287STEAMRecommended

Awesome game, just not long enough!

Dec 20, 2025·17h·Verified

Steam User 4078STEAMNot recommended

As someone who has been playing Nancy Drew games since I was a child, I have to say this one is the most disappointing. There is very little plot, the game mechanics are incredibly easy, there's no real challenge and the story is suuuuper short. It felt like they had to get out a game as quickly as possible and slapped this one together in an afternoon. If you want to complete your collection, then by all means, but don't expect the typical Nancy Drew magic! Also, Quigley is so annoying.

Nov 22, 2025·4h·2·Verified

Steam User 2396STEAMRecommended

Most people don't like this one, and I get why. The story is kinda dumb and it also never really resolves. Just sorta... ends. BUT I do love getting to play as both Nancy and the Hardy boys. Also I spend far too much time fishing and playing Wiki Tiki.

Screw the necklaces, though.

Oct 21, 2025·3h·Verified

Steam User 7875STEAMRecommended

Loved this game! It wasn't too hard and it was just a fun time exploring Hawaii! I can see myself going back to play this one when i just want to have a chill time with a ND game. The story actually made sense so I always appreciate that.

Aug 26, 2025·9h·Verified

Steam User 9446STEAMRecommended

making shell necklaces and fishing in this game is asmr. idk if this game is easy or if im just getting good at nancy drew games. its one of the worst nancy drew games plot wise tbh, the villains motivation didn’t rlly make sense. the vibes are immaculate tho i liked chilling at the beach and i have too many nostalgic memories of the shaved ice.

Aug 5, 2025·14h·Verified

Steam User 4269STEAMRecommended

The gameplay is great. I feel like there should have been more, somehow? Like perhaps more bug related or science related interactions. Then the leisure time with Frank and Joe would have felt more well timed.
Its fairly easy to get the cart before the horse in this game, and I wonder if I missed a few interactions because I made a phone call at the wrong time. But it all worked out.

The ambiance was great, the puzzles were fun, there wasn't an explanation for why the statues did what they did, but hey, it's a nancy drew sleuth game. We can't discover every secret... right?

Aug 1, 2025·9h·Verified

Steam User 0422STEAMNot recommended

Pretty poor as Nancy Drew games go. Lots and lots of tedium with no real mystery of note.

Jul 9, 2025·6h·Verified

Steam User 8983STEAMRecommended

okay game

Jul 3, 2025·5h·Verified

Steam User 0403STEAMRecommended

The first part of this game is fun, but the later sections drag on a bit. I mostly enjoyed it though.

Jun 22, 2025·4h·1·Verified

Steam User 3332STEAMRecommended

I think out of all of the games in this series, this is one that I'm the most on the fence about. I like the mystery to solve, but a lot of the game is spent pushing through things like making necklaces, going fishing, and trying to figure out what areas are navigable and which are not. Some screens were kind of annoying in terms of navigation - you can't see in one direction and keep wondering if there's something you're missing. I didn't mind the clipboard work, it at least allowed me to get my puzzle on. Overall I'm going to say yes to recommending it, even though it may be more out of nostalgia than actual value that the game provides. 5/10.

May 10, 2025·8h·Verified

Steam User 9334STEAMRecommended

I usually get at least 6-7 hours of play time with Nancy Drew games, but I was able to finish this one in 4. Plays really quick, but there are some elements you can use to play longer, like the fishing and shell collecting.

May 4, 2025·11h·Verified

Steam User 8736STEAMRecommended

This was easy. But a little slow. Good time was dedicated to fishing. :-) It is a good time for music hearing.

Apr 26, 2025·9h·Verified

Steam User 9093STEAMRecommended

One of my favorite nancy drew games!

Apr 6, 2025·4h·3·Verified

Steam User 2513STEAMRecommended

It was the shortest (and easiest) Nancy Drew game I've played (10 hours). I think it was intended to be longer but A LOT of the storyline seemed to be cut out and added as a narrative info dump. Its a shame because what there was of the game, I really enjoyed.

Mar 29, 2025·13h·Verified

Steam User 7998STEAMRecommended

This was a really fun one! I did find it very easy compared to other Nancy Drew games and feel like I won it very quickly. Overall, very fun game and worth the purchase!

Mar 24, 2025·11h·Verified

Steam User 8439STEAMRecommended

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Mar 19, 2025·25h·Verified

Steam User 2030STEAMNot recommended

Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave is one of my least favorite of the HER series. With a strong emphasis on science-y story and puzzles, it doesn't appeal to me personally. I played this game once when it originally came out and have never replayed it until now.

Pros: Switching to the POV of the Hardy Boys was a lot of fun and different than other games in this series. The mini games of shell scavenging, necklace making, and fishing were okay, if a bit repetitive. Vibrant scenery based in Hawaii.

Cons: Several of the puzzles. Non-engaging story. For me, the Quigly character was insufferable. Dr. Craven is a terrifying character of a man with volatile anger issues. The frass examination task is awful. Even the titular Kapu Cave wasn't all that great. There was very little to explore at Kapu Cave and when Nancy did finally get farther inside, it was at the end of the game already.

Overall, this one is not that memorable, and there's a reason I had only played this one once before. This game sat on pause for hours on end because I would get frustrated and demotivated to keep trying at the puzzles. I did finally finish this one, however. I won't be replaying this one anytime soon, that's for sure.

Mar 17, 2025·12h

Steam User 4111STEAMRecommended

People are too mean to Kapu Cave. I know, I know, but hear me out. First of all: it's in Hawaii. I mean...come on, you've gotta give it up, the environments are gorgeous. I LOVE walking along the beach, collecting shells, making necklaces, and fishing off the pier. It's so relaxing and fun, I could do it for hours. Also...I...kind of like the characters? Big Island Mike is goofy and pretty iconic within the Nancy Drew fanbase, but I think the others are good too. Lots of people find Dr. Quigley annoying, but I like her. She is kooky and scatter-brained, but also passionate about her work, and honestly, I think she feels very real (I've known people like her). I also enjoy talking to Dr. Kraven. He's loud, angry, memorable, and I love listening to him yell at people in the other room. It's funny to me, for some reason. The game's soundtrack is a little less than perfect, but it still has some good music. Lastly, I'm probably going to get taken out back and shot for this, but I LOVE the frass puzzle. I love all the puzzles in this game, actually. I feel like a real scientist working in the field, and that brings me joy. Really, about the only thing about this game that I think is absolute trash is the ending. It's bad. I will give you that. No, it's awful. BUT, I think if you only judge it based on what happens before the endgame, it's pretty good. Or maybe not good, just...fun? From my point of view? I'm not selling this well. Whatever. I like Kapu Cave.

Feb 28, 2025·6h·4·Verified

Steam User 0050STEAMRecommended

lots of fun dialog and i enjoyed playing as frank and joe a nice change up.

Feb 23, 2025·6h·Verified

Steam User 1452STEAMRecommended

имба, но лучше бы на русском было(

Feb 19, 2025·4h·Verified

Steam User 8298STEAMRecommended

````It's lots of fun things to do. You get to make necklaces from seashells, collect seashells, and fish. Plus lots of different puzzles to figure out with the help of the Hardy boys. Also you get to go snorkeling and collect seashells. Plenty of fun and excitement!!````

Feb 18, 2025·102h·Verified

Steam User 4890STEAMRecommended

Good, short

Jan 29, 2025·5h

Steam User 6539STEAMRecommended

Does this game have the most sophisticated plot of all the Nancy Drew games? No. Is it kind of awkward and weird and disjointed? Yes. Do I love it? Absolutely. The setting is gorgeous, the puzzles are fun, the characters are ridiculous and fun. My partner and I wanted to go to Hawaii in real life but looked at flights and hotels and were like, nope, not happening so we played this game and felt pretty good about our life.

Jan 21, 2025·5h·Verified

Steam User 5208STEAMRecommended

One of my favorite volumes to go back to. The ending is slightly lackluster, but the story throughout and puzzles/mini games are so chill and fun. Super fun being the first game to be able to play as the Hardy boys as well. It's not as intense as some of the other games, but just so relaxing and fun.

Dec 20, 2024·28h·2·Verified

Steam User 7361STEAMRecommended

I love this one! Such a pretty and relaxing atmosphere to stroll around. I love collecting shells and making necklaces, and I even like the jungle science puzzles. One of my favorite settings in Nancy Drew games with fun puzzles!

Dec 15, 2024·9h·Verified

Steam User 0444STEAMRecommended

If there was a neutral voting option it'd be that for this game.

Played this twice on Steam - 1st time took 6.5 hours, 2nd play through took 4.2 hours.

This game reached the ending very abruptly - you would be thinking you're only halfway through but suddenly the culprit is revealed and the game ends. It's not a bad game and I did enjoy most of it, it's just such a shame they cut it so short. It had the potential to have a longer and more comprehensive story.

I liked the relaxing beach vibe supported by the soundtrack and atmosphere.

Didn't really like the tedious tasks to earn 'money'. Necklace-making itself is pretty fun but the lack of variety of resources makes it a lot less fun. Fishing is the worst, very repetitive and slow.

The puzzles in this game isn't hard, most of them are pretty easy.

Oct 13, 2024·11h·Verified

Steam User 8658STEAMRecommended

I loved playing the Nancy Drew games as a kid and still really enjoy them as an adult.
This mystery is a fun one, where you can go fishing and look for shells on the beach, and look for bugs in the jungle. Fair warning, one of the big puzzles in this game is getting information from looking at different samples (counting bugs and seeds and stuff), so if attention to detail puzzles isn't your thing, you might want to try one of the other games first.
This game took me about 4 hours as an adult and about 8-10 hours as a kid.

Sep 28, 2024·4h·Verified

Steam User 8370STEAMRecommended

+ Beautiful environments that I really wished I could see in real life
+ Relaxing soundtrack
+ Relaxing minigames (I especially liked making necklaces)
+ Cozy vibe
+ I learned a lot about the game's setting, Hawai'i, when I played this game
+ I liked being able to switch between Nancy and the Hardy Brothers, and I liked seeing their personalities reflected in their notebooks/task lists

- The story was a bit lacking
- With so few suspects, the culprit result was a bit predictable
The mystery started out intriguing but dulled out a bit toward the middle/end
- Most of the characters were really rude to Nancy and the Hardy Boys in this game. I didn't really like that too much.
- No Bess and George phone calls made me kinda sad! I love it when you can call the Hardy Boys, Ned, AND Bess and George.

This is probably my least favorite Nancy Drew game I've played so far (and I haven't and don't intend to play MID), when it comes to the gameplay, to a degree. There's a fair bit of back-tracking, and some of the tasks can be quite repetitive/tedious.

On the other hand, I still enjoyed the game overall. I don't hold it to the same standard as the others in this series, as the mystery factor turned out a bit disappointing and the gameplay could've been better, but I didn't dislike the game.

The thing I probably enjoyed the most was the environment, which were genuinely beautiful and interesting. I also enjoyed the relaxing music, and the computer in Big Island Mike's where you can learn a lot about Hawai'i. I've always loved the edutainment aspect in Nancy Drew games, so I enjoyed that part too.

The puzzles weren't bad in this one, but some of them were very involved. The dialogue was alright; I liked the exchanges between Nancy and the Hardy Boys. But I did miss calling Bess and George in this game.

Overall, while it's one of the weaker Nancy Drew games I've played, I still liked it, but I do wish it had been executed better. However, I did go into this one for the first time knowing that it was one of the lesser-loved titles. Going into it with low-to-medium expectations, it about met my expectations, maybe exceeded them in some factors. I'd say I felt about the same about Ransom of the Seven Ships; loved the environment, music, and setting, but I wanted a bit more from the story and mystery than what was given.

Not at all a bad gaming experience, but I know Nancy Drew games can be better than this. I do genuinely hope that Her Interactive make another game in a tropical location with a little more love put into it than in these; I love tropical settings, especially when done well.

Sep 19, 2024·6h·Verified

Steam User 5322STEAMRecommended

Fun, easy, nostalgic point-and-click mystery game with a relaxing, natural background (forest, ocean, beach).

Aug 13, 2024·9h·Verified

Steam User 6876STEAMRecommended

I dont think it deserves the mixed reviews. It's definitely not high on my list but its mid and some are much worse in my opinion. It also had some great enjoyable puzzles

Aug 8, 2024·8h·Verified

Steam User 9467STEAMRecommended

This game gets two thumbs up. Loved the characters and voice actors. 9.3/10

Aug 5, 2024·5h

Steam User 3824STEAMRecommended

You can experience the BIG ISLAND if you can't visit it for real!

Jul 9, 2024·3h·Verified

Steam User 6863STEAMRecommended

This was pretty fun, the entomology stuff we had to do was a bit boring so I used a guide to give me a lot of those answers. But, the cast of characters were fun and it was great to work with Frank and Joe Hardy again! I'm also glad that the villain of the story wasn't all that evil, I still liked them after finding out who they really were.

