Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor Hits Stores in Time for Halloween; Her Interactive Releases Scariest Title in Series.

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Nancy Drew game fans will be getting exactly what they asked for with today's release of Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor. Her Interactive is calling the latest title in the award-winning PC series the scariest game yet, answering customer pleas for a thriller of an adventure.

In Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor, players become Nancy Drew as she takes her first overseas trip to England to visit a newly married friend, Linda. The recent bride is living in her husband Hugh Penvellyn's ancestral home, Blackmoor Manor. But Linda is not feeling well and isn't seeing any visitors. Nancy finds this odd and embarks on a thrilling adventure as she tries to uncover the truth behind Linda's illness.

The estate and its residents are shrouded in a mystery entrenched in the 14th century. The Penvellyn family itself is filled with fascinating ancestors: Randulf the Red, named for his bright red hair, was considered a hero at the Battle of Poitiers and started the family in the 14th century; Lady Elinor was burned at the stake as a witch in the 17th century; Brigette, a 19th century astronomer who never married and adopted her sister's son Richard; and Alan, a 20th century computer scientist who was a noted researcher in computers and languages.

The younger additions to the Penvellyn clan also have a knack for heating up the family dynamics. Linda is already acting peculiar and there's a precocious young teenager named Jane who was raised in the U.S. and recently returned to Blackmoor Manor. While players investigate the charismatic and unusual relatives, there is also the constant banter from a chatty parrot named Loulou, who offers unlimited commentary for players about goings-on at the estate, past and present.

Characters in the family may fascinate some players, but Nancy's interest is also piqued by glimpses of assorted secret family rituals that have developed over the centuries. Nancy starts following her first clue as she catches a glimpse of several family members who are dressed in robes, chanting and pouring oil into a hole in the floor. It's an eerie scene and Nancy is determined to get to the bottom of its purpose.

Players will be able to roam through the manor in order to find and tie together clues. Remaining consistent to all Nancy Drew games and helping to ratchet up the spookiness factor, Curse of Blackmoor Manor is jammed with new puzzles based on heraldry, astronomy and alchemy.

The game has a junior and senior detective mode, allowing both new and more seasoned players to set an appropriate level of difficulty. Players also get in-game assistance. If players make a mistake, they can rely on the second chance feature that allows them to retrace their steps without having to start from the beginning.

Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor offers 20-plus hours of gameplay, is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and priced at $19.99 (MSRP).

About Nancy Drew

Nancy Drew debuted in 1930 and is still going strong in 2003. She is a smart, independent, gutsy and resourceful teen detective who can crack even the toughest case. Publishing in 22 languages and with more than 100 million copies in print worldwide, Nancy Drew has engaged readers and served as a role model globally for generations.

About Her Interactive

Her Interactive creates fun and challenging entertainment for mystery fans of all ages. The company designs, develops and publishes award-winning games that offer role-playing, mystery, and adventure. Her Interactive's Nancy Drew series offers exciting gameplay without violence or gender stereotypes. More information about the company and the Nancy Drew games can be found at www.herinteractive.com.