Box One By Neil Patrick HarrisTheory11 OnlineEscape roomTabletopI wish I could un-know what I know so that I could play this game again for the first time. It was such a thrilling experience – to find out why you will really have to play it yourself! If you can bring yourself to part with the box, then it is perfectly possible to regift this game once you have finished it. In fact, I am sure you will want to so that others can experience it for themselves (and then you can talk about it with them). I can’t stress enough how much you will appreciate keeping this experience spoiler-free, so I’d suggest getting your hands on a copy sooner rather than later! Full review here: https://escapepuzzler.com/box-one-review/
The Morrison Game FactoryPostCuriousEscape roomTabletopThe Morrison Game Factory is a triumph. Brimming with nostalgia and bags of heart, the charming story is unexpectedly moving and ‘the feels’ linger long after the final credits. The puzzles are fun, varied and perfectly woven into the narrative. Achieving such high production value at an excellent retail price is a real credit to the team; there is no question that it is fantastic value for money. I’m excited to see what Lauren Bello dreams up next and can only hope that this isn’t her last PostCurious collaboration. I cannot recommend this game highly enough and I am labelling it a Must Play. Read my full review here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-morrison-game-factory-review/
The Curious Elevator of Mr. HincksBluefish GamesEscape roomTabletopThe Curious Elevator of Mr. Hincks is a joy to play. The clever mix of beautifully crafted physical game components and the quirky online Elevator creates a unique experience that offers bags of fun and charm. Past and current residents of Hincksville will find themselves right at home, while new residents will fall in love with the brilliant puzzles and inventive wordplay. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend checking out The Hincksville Gazette as well- you will not be disappointed! It’s available as either a subscription or a deluxe box set including all issues. Full review available here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-curious-elevator-of-mr-hincks-bluefish-games-review/
The Case of the Curiously Correct BlueprintsBluefish GamesEscape roomTabletopThe Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints is a refreshing shift in format for Bluefish Games. It retains all the wit, charm and wordplay you’ve come to expect from their games while adding a new dimension with the locked audio-book mechanic. Wonderful voice acting, multi-layered puzzles and a variety of well-designed book pages make for a fun and unique experience. It’s a fantastic addition to the Hincks collection, with plenty of room for more Ells and Ernie adventures in future. A little birdie tells me they will return for a new mystery soon; bring it on!
The Medieval MishapHistory Mysteries [prev. Mini Mysteries Club]Escape roomTabletopThe Medieval Mishap is a stellar addition to the History Mysteries catalogue, stepping up the challenge while providing a new slice of history to explore. The lovingly crafted game components will transport you back to medieval times in an instant and you won’t want to leave. A fresh and engaging shift in gameplay breathes new life into the series, which offers a compelling adventure with fun puzzles, hilarious characters and an interactive history lesson that has no chance of putting you to sleep. While The Medieval Mishap is set within the same universe, it is completely standalone and can be played with no prior knowledge of other History Mysteries games. If you haven’t played The Egyptian Enigma, I highly recommend checking it out. I cannot wait to see what is in store next for the agents at the Ministry of Time. Read my full review of the game here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-medieval-mishap-history-mysteries-review/
Shinobi: The Ninja ScrollEscape Mail [prev. Mobile Escape]Escape roomTabletopShinobi: The Ninja Scroll is a refreshingly original take on a puzzle game experience with its scroll-based gameplay. The intricate design, fun ninja-themed puzzles and Japanese-inspired artwork coalesce into a work of art. Paired with the simple but effective online portal, a wonderful score and engaging videos, there is so much to love about this game. Shinobi also solves one of the biggest problems I have with some boxed puzzle experiences by making the central component a beautiful keepsake that has a function beyond the game. It’s a family-friendly adventure that is perfect for date night, game night or a solo session and would make a very welcome gift for that puzzle game lover in your life. With 2-3 hours of gameplay, an affordable price point and the ability to pass it on to someone once you’ve completed it, it feels like a no-brainer. Full review here: https://escapepuzzler.com/shinobi-the-ninja-scroll-escape-mail-review/
The Shackleton SeriesEscape Mail [prev. Mobile Escape]Escape roomTabletopThe Shackleton Series: Episode 1 is a superb start to the six-part series, that left us eagerly awaiting the next episode. Its brilliant design, utilizing every inch of the envelope for gameplay, and compelling true story make for a fascinating experience that is fun and educational. Escape Mail’s focus on historical accuracy and their general passion for the project is felt throughout. The story elements are well-written and engaging, and the puzzles are perfectly themed and rewarding. We can’t wait to open up the next envelope and see where this adventure takes us next… Full review available here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-shackleton-series-episode-1-escape-mail-review/
The Vanishing GamblerThe Mystery AgencyEscape roomTabletopThe Vanishing Gambler is an intriguing mystