16 Mystery Games to Play Like Nancy Drew

Updated on June 2nd, 2026

The Nancy Drew games are one of my favorite series to play. However, with the flop of Midnight in Salem and the convoluted gameplay of Mystery of the Seven Keys, I have been looking for other mystery games to fill the void. In this post, I will be sharing mystery games I recommend playing as well as some upcoming games to keep your eye on.

16 Mystery Games Like Nancy Drew

#1 Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders

The ABC Murders is a point-and-click mystery game based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name. In the game, you play as detective Hercule Poirot, who finds himself up against a serial killer who goes by the name of ABC. I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie, and I especially love the Hercule Poirot books. The ABC Murders is a fun game with interesting puzzles, and I did not expect the ending.

I have also played Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The First Cases, where you play as Hercule Poirot during his early years as a detective. Lastly, the first Agatha Christie games I ever played were Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None and Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express. And Then There Were None follows 10 strangers who are invited to a lavish estate on an island, but there is an unseen killer on the loose. In Murder on the Orient Express, you help Hercule Poirot solve a murder on a train. Neither game is on Steam, but you can play them for free on My Abandonware.

Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders is $14.99 on Steam

#2 Alex Hill: Whispers at White Oak Inn

Alex Hill: Whispers at White Oak Inn is a point-and-click mystery game where you play as detective Alex Hill. She is tasked with investigating the threatening letters an employee is receiving at a haunted inn. The game’s developer, Hannahontrek, was inspired by the Nancy Drew games. There are even numerous Nancy Drew references in the game. Also, I enjoyed the voice acting, and the puzzles were fun. Alex Hill is a great game!

Alex Hill: Whispers at White Oak Inn is $19.99 on Steam

#3 Aurora Hills: Chapter 1

Aurora Hills: Chapter 1 is the first part of a point-and-click puzzle adventure game. In the game, you play as park ranger Ethan Hill, who is investigating the disappearances from Aurora Hills in the Appalachian Mountains. I enjoyed playing Chapter 1, and there are a variety of challenging puzzles as well as an in-game hint system if you get stuck. The next chapters have not been released yet, but they will likely be paid based on the developer’s other game, Meridian 157.

Aurora Hills: Chapter 1 is free to play on Steam

#4 The Big Hollow: 1982

In The Big Hollow: 1982, you play as Desmond, a new detective learning the art of criminal profiling to solve the murders of two women in a small truck stop community. In the game, you will look for clues in the photos, read through statements, and use the evidence to answer the questions and ultimately find the killer. The Big Hollow: 1982 does have a darker undertone than the Nancy Drew games, but it is a good game where you can put your logic skills to the test.

The Big Hollow: 1982 is $6.99 on Steam

#5 The Darkside Detective

In The Darkside Detective, you play as Detective Francis McQueen, who is part of the Darkside Division, which investigates strange occurrences in Twin Lakes. The game has 9 different cases to solve, and they are a lot of fun, especially with the references to pop culture. Also, the Darkside Detective is point-and-click, and the puzzles are not too hard to figure out.

There is also a sequel, The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark, which includes 9 more cases for Detective McQueen to solve.

The Darkside Detective is $14.99 on Steam

#6 Detective Dotson

Detective Dotson is set in India, and you play as Dotson as he uncovers details about his father’s sudden passing. There are 4 cases to investigate, and completing each one ties into the final mystery. I enjoyed playing through the cases. There are also several mini games to play, including finding hidden objects, playing street cricket, and having a dance-off. Playing the mini games allows you to earn money that you can use to barter and buy from various stalls and complete quests. Overall, Detective Dotson is a fun mystery adventure game.

Detective Dotson is $14.99 on Steam

#7 Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami follows Duck Detective, who investigates a sausage-based conspiracy. In the point-and-click game, you inspect and interview suspects to figure out their secrets. The game is a lot of fun to play, and I especially love that it is fully voice-acted.

In the sequel, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping, you play as Duck Detective again as he cracks the case of a haunted luxury campsite.

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is $9.99 on Steam

#8 Escape Academy

In Escape Academy, you are a student training to become the ultimate Escapist. There are over a dozen escape room-themed puzzles, which get progressively more challenging. However, there is a hint system if you get stuck. The story is also great, and the game is perfect for Nancy Drew fans who enjoy the puzzles in the game.

Escape Academy is $19.99 on Steam

#9 Firewatch

Firewatch is set in 1989, and you play as Henry, who becomes a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness, where his only contact is his supervisor, Delilah, through the radio. However, something strange draws Henry out of the lookout tower and into the forest. Firewatch is a bit different than the Nancy Drew games because it is not point and click, and there are no suspects to interview, but the atmosphere is fantastic, and there is a mystery. Also, you can make choices throughout the game, and I do like that both Henry and Delilah are voiced. Firewatch is a great game to play.

Firewatch is $19.99 on Steam

#10 Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

In Frog Detective, you are a frog who is a detective. In the game, you investigate an island that has been haunted by a mysterious ghost. You track down clues and interrogate suspects on the island. The game takes less than an hour to play, but it is a lot of fun.

There are also two more games in the series. In Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard, you investigate the destruction of the welcome celebration for an invisible wizard. In the third and final game, Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County, you, along with Lobster Cop, solve a mystery in the sheriff-less county.

Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island is $4.99 on Steam

#11 Jenny LeClue – Detectivu

Jenny LeClue- Detectivu is a mystery game where you play as Jenny when her mother is accused of murder. Then Jenny soon discovers the town of Arthurton is not what it seems, and unseen forces are trying to stop her from discovering the truth. The mystery in Jenny LeClue is quite interesting, and the puzzles were fun. There is also voice acting in the game, but the ending is a cliffhanger. There is supposed to be a second game at some point, but considering Jenny LeClue – Detectivu released in 2019, I have no idea when the sequel will be released.

Jenny LeClue – Detectivu is $19.99 on Steam

#12 Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You

In Orwell, you are hired by a new governmental security agency to investigate the digital activity of citizens and find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. You will use information from the internet, personal communications, and private files, but the information you supply has consequences. Orwell is a great game, and it is interesting to see how the choices you make alter the story.

There is also the sequel Orwell: Ignorance is Strength, where you are inducted into “The Office”, the top-secret department of Orwell, and you will investigate citizens during a time of civil unrest.

Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You is $9.99 on Steam

#13 Oxenfree

Oxenfree is a mystery game that follows a group of friends who open a ghostly rift. In the game, you play as Alex, who brings her stepbrother Jonas to an overnight island party, but things go horribly wrong. The mystery in Oxenfree is unique, and there are decisions to make during the game. Also, the game has voice acting, and Oxenfree is perfect if you are looking for a darker, supernatural mystery.

There is also the sequel, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, which is set five years after the events of Oxenfree. In the sequel, you play as Riley, who returns to her hometown of Camena to investigate mysterious radio signals. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can play both Oxenfree and Oxenfree II for free through Netflix Games.

Oxenfree is $9.99 on Steam

#14 The Painscreek Killings

In the Painscreek Killings, you play as Janet, a journalist exploring the abandoned town of Painscreek to investigate a cold case. Your main goal is to figure out who murdered Vivian Roberts. However, along the way, you uncover the town’s dark secrets. There is no task list or quests, so it is important to take your own notes as you explore the various locations in the town.

There is a journal that keeps track of the diaries and documents you find. You also have an in-game camera you can use to take pictures of clues. I did like the non-linear format of the game and following the clues as I found them. However, I did need outside hints a handful of times because I missed a drawer with a letter or a key to progress in the game. That said, The Painscreek Killings is a great game, and I enjoyed solving the mystery.

The Painscreek Killings is $19.99 on Steam

#15 The Roottrees are Dead

The Roottrees are Dead is set in 1998, after a private jet crashed, and on it were the Roottree sisters and their parents. You then have to determine who is a blood relative in the Roottree family so the wealth can be redistributed to the rest of the family. In the game, you scour the internet and uncover clues to complete the family tree. The Roottrees are Dead is also a bit different than the Nancy Drew game, but you get to put your detective skills to the test when browsing the computer and reading through webpages, articles, and book excerpts. When you finish the family tree, you can then play Rootreemania, which adds a new tree to fill out.

The Roottrees are Dead is $19.99 on Steam

#16 Tangle Tower

Tangle Tower is a point-and-click mystery game where you play as Detective Grimoire, who, with the help of his assistant Sally, is tasked with solving the murder of Freya Fellow. However, the lead suspect is a painting. In the game, you investigate Tangle Tower, interrogate suspects, find clues, and solve puzzles. Tangle Tower is a great game, and the next game in the series is mentioned below.

Tangle Tower is $19.99 on Steam

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Upcoming Mystery Games

Alex Hill: The Body at Clearwater Bay

Alex Hill: The Body at Clearwater Bay is the sequel to Alex Hill: Whispers at White Oak Inn. In the sequel, you play as detective Alex Hill, who is hired to investigate the body that mysteriously washed up on the shores of Clearwater Bay. The release date is to be announced.

Amelia Darnell: Secrets of Silvercrest Village

The game is set in Silvercrest Village when the high school principal is found dead in her office. There is also a local legend of a Yeti wreaking havoc. In the game, you play as Amelia Darnell to uncover the town’s secrets. There is no release date yet, but the game will be free to play.

The Detective’s Apprentice

In the game, you play as Cleo, who becomes an apprentice to her Aunt Maya, a world-renowned detective. You will use your deduction skills to solve a variety of cases. The release date is to be announced, and there is a demo available to play.

How Was Your Day?

How Was Your Day? is set in the 1980s, and you play as 13-year-old Diya, whose dog Beans goes missing, and she finds herself trapped in a mysterious time loop. The release date is to be announced, and you can play the demo now.

The Mermaid Mask

The Mermaid Mask is the next game after Tangle Tower. In The Mermaid Mask, the captain of the world’s strangest submarine, Magnus Mortuga, has been killed. It is up to Detective Grimoire and his assistant, Sally, to figure out the truth. The release date is likely to be in 2026.

Obsidian Moon

In Obsidian Moon, you play as homicide detective Sam Carter, who is tasked with solving a series of interconnected murders. You will inspect clues, interrogate witnesses, analyze evidence in a forensics lab, and uncover dark secrets.

Vivian Wade: Danger Down the Aisle

In the point-and-click mystery game, you play as Vivian Wade, a college student who has a knack for sleuthing. The night before a wedding, the altar burns down, and the wedding planner is injured. You are hired as a replacement wedding planner to go undercover and figure out the truth of what is going on. You can play the demo now.

Ward: The Bird Knew Everything

Ward: The Bird Knew Everything is a point-and-click game where you uncover the mystery of an eerie house and solve puzzles. The demo is available to play now, and the release date is to be announced.

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Do you like mystery games? Would you play any of these games?