Jul 3, 2024·3h·Verified

Steam User 9330STEAMNot recommended

Creature of Kapu Cave is one of the messiest Nancy Drew games in the entire series. The story is convoluted and confusing, and the motives and basically the entire mystery surrounding the culprit are only revealed at the very end. This leaves it impossible to solve the case on your own because the game essentially keeps the story hidden from you. I do not enjoy most of the puzzles in this game or the characters. The only saving graces, in my opinion, are the setting, option puzzles like necklace making and fishing, and the inclusion of the Hardy Boys. If you don't mind the story problems, give the game a go for vibes lol.

Jun 20, 2024·13h·4·Verified

Steam User 0799STEAMRecommended

I liked this game. It did feel shorter, but the puzzles and gameplay felt intuitive to me! Plus, the scenery was beautiful and I like seeing the Hardy boys. I do think the plot was a bit far fetched, but I didn't mind the ending :)

Jun 3, 2024·6h·Verified

Steam User 4759STEAMRecommended

I have almost 100 hours in this game because I left it up on my laptop that I had left on for a couple of days and didn't realize it. That being said, I've played this one many times. This is worth playing once or twice, but this isn't one of the best ones at all. Get it for your collection or a first time play, but don't get this if you're looking for one of Nancy's great mysteries. Lackluster, but pretty and relaxing with mind-numbing tasks. Steam should consider putting a neutral option for recommendations because you could do with or without this one and I don't think this deserves a flat out "yes".

May 14, 2024·99h·Verified

Steam User 3104STEAMRecommended

love the series!

May 13, 2024·11h·Verified

Steam User 8744STEAMNot recommended

Although this is one of the first ND games I played and it holds a special place in my heart, [i]The Creature of Kapu Cave[/i] is a weak entry into the ND series. This game has some of the easiest puzzles, and on top of that there aren't many puzzles to begin with, so none of them are very memorable. Although switching between the Hardy Boys and Nancy was a cool concept, I don't think it was cool enough to make up for the lackluster aspects of this entry.

Unless you're planning on playing all of the ND games, this one is definitely worth the skip. I regret even spending $7 on it.

Apr 18, 2024·5h·Verified

Steam User 0614STEAMNot recommended

2.5/5

Oh Kapu Cave... you had so much potential. I think this game has fun puzzles, interesting characters, and a very promising premise.... it just truly fails to hold up. I think that's because it really feels like the game is incomplete. The ending is highly unsatisfying, and there's just simply not enough play-time to it. That being said, it's still more enjoyable overall than some of the other less... palatable titles in the series. I really just wish there was more to it, especially because Hawaii makes for an incredible setting.

Apr 11, 2024·5h·Verified

Steam User 4677STEAMRecommended

A short game but I love Nancy Drew. I think there was a lot of technical speak so my confusion mimicked Nancy's!

Mar 17, 2024·10h·Verified

Steam User 0159STEAMRecommended

One of the more linear Nancy Drew games which occasionally lacks in the puzzles, but is ultimately a fun and cozy time. If you're a fan of the series then you'll def enjoy this one if only for the change of scenery and Hardy Boys.

Mar 9, 2024·10h·Verified

Steam User 1990STEAMNot recommended

frank was the most exciting part of this game

Feb 4, 2024·4h·Verified

Steam User 6651STEAMRecommended

nice

Jan 1, 2024·13h·Verified

Steam User 3363STEAMNot recommended

This is usually what people say is the worst of the Nancy Drew games, though I personally think The Shattered Medallion and Labyrinth of Lies are close choices this also takes the cake. It feels much too short and much too tedious, half of the "puzzles" are basically chores that are very straightforward and not really puzzles, and the few that were puzzles relies on guesswork most of the time. The story is quite nice actually with interesting characters and nice voice acting, but the somehow weird jank of the graphics and animations in this game specifically kind of takes the immersion out of it.
Only play this if you're a completionist who wants to play all the Nancy Drew games, otherwise, you can skip this one.

Dec 6, 2023·4h·Verified

Steam User 8394STEAMRecommended

Although I know many people do not like this game, I personally love it! The relaxing music, fishing and collecting shells.. it's very calming for me. The mystery is interesting and I enjoy exploring the Hawaiian jungle and beaches. There are a few plot holes to this mystery, and the writing could've used some work, but overall I really enjoy playing this Nancy Drew game and also replaying it. It is very nostalgic for me, but I love the beach vibes and location.

Nov 26, 2023·13h·Verified

Steam User 3592STEAMNot recommended

Although not as soul-draining and cringeworthy as Shattered Medallion, Creature of Kapu Cave definitely deserves its numerous thumbs-down. The map is exhausting, the characters are annoying, and every task is a chore passed off as a puzzle (but most certainly is not). For perspective, the most complex 'challenge' of the game revolves solely around collecting and analyzing caterpillar sh*t. If that wasn't enough, this is yet another ND game where you cannot solve the mystery. They just explain it to you at the end. 2/10, and only because I'm in the Christmas spirit and am feeling generous.

Nov 26, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 4457STEAMNot recommended

hands down the worst Nancy I've ever played (and I've played em all), just wasn't up to the normal Nancy standards. very short, lacking in puzzles and the story was weak and uninspiring. oh and you pretty much get yelled at by everyone the entire game. it was an odd one to say the least. I hate to even give a negative Nancy review but this one was just badddd.

Nov 4, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 5266STEAMNot recommended

The visuals in this installment of Nancy Drew were outstanding - especially the underwater scuba scenes! - but overall plot and game play was lackluster at best. The character backstories felt unrelated to the plot, making the locations feel disjointed and, thus, traveling was frustrating because I could only ask myself "why though?" And to top it all off, the game ended so abruptly! The final puzzle was all too easy, making me think there was a second act ahead when suddenly it was...over. I mean, it only took me 3 hours and that included a lot of shell collecting and fishing.

