Penelope Pendrick and the Art of Deceit

As a Nancy Drew fan, I had an amazing time playing this game. But that's just part of the allure - the game is an excellent point-and-click that can easily stand on it's own. Most of all, I enjoyed the puzzles: there are an adequate amount of them dispersed throughout the game and they are perfectly brainteasing - not too easy, not impossible (tbh, I missed that in the latest ND games). It was especially satisfying to finish the game without looking into a walkthrough once - the amateur detective level at least allows you to do that no problem. I am very excited to see how this series develops!

I LOVE investigation games, this is my favorite genre of games and as such, I had to try Penelope Pendrick and the Art of Deceit. Multiple people draw comparisons to the Nancy Drew serie of games and as someone who did play some of the older Nancy Drew entries, they are absolutely right. The game feels like a love letter to the 90s point'n click investigation games keeping the older style navigation of frame by frame and items inventory that are reckonizable by every point n click affecionados. If it's about nostalgia and or you love Nancy Drew games, I fully recommend it. However, while some of the puzzles are clever and the story is engaging enough. The navigation is absolutely lackluster with some plans that can rotate, others that do not rotate, directions that are counter intuitives, going where you want to go is a puzzle in itself [spoiler](best exemple is to try to go behind the counter of a business to access a cash register at some point.)[/spoiler] The UI also feels counter-intuitive - items combination is more complex to do than any point n click games in which you would just drag and drop 2 items together to make another object. You have to ''observe'' an item, then press on the hand button and then drag and drop the item. At first, I did not even think that item combination was possible because the normal drag and dropping did not trigger a ''this doesn't work'' feedback. Another negative feedback is that progression is sometimes conditional to some details which are far fetched - for exemple, [spoiler] I advanced enough one of my 3 cases (in the bookstore) - one of them is blocked behind the fact that Penelope dislikes being in the presence the art gallery owner so she categorically refuses to enter until the guy leaves but it is never mentioned that he leaves the gallery while the gallery is open and if you go too late - the gallery is locked because it's out of the business hours. So the 2 states in which I tried to enter the gallery was ''I don't want to see this guy'' and ''locked''.[/spoiler] If you do not complete that part, you won't receive further direction to advance the case and will have a second day with absolutely nothing to do - even things that feel like that you should do them [spoiler] Ex.: Completing the puzzle in the bookstore or go to the dinner in which another case happens.[/spoiler] Additionally, and I think it's a bug, but Penelope is such a sleepy queen that she went to sleep at 8 PM to wake up at 6 AM. At 6:30 AM, Penelope who's, mind you, investigating disappearances commented something like ''I know it's early but I could really use some sleep.'' Girl, me too. While I am still invested in the game because I want to know more - the story is that interesting. But it is a very slow burn and I take a lot of breaks in-between, which not only a testament of my low interest but also feels counter intuitive in the hard mode because I'm taking notes, notes that I will most likely forget the next time I play. So all in all, I'm unfortunately resting on a negative review.

Longtime Nancy Drew enjoyer. I overall enjoyed this game. However, I got stuck A LOT in this game. A lot of the time the solution was something so far fetched and miniscule. Lots and lots of clicking and clicking until I hopefully find something to help me. I did have to use a guide to get through this game, otherwise I wouldn't have beat it. I played on easy mode too. I did enjoy the story, but certain sections blew my mind when I looked up the solution. I would have never intuited the answer on my own for so many sections. I usually play on beginner/easy mode with Nancy Drew and usually do not need a guide. Maybe incorporating a telephone tip system like Nancy Drew would be beneficial for stuck players? It's so disappointing having to use a guide. I will be checking out the next game in the series when that does come out. I really enjoyed the story and some of the puzzle were really fun.

I've been craving the classic Nancy Drew games for years, but as a Mac user I haven't been able to play them, which has been such a bummer. I saw someone recommend Penelope Pendrick because it captured that same cozy Nancy Drew feeling...and even better, it worked on Mac! They were absolutely right!! This game has all the charm of those classic mystery games. The music, puzzles, voice acting, graphics, and atmosphere are fantastic. It really scratches that nostalgic itch while still feeling like its own unique experience. I'm incredibly grateful that the developers made this playable on Mac. It's been such a fun experience, and I'll absolutely be playing any future games this team creates. Thank you for bringing this style of mystery game back!!!

