The 15th installment of the Nancy Drew series features a trip for Nancy to the tropical climate of Hawaii. Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave begins as Nancy travels to Hawaii to be a research assistant for Dr. Quigley Kim, but soon she discovers from gossip and an outright warning that things on the island are not so peaceful and pristine. She is warned to stay away from the Hilihili research compound by locals who think the facility is evil and has ties to the legend of Kane 'Okala, a man sacrificed to a hungry volcano. 'Okala escaped the volcano, but the high temperatures and burning lava disfigured his image, making him an unsavory sight to behold. Along with the legend, Nancy is also on the lookout for her scientist friend Dr. Kim who has gone missing, and the cause of some invasive beetles that are damaging the islands ecology.
Players will guide Nancy along by foot or in an SUV complete with a global positioning system to solve an assortment of puzzles and gather clues that facilitate progress through the game. Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave also includes the option to switch between such characters as Nancy, Joe, or Frank Hardy depending on which skills and clues are needed to solve puzzles along the way. Such mini-games as making jewelry for Pua Mapu or fishing are positioned throughout the game for small breaks in the overall mystery. Players may adjust difficulty settings, call George or Bess for help and hints, and use the "Second Chance" feature to take risks without fear of having to start over.