Sadly this was the first time I ever felt cheated out of my money on a Nancy Drew game, so I'd give it 1/5 stars for worth but 4/5 for visuals.

Oct 26, 2023·4h·1·Verified

Steam User 2953STEAMNot recommended

Probabbly the worst one in the series

Oct 25, 2023·8h·1·Verified

Steam User 3198STEAMRecommended

Good

Sep 20, 2023·4h·Verified

Steam User 7964STEAMNot recommended

Not the best Nancy ever.
The plot itself is not sooo intriguing to my taste.
Still not bad. The atmosphere is pleasan.t
But many actually boring puzzles.

Sep 1, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 5504STEAMRecommended

Игра Детства! Помню когда мне было семь лет, моя старшая сестра купила диск с этой игрой и мы оба играли в Нэнси Дрю

Aug 30, 2023·7h·Verified

Steam User 5403STEAMNot recommended

Easily the worst nancy drew i've played. It's obvious, the locks just make very little sense, and I thought it was just starting up when I found myself at the end and the last puzzle sucks. DO NOT RECCOMMEND

Aug 17, 2023·10h·Verified

Steam User 6949STEAMNot recommended

Chores over investigation and exploration, very limited in the puzzles department.

Aug 11, 2023·4h·Verified

Steam User 9917STEAMNot recommended

33 Nancy Drew games and this is my least favorite. I love the Nancy Drew games, but inevitably, one of them had to be bottom of the barrel. This game is chaotic, the characters are bland, and there isn't even a good backstory or plot. Save yourself the trouble and go for any of the other games in the series before this one.

Jul 30, 2023·11h·Verified

Steam User 0410STEAMRecommended

It's not in my top ten of Nancy Drew games, but it still has interesting puzzles and decent mechanics. However earning the money needed to get to the puzzles became a bit tedious through the game, and the whole wrap up at the end all seemed to come about very sudden without much actual mystery solving on my part at all. Still worth a play though.

Jul 15, 2023·7h·2·Verified

Steam User 6264STEAMRecommended

It's obvious some corners were cut during the production - most minigames were designed to just eat time and make the game look longer, the characters are underwritten and the story ends abruptly, requiring Nancy to provide exposition in the ending narration to fill in the gaps. That being said, it's a decent time killer. If you want to check the series out, there are better places to start (like "Shadow At The Water's Edge"). And if you're just trying to complete the series, I'd leave this title for later.

6/10

Jul 11, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 7726STEAMRecommended

FUNNN!

Jul 5, 2023·1h·Verified

Steam User 2114STEAMRecommended

The side games are fun, but the overarching story is just OK.

Jun 13, 2023·12h·Verified

Steam User 1083STEAMRecommended

[h1] Underrated [/h1]
This game is not for everyone. In fact, over 50% of people would probably not enjoy this one. This is because there is one particular puzzle that is very drawn out and very analytical. It can also can take a while. If that sounds fun to you, then you will enjoy this game, as it takes up a lot of the game. I loved it, but some people might find it torturous. The chores for big island bucks are terrible, though. That's my only gripe with the game.
Pros:
- The Frass Puzzle
- Good exploration
Cons:
- Chores for money (LOTS of grinding)
- Not scary

May 24, 2023·6h·Verified

Steam User 3859STEAMRecommended

С первый минут геймплея я понял как же я соскучился по квестам старой школы. Эти неторопливые и подробные детективы, где можно неспеша почитать много интересной информации и проявить свою смекалку. Убаюкивающие и завораживающие Point & Click квесты всегда имели особое место в моей жизни.

Первая часть серии встречает нас довольно дружелюбно и под приятную музыку предлагает ознакомиться с игровыми механиками. Подано это все в виде толстенной книги, где мы можем сами выбирать нужный нам раздел и узнать необходимую информацию. Помимо того что текст пестрит картинками, основную суть нам зачитает девушка с приятным голосом. Все кто хоть раз играл в Point & Click квесты или hidden object думаю будут в курсе местных механик и передвижения. Тут есть функция поворота камеры через мышку, но я предпочел нажимать на клавиатурные стрелочки. У нас есть инвентарь, в который мы будем складывать вещи, мобильный телефон, который не раз выручит нас в трудную минуту и блокнот, где Нэнси будет записывать свои мысли и вести расследование. Ничего лишнего, все по делу. Отправляемся в условленное место.

Нас пригласила на Гавайи в качестве ассистентки Доктор Куигли, профессор-энтомолог, и наша задача помочь ей в исследованиях местного мира насекомых. Вот только есть небольшая загвоздка - она пропала. Местный владелец небольшого отеля-бунгала Большой Майк говорит что она может находиться в своем лагере, но для этого необходимо арендовать машину. Он соглашается отдать нам на время потрепанный пикап, но просит взамен сделать ему "Ожерелье Дружбы", для которого необходимо собрать ракушки на пляже. Выполнив простое поручение, мы дарим ожерелье нашему новому знакомому и получаем ключи от машины. Однако напоследок Майк предупреждает нас о том что на острове бушует мифическое существо Канэ Окала, которое мстит людям за их разрушительную для природы деятельность. Многие относятся к этой истории, как к байке, но Майк серьезен и просит нас быть поосторожней. Мы отправляемся в цветущие джунгли, в поисках нашей работодательницы.

Я ожидал что это будет длинная игра, однако небольшой размер карты быстро вернул меня в реальность. Я очень много тупил и бесцельно мотался по локациям, но на игру у меня ушло 7 часов. Все-таки моя привычка тыкать все наугад и природная удача наконец-то пригодились. Несмотря на свои размеры, локации тут живописные и наполнены приятным эмбиентом. Над головой перешептываются пальмы, в кустах шевелится и стрекочет какая-то живность, а свежий морской ветер обдувает нам лицо. Наша Нэнси оказалась очень разговорчивой и много комментирует происходящие события. У меня вообще сложилось впечатление будто я смотрю какой-то фильм, где веришь актерам и внимательно следишь за сюжетом. У персонажей тут хорошо прописаны характеры, а голоса на озвучке просто мое почтение. Головоломки тут конечно неочевидные, но практически все имеют скрытые подсказки. Нас будут буквально вести по ниточке и потеряться будет очень сложно. Также стоит не забывать пользоваться своим мобильником и иногда названивать находящимся там людям.

