Warnings at Waverly Academy is the twenty first game in the Nancy Drew adventure series. It is based on Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #158: The Curse of the Black Cat.
The game has been acclaimed by fans and critics, who praise its story and gameplay. The game was heavily promoted with a microsite, a video webseries, and even a Twitter soap opera.
Synopsis[]
Enroll in a school plagued by suspicions and lies!
You, as Nancy Drew are asked to go undercover as a transfer student named "Becca Sawyer" at the Waverly Academy for Girls, an exclusive boarding school in upstate New York. The valedictorian candidates have been receiving threatening notes signed by someone called the "Black Cat". As soon as a girl receives two threats, something bad happens to her. One girl had a severe allergic reaction and had to be rushed to the hospital. Another was locked inside a pitch-black closet all night. The parents of the victims are threatening to sue the school if the perpetrator isn't identified quickly. The headmistress is counting on Nancy to solve the mystery before the threats turn deadly. Is there a secret someone wants to protect or are the girls playing games to scare away the competition – permanently? Arriving during a break, Nancy manages to stay in the valedictorian hall where all the action is, and begins her investigation.
- Go undercover at an exclusive girls' academy
- Immerse yourself in the high school drama by text messages, cramming for projects and navigating social cliques
- Run the school snack bar and play air hockey in the student lounge
Characters[]
Corine Myers[]
Corine is Nancy's roommate. Painfully eager to fit in and somewhat awkward, she is not well-liked by the other girls; however, she considers herself the only true candidate for valedictorian.
Danielle Hayes[]
Corine's previous roommate, Danielle received two "Black Cat" notes in a row and was promptly locked in a closet, in the dark, overnight. Due to her claustrophobia, she was traumatized and left the school entirely.
Mel Corbalis[]
Similarly to Corine, Mel is not popular and has few, if any, friends. However, she's more respected than Corine since she's not at all embarrassed about her goth fashion sense and cello skills, and makes no effort to fit in.
Izzy Romero[]
Izzy is the "queen bee" of popularity at Waverly Academy. She's very confident about her chances to be valedictorian, and already has her future planned out. She's roommates with Leela.
Leela Yadav[]
Leela is Waverly's top athlete. Although she recently hurt her wrist and is unable to play, she refuses to believe that this was due to the "Black Cat". She used to be friends with Mel, but upon becoming more popular due to her sports skills, dropped the friendship. She's roommates with Izzy.
Rachel Hubbard[]
Rachel is the final valedictorian candidate, but recently failed an AP Chem test and is likely out of the running. She's stressed and forgetful due to her workload, but has apparently always acted strangely and consequently has no friends. According to Mel, even Corine isn't nice to her.
Phone Friends[]
Nancy uses a cell phone that can be accessed by an icon at the bottom of the screen.
Ned Nickerson[]
Ned is Nancy's boyfriend. He can give her advice if she's a Junior Detective.
Megan Vargas[]
Mel's previous roommate, Megan has food allergies that can cause life-threatening reactions. After receiving two "Black Cat" notes in a row, she ate something she was allergic to, went into shock, and was hospitalized. Her parents are considering suing Waverly Academy, but Megan just wants to go back to class. After Becca/Nancy gets her phone number from Mel, she can question Megan.
Bess Marvin[]
Technically, the player can call Bess, but the call always goes to an answering machine.
Trivia[]
- The PC Game label from 2007 at the top of every box was finally loopholed with this game, using the same bar Her Interactive puts on the boxes of the Dossier games.
Continuity[]
- A merit award named after Caitlin Malloy (nee O'Brien) is given to Megan Vargas. (The Haunting of Castle Malloy)
- When Nancy goes to the bathroom, sometimes she says "Coucou want fruit." (Ransom of the Seven Ships)
- Mel has a Creepy's Corner poster in her room. (Secret of the Old Clock)
- The NEO movie poster in Mel's room can be found in the lobby in The Final Scene.
- The Porky & Jess poster in Rachel's room is also in the basement in The Final Scene.
- The goth version of the Naughty Tina Doll in Mel's room is originally from the caboose of Hurley's Comet. (Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon)
- Hotchkiss' purple ski boots can be found in Mel's room. (Treasure in the Royal Tower)
Foreshadowing[]
- Nancy's computer login password are the coordinates to Japan. (Shadow at the Water's Edge)
Main/recurring character revelations[]
- Bess and George have mutual relatives who live in Wisconsin.
Allusions[]
- The pendulum puzzle at the end of the game is a reference to Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Pit and the Pendulum.
Goofs[]
- The map of the United States contains eleven states that did not exist in Rita Hallowell’s lifetime (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). This also leads to border inaccuracies, as North and South Dakota were not split until becoming states, and Oklahoma was two separate territories (Oklahoma and Indian Territory).
- If you look at Mel's bed through the open door from the hallway, there is a bedspread with a square pattern. But it disappears when you enter the room.
- Who screamed in the middle of the night and why is never followed up on.
- The Izzy/Leela/Jacob love triangle is abruptly dropped.
- Why Jacob Price framed Mel is never followed up on.
Microsite[]
The Warnings at Waverly Academy microsite shows a map of the school campus. It also has testimonials from graduates, information about teachers and the valedictorians, the history of the school, activities, and lets people apply to the school by taking a quiz and receive a Waverly Academy ID.
Gallery[]
