If you're stuck in the Royal Palladium, honestly, you're not alone. Most people playing the fifth Nancy Drew game find themselves wandering the lobby for the tenth time, wondering why Nicholas Falcone is still ranting about demolition or why Joseph Hughes won't give them the time of day. It’s a race against the clock. Maya Nguyen has been snatched, and you’ve only got three days before the wrecking ball swings.
Finding Nancy Drew the final scene hints can be tricky because the game is older, and some of the logic is... well, it’s very "2001 point-and-click." You can't just stumble through. You have to be precise.
The Secret Passageway Everyone Misses
Right at the start, you're in the men's dressing room. Brady Armstrong is there being "wholesomely smoldering," but he’s not going to help you. You need to get into the women's dressing room where the kidnapper called from.
Look at that picture of the laughing man over the sink. It's creepy, right? Click it. Behind it is a lever. That lever opens the wardrobe. If you don't push the clothes aside in the closet, you'll never find the tunnel.
Basically, the game expects you to be a bit of a snooper. Once you're in the secret passage, you'll come out in the women's dressing room. Say hi to Simone. She’s awful. But more importantly, once she kicks you out, you can start the real hunt.
Getting the Gears and the Box
The basement is where most players hit a wall. You need to get that crate out of the way to reach the trapdoor.
- Go to the back of the stage where all the ropes are.
- Find the top row, second rope from the right.
- Untie it and click it until you hear a "clunk." That’s the hook falling.
- Go back to the crate and attach the hook.
- Go back to the ropes, pull it five times, and tie it off.
Boom. Crate gone. Trapdoor open.
Inside the basement, you’ll find a safe. To open it, you have to turn all the symbols to spades. Here’s the shortcut: Click the heart twice, the diamond once, the club once, the heart three times, the diamond once, the crown three times, and the spade once.
Inside that safe is a tile puzzle box. You’re going to need two gears to open the secret drawer inside it. One is in the Jazz/Dance machine in the lobby (play the game and reach the dancers), and the other is stuck to a chair in the theater with gum.
Pro Tip: Use the baton you found in the dressing room closet to get the gear off the gummed chair. It’s gross, but necessary.
The Projector Room and the Blueprints
Joseph is the gatekeeper of the projection room, and he's kinda suspicious. To get the blueprints for the theater, you actually have to call County Administration. Their number is 555-3309.
Wait.
If you're playing the "Senior Detective" mode, you might find the blueprints aren't where you expect. You have to trigger certain conversations with Nicholas and Simone before Joseph will "find" them for you.
Solving the Amazing Monty Game
The card game in the basement feels like a scam because it basically is. You have to find the Ace of Spades. If you keep losing, don’t feel bad. It’s designed to be annoying. Just keep your eye on the card and use your "luck." Once you win, you get the magic ring. Do not lose this ring. You’ll need it for the literal climax of the game to avoid a Game Over.
Avoiding the "Softlock" in the Final Scene
One of the biggest frustrations with Nancy Drew the final scene hints is the endgame. If you haven't grabbed the key from the basement before the third day ends, you can actually get softlocked.
The key is inside that tile puzzle box in the safe. If the demolition starts and you haven't solved that box, you’re in trouble.
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The Control Panel Code
On Day 2, you’ll need to mess with the Houdini trick control panel. The keypad code is 121192.
But entering the code isn't enough. You have to:
- Press the bottom two buttons (Left and Right Fader Power).
- Slide the two faders on the left all the way down.
- Hit the Magnet button.
- Slide the faders up one notch.
- Hit the Trap Door button.
- Crucial step: Flip the switch on the far right to lock it all in.
If you don't flip that final switch, the trapdoor won't stay open when you head to the stage.
Easter Eggs for the Super Sleuths
If you want a break from the stress of Maya's kidnapping, head to a phone. Dial GOCATS (462287) or MCQUACK (6208225). These are shout-outs to the old Her Interactive message board users.
Also, if you dial the Library of Congress (1-202-555-5000) before the game tells you to, the phone turns into a jukebox. You can scroll through the game’s soundtrack. It’s a nice way to vibe while you’re stuck on a puzzle.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
- Check Every Poster: Many clues about Houdini's tricks are hidden in plain sight on the lobby walls.
- Talk to Everyone Twice: Characters like Nicholas often have new dialogue after you've found a specific item, even if they seem to have nothing new to say.
- Save Often: Especially before entering the basement on Day 3. The endgame sequence is timed, and one wrong move leads to a "Fatal Error."
- Use the Press Pass: Once Joseph gives you the press pass, make sure to show it to the police or you won't be able to progress certain plot points.
Solving the mystery of the Royal Palladium requires more than just logic; it requires a bit of patience with 20-year-old game mechanics. Keep your eyes peeled and your baton ready.