Не обошлось тут и без гринда. В этой игре есть денежная система и нам придется зарабатывать деньги. Это можно сделать либо наловив рыбы, что я является ограниченным источником дохода или собирать ракушки, переделывая их в ожерелья. За самыми красивыми и дорогими ракушками придется понырять в океан. Они периодически рандомно спавнятся на своих местах, поэтому придется хорошенько попылесосить окрестности. Зато это откроет возможность почитать местный лор и ознакомиться с некоторыми гавайскими традициями. Вообще сбор ракушек не смог меня задушить, так как я вовсю слушал шум океана. Над головой кричат чайки, а солнце слепит глаза. Несмотря на скромную графику сочетание эмбиента и визуала создает неплохую атмосферу. Мне не хотелось никуда спешить и я делал все в свое удовольствие.

Подводя итоги скажу что первая часть встретила меня дружелюбно и подарила мне хорошие впечатления. Я наслушался отзывов некоторых друзей и ожидал попасть в духоту, но благо все прошло гладко. Концовка, как и сюжет в целом, тут простенькие, но эта легкая наивность и непринужденность подкупают своим видом. Несмотря на присутствие механик гринда, это все еще прекрасный квест, который я с большим удовольствием прошел.

Apr 26, 2023·6h·12·Verified

Steam User 5837STEAMRecommended

i love Nancy drew games always have i'd totally recommend this game to anyone.

Apr 19, 2023·8h·Verified

Steam User 1608STEAMRecommended

Wikiwiki- for completing the game in record time on senior level! :) Wish I would have taken more time to explore and do more but I can just replay it for that! :D

Apr 18, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 4423STEAMRecommended

With announcement of the new game that's coming out, I'm playing through a bunch of the old ones. I will say, some of the tasks are a little bit annoying (going through all of the bug samples took longer than anything else in the game), but I like some of the other tasks. I didn't realize just how fast the playthrough of this game was - I literally just finished it in one sitting. I wish there was a little more dialogue between characters, and since you're splitting playtime between playing as the boys and Nancy, I wish there was more to do on the boys' side as their section is my favorite to play through. Overall, a good quick nostalgic playthrough.

Apr 17, 2023·4h·Verified

Steam User 4610STEAMNot recommended

tl:dr: This game really isn't herinteractive's finest work, but hardcore fans who are just playing it for the memes (like me) might enjoy it regardless.

This game is definitely not Herinteractive's finest work. The main issue that stood out to me was how strange and abrupt the endgame sequence ended up being. The final puzzle just felt a bit silly, and like there was no real sense of urgency or anything there.

On the bright side, I loved the scenery and settings in this game. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of/ puzzles in Kapu Cave, and found myself wishing that we got to spend some much more time in the cave itself. Having the Hardy Boys as playable characters was also a plus (I always love to see them!). I did find myself wishing that Joe got more screen time in this game though. And overall, this game felt incredibly short to me, which I was a bit disappointed by. I can't say I enjoyed the notorious frass puzzle too much either.

Overall, definitely not my favorite game, but hey, I love Nancy and I will pretty much play any game HerInteractive makes. I still enjoyed it anyways, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it to my friends or to folks who are just getting into the series. However, hardcore Nancy Drew game fans like me who are desperate to play every game currently available might enjoy this game despite its flaws. I still enjoyed it tbh, but also, I'll admit that my expectations of this game were pretty low going in. I'd definitely suggest that new fans start off the series with one of the more popular games instead (one of my favorites I'd recommend is Ghost of Thornton Hall).

Apr 9, 2023·8h·Verified

Steam User 6397STEAMRecommended

I recently discovered the Nancy Drew series and have been going through a lot of the different games - I live by myself in an apartment that I spend most of the day in, and this is a major way that I keep boredom at bay. True, this one is on the short side and the puzzles are easier than they are in other ND games, but I have tried several of those with puzzles that made me swear at the computer - they were either impossible unless I had the reflexes of a fighter jet pilot and the brain of a PhD engineer, or they were so simple I felt like I was back in high school. I prefer not to have to abandon a game that I have spent my money on. Creature of Kapu Cave is just good fun and a nice visit to Hawaii, which is fine with me.

Apr 5, 2023·24h·Verified

Steam User 8092STEAMRecommended

mid

Apr 3, 2023·4h·Verified

Steam User 0367STEAMRecommended

drew crew

Mar 25, 2023·9h

Steam User 4972STEAMNot recommended

Сюжет на 3/10, персонажі досить плоскі, "таємниця" теж.

Задачі з біології цікаві лише якщо ви ну дуже любите математику. Потенціал у гри був чудовий - перемикатися між Ненсі та братами Харді, дайвити, лазити по печерам, нишпорити лабораторією. Атмосфера самого острову та її контраст з джунглями - супер. Але власне гра вийшла не дуже. Можливо було б краще, якби розробники додали ще хоча б годину геймплею, щоб розкрити мотивації персонажів.

Не найкраща гра про Ненсі, рекомендую тільки якщо вона буде на знижці, або вам ну зовсім нема в що пограти з цієї серії ігор.

Mar 21, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 1791STEAMRecommended

Not the best Nancy, but still fun!

Feb 6, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 3512STEAMRecommended

I'm playing my way through all of the ND games, and I suspect most people reading this review are too, regardless of reviews! But here are my thoughts anyway.

I had glanced at the mixed reviews for this game before playing and repeatedly during the game I was wondering to myself why on earth it had those reviews...and then I got to the end lol. I do agree that this title is one of the more chore-intensive games in the series, but the fishing was the only thing that got annoying after a bit. if you had to save up for more things other than the snorkeling gear it would've been way more irritating, and i loved the puzzles in this one...doing all the bug science was very fun to me! but christ on a crutch the ending came absolutely out of left field lmao, I was not at all expecting to finish the game at 3.5 hours, especially at the point it cut off. without spoiling it, there are several unwrapped up plot points, to the point that the game could have been about something else entirely. super bizarre. i was really, really enjoying it up until the end, which is a big bummer. however, i think because of its short length and fairly easy/streamlined puzzles it would be a good starter game.

Feb 2, 2023·4h·1·Verified

Steam User 2586STEAMRecommended

cute

Jan 19, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 9899STEAMRecommended