Really been enjoying playing this one with my wife, it captures the essence of the Nancy Drew games that she grew up playing but also is it’s own thing. It’s been fun playing and helping her figure out puzzles together. Being able to play this on steam deck so we can dock it to the TV and use a wireless mouse and keyboard for it has also been super fun and appreciated Excited for what the developer does next because I’m sure from this point on whenever the next in the series comes out we’ll be buying day one.

Such an amazing game to play! I really enjoyed the story line and the puzzles. The puzzles were both difficult and solvable, so I never got stuck for long. Thank you so much for creating a game that captured a similar gaming style of the old Nancy Drew games. I can't wait to play more!

Very similar to HerInteractive's original Nancy Drew games and the Alex Hill game. A relaxing point and click puzzle game.

Before diving into its central mystery, Penelope Pendrick and the Art of Deceit establishes itself as a thoughtful detective adventure that values patience, observation, and careful reasoning over fast-paced action. Developed and published by Default Cube Games, the story introduces Penelope Pendrick, an aspiring mystery writer who unexpectedly finds herself investigating a series of disappearances in the seemingly peaceful town of Carlisle, Connecticut. What initially appears to be a straightforward missing persons case gradually transforms into an intricate investigation involving hidden motives, old secrets, and the lingering influence of a mysterious artist whose legacy continues to shape the present. The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, rewarding players who pay close attention to dialogue and environmental details. The game's strongest asset is its storytelling, which blends classic detective fiction with interactive decision-making. Every suspect has their own personality, motivations, and secrets, making interviews feel meaningful rather than repetitive. Conversations are more than simple exchanges of information, as players can choose different dialogue options that influence relationships and the direction of the investigation. Rather than presenting obvious solutions, the story encourages players to connect scattered clues and form their own conclusions. The mystery steadily grows more complex as additional evidence surfaces, maintaining suspense throughout the campaign while keeping the focus on believable human conflicts instead of relying on exaggerated twists. Exploration plays an equally important role in the experience. Presented through a traditional first-person point-and-click perspective, players investigate numerous locations throughout Carlisle, carefully searching every room for evidence. Objects can be inspected in detail using Penelope's magnifying glass, while inventory items often contain subtle hints that become important later in the investigation. Puzzle design remains closely connected to the story, requiring logical thinking instead of random experimentation. Whether deciphering clues, unlocking hidden mechanisms, or piecing together fragmented information, each challenge feels like a natural extension of detective work rather than an isolated gameplay obstacle. A standout feature is the game's dynamic scheduling system. Non-playable characters follow daily routines, meaning players must choose the right moments to visit locations or gather evidence without attracting unwanted attention. This adds a welcome layer of strategy, especially when sneaking into restricted areas while suspects are away. The inclusion of investigative notes, objective tracking, and even a functional landline telephone helps reinforce the feeling of managing a real investigation. Small touches such as calling contacts for information or ordering food contribute personality to the world while preventing the experience from becoming overly serious. Presentation effectively supports the game's atmosphere despite its modest production scale. The environments are detailed enough to encourage exploration, and each setting contributes to the mystery through carefully placed visual storytelling. Fully voiced dialogue gives the cast distinct personalities, helping conversations feel more immersive and emotionally engaging. Background music subtly shifts between quiet exploration and moments of tension, complementing the investigation without overwhelming it. Accessibility options, including subtitles and multiple difficulty settings, also make the experience approachable for both newcomers and longtime fans of point-and-click adventures. The deliberate pacing may not appeal to every player, particularly those looking for constant action or frequent hints. Progress often depends on revisiting locations, thoroughly examining evidence, and carefully considering previous discoveries before moving forward. Likewise, the node-based movement system reflects the genre's traditional roots and may feel somewhat old-fashioned compared to fully explorable modern adventure games. However, these design choices remain consistent with the game's emphasis on thoughtful investigation and methodical problem-solving. Overall, Penelope Pendrick and the Art of Deceit delivers an engaging detective adventure that successfully captures the satisfaction of solving a carefully constructed mystery. Its compelling narrative, memorable cast, intelligently designed puzzles, and emphasis on player deduction create an experience that feels rewarding from beginning to end. While it demands patience and close attention, those willing to immerse themselves in its investigation will discover a richly crafted mystery filled with intriguing characters, meaningful choices, and satisfying revelations. Fans of classic detective adventures and narrative-driven puzzle games should find plenty to appreciate in this confident debut from Default Cube Games. Rating: 9/10