It was very chill, a nice calming ND game. No, it wasn't as puzzle heavy or intense as others, but that's why I liked it! A relaxing pace, similar to Treasure in the Royal Tower. Would recommend if you want a casual play through with simple activities to escape for a couple of hours. Can be done in one sitting.

Nov 22, 2022·5h·3·Verified

Steam User 4608STEAMRecommended

Good game, but not a lot of story line and it was over quite quickly (My game time doubled as it didn't save!)
Would buy if looking for an easyish game, or it's on sale.

Nov 16, 2022·10h·Verified

Steam User 2815STEAMRecommended

I've been a huge fan of Nancy Drew/HERInteractive since i was little. This game never gets old, definitely at the top of my list. Check out my instagram nancydrewblog if you love Nancy too:)

Oct 14, 2022·7h·Verified

Steam User 6403STEAMNot recommended

No spoilers, but this game was very boring in comparison to other games in the series. Very linear, feels exceptionally short, and it felt that the introduction of the Hardy Boys was wasted.

Sep 19, 2022·5h·Verified

Steam User 3082STEAMRecommended

One of the easier and more laid back Nancy Drew games especially for experienced players, but still a fun story and play through. As someone who also enjoys The Hardy Boys and animal crossing, the money making methods were very enjoyable. If you prefer to stay one character, this Nancy Drew game will not be as appealing. The puzzles of this one were less strictly logic-based (e.g. sudoku, nonogram) than other Nancy Drew's and more realistic/environmental for the most part (e.g. field sample collecting and analysis - weighing, table look-ups). If you're looking for more chill and less scare, this is a good Nancy Drew to choose. Dare to play.

Aug 24, 2022·8h·Verified

Steam User 2725STEAMRecommended

On the shorter and gooier side of the Nancy Drew gaming spectrum but not a bad title.

Aug 2, 2022·8h·Verified

Steam User 1413STEAMRecommended

A solid entry into the series!! There's fun parts and there were a couple of things I looked up instead of solving (looking at you, shaved ice stand) and it's not in my top five but I'd certainly recommend playing it. Especially if you're in the mood for a tropical vacation!!

Jul 28, 2022·9h·Verified

Steam User 4419STEAMRecommended

I've played a lot of Nancy Drew Games and I think this was the easiest so far. And that says a lot. While I still enjoyed the game and love the series, this one would probably be okay to skip if you are looking for a bigger mystery with more challenging puzzles and adventure.

Jul 15, 2022·2h·Verified

Steam User 5729STEAMRecommended

This was a fun game, but felt a bit shorter than the other Nancy Drew games. I enjoyed the setting and exploration. The puzzles were fun, and this game had some good action. I also love any game with the Hardy Bros (although they sure look weird in this one, not sure why they totally changed the character design for this game).

Jul 14, 2022·10h·Verified

Steam User 1159STEAMRecommended

♡ ∩_∩
(„• ֊ •„)♡
|￣U U￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
| 10 /10 |
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Jun 25, 2022·17h

Steam User 0823STEAMNot recommended

Very little in terms of puzzles and mystery; a lot of plot points get resolved without your influence, and one puzzle is even random chance. Mostly you're feeding a guy sno-cones and sorting through bug poop. Seriously.
If you're looking for a nice puzzle-based mystery game, I don't recommend this one, though the setting is nice.

That being said, the Tiki game and Hawai'i information is really neat! If you're looking for a nice relaxing game, it has that, but bug poop propels the plot.

Jun 17, 2022·6h·Verified

Steam User 4262STEAMRecommended

A fun but short adventure in the Nancy Drew series. I did enjoy the setting, plot and puzzles however this game does somehow feel shorter than the rest of them. If you can get this game on sale then it's definitely worth it!

May 3, 2022·5h·Verified

Steam User 1648STEAMRecommended

Okay so anyone who's familiar with ND games knows that this game doesn't have the best reviews. However, i think that this game is really fun and definitely worth the play. I find the shell collecting and fishing 50/50 annoying and relaxing depending on you luck with how easy it is to find the shells you need. Plot is great and quirky in typical ND fashion.

Apr 11, 2022·19h·Verified

Steam User 9909STEAMRecommended

The ending was a let down kind of but I think this game deserves more credit than it gets. I know most people rate it one of their least favorite but I think it was fun. If you like nature and science stuff you will definitely like this Nancy Drew game

Feb 24, 2022·6h

Steam User 8195STEAMRecommended

I would not recommend this be your first game, and I would probably wait to buy it until there is a sale. The ending was getting really good but then I somehow clicked through the "finale" puzzle correctly on the first try so I didnt have time to actually learn what the goal of the puzzle was. Solid B-

Feb 9, 2022·13h·Verified

Steam User 6623STEAMRecommended

Kinda short. Ok for fun, I liked the setting and working with the Hardy boys. Not a whole lot of mystery though.

Feb 3, 2022·23h·Verified

Steam User 9981STEAMNot recommended

Oh dear. As I have slowly but surely made my way through the Nancy Drew series, I have generally avoided the ones that people consider "the bad ones", with a couple of exceptions. Despite the reputations of certain games, I like to try and give them the benefit of the doubt whenever I pick them up. For example, players generally consider Danger by Design one of the worst games. While it certainly was not the best, there were several things that I did enjoy about it. So, when I approached The Creature of Kapu Cave, a game generally regarded as being one of the worst games in the franchise, I approached it with an open mind. I expected to find enjoyment in it, even if the game itself was apparently messy. Maybe I would find it wasn't as bad as others said it was.......that did not happen. It's a bad one folks. A kind of perplexingly bad one. The game started fairly strong, but The Creature of Kapu Cave has swiftly become one of my least favorite entries in the entire series.

Let us start with the (few) positives:
- The setting of Hawaii is a good choice for a Nancy Drew adventure, and it is utilized fairly well. You spend your time either exploring around a beach or in the heart of a jungle or volcano. I do wish there was a bit MORE for you to explore in these areas, but it at least looks nice. It is certainly one of the more unique Nancy Drew locations.
- The main gimmick for this game is being able to switch between Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, a mechanic that later games would expand on even further (such as switching to Bess in Legend of the Crystal Skull, or switching to Bess, George, and (my boy) Ned in Alibi in Ashes). It is definitely fun and refreshing to switch to different characters in these games, and it was certainly fun at times to snoop around as Frank and Joe...well, mostly just Frank. Without spoiling, you don't get to play as poor Joe much in this game, which removes some of the fun of even switching to the Hardy boys in the first place. The Hardy boy sections are also, admittedly, fairly lackluster. The mechanic itself is fun, but it was utilized far better in later games.
- The music was all right. Nancy Drew games usually have fairly decent music. This one wasn't necessarily anything special, though there was a jaunty little ukulele that sometimes played. Otherwise, it was serviceable.
- Ned is in the game, which is always a plus. He has some genuinely funny bits in this game. I do also wish Bess and George were around, but that is an incredibly minor nitpick.

And that's it. That is literally all of the positives I can think of.

Now, the negatives:
- The cast is probably one of the weakest in the entire franchise, with every single character being either boring or just plain unpleasant. Big Island Mike is basically a walking Hawaiian stereotype in terms of design and personality, acting as a sort of huckster who preys on tourists. His daughter, Pua, is not much better. She is by far the most boring member of the cast, having little personality beyond "loves to surf". Dr. Kim is EXTREMELY annoying and the game seems to realize it. Her nasally voice, a "running gag" the game pokes fun at, becomes quite grating as she sends you on several errands, all while berating you or rambling on about random topics. Lastly is Dr. Craven, a character who you need to talk to maybe...twice? Craven's personality is basically "narcissist with anger issues" and is generally unpleasant for what little time to talk to him. He does have some of the funnier lines of the cast, but he's still a flat character who barely factors into the plot at all. None of the new phone characters are particularly interesting either.
- The puzzles are generally boring and/or tedious. Most of the "puzzles" revolve around running errands or performing fetch quests/tasks for one of the characters, and aren't challenging enough to be engaging. The infamous chart "puzzle" for Dr. Kim is extremely boring and one of the longer puzzles in the game. The only puzzle that required any sort of "thinking" was the fertilizer puzzle, which I ended up guessing and getting right on my first try lol. There's also the awful shaved ice "puzzle" where you basically just have to mix and match snow cone flavors and feed them to Big Mike until you guess the right combo...that's it. A genuinely bad showing in terms of puzzles, sadly.
- The Plot. This is probably the worst aspect of this game. Without spoiling too much, the game feels like it ends a good two or three hours before it should. It could have benefited from a longer amount of playtime, because the plot and ending feel extremely rushed. The story basically consists of four smaller plots: Dr. Kim and her bugs, Hilihili research center and its weird activities, Big Island Mike and Pua's whole business, and then the "creature" of Kapu Cave, who barely factors into the plot at all except in the most arbitrary of ways. It simply becomes unwieldy and the game genuinely fails at trying to make all of these separate elements meld together. You spend so much time doing fetch quests, you end up doing very little snooping or actual mystery solving. This tends to happen when Nancy's "case" is just: "I'm working as an unpaid intern for someone". When she's actually hired on for a case, the mystery takes priority. When she's hired as an intern, the games usually have a hard time balancing between Nancy's "job" and the mystery. Kapu Cave fails to make this work. The ending is particularly so rushed that the culprit reveal comes right out of nowhere without any sort of catharsis. The fact that Nancy had to spend the ENTIRETY of the "epilogue" explaining the culprit's "plan" shows just how ludicrous and overbearing the story of this game was.
- I'm sure the models looked good at the time, but here....yikes. I think they generally look worse than some of the preceding games like Last Train or even Danger by Design. Pua in particular has a pretty ugly looking model, while the rest just look...off. The Hardy Boys got a distinct visual downgrade from Last Train, with poor Joe looking particularly rough. Dude really got the short end of the stick in this game.
- As usual, the mini games are pretty boring. Making shell necklaces is not really a challenge, and trying to make any necklaces beyond the most basic one is pointless, because by the time you can get the rarest shells, you've pretty much already gotten everything you need Big Island Bucks for. The Wiki Tiki game is literally rock paper scissors. It's a game of luck and you don't even need to play it to beat the game. Fishing is the least offensive. It's boring as hell, but fairly chill.
- This is another game that annoyingly tries to add drama to Ned and Nancy's relationship by having her low-key flirt with Frank, despite the two having no real chemistry whatsoever (and Frank pretty much lacking a personality outside of being "the serious brother"). It's simply unnecessary and ends up coming to nothing anyway. This is a pet peeve I have with a few of the later games in general. I'm not playing these games for relationship drama between Nancy and Ned. I'm here for the mystery. Leave them alone lol

And there you have it. I really wanted to give this game a chance. I was, at first, intrigued by the setting of the game and by the chill island atmosphere at the start. Sadly, it all gave way to an irritating cast, forgettable puzzles, a messy story, and a disappointingly rushed ending. I'm sorry to say that this one is just as weak as everyone says it is. It's not the worst game I've ever played, but it is certainly one of the worst Nancy Drew games I've played, if not the worst so far (I have not played Ransom of the Seven Ships, Shattered Medallion, or Midnight in Salem yet). I would recommend playing this one ONLY if you are a completionist looking to play every game in the series. Otherwise, I'd say give this one a pass.

The Creature of Kapu Cave gets a 3 out of 10.

Jan 19, 2022·6h·Verified

Steam User 5322STEAMRecommended

I played Nancy Drew games as a kid, they're definitely not for everyone lol but I love them. It's a flash back to my childhood for sure :)

Jan 9, 2022·5h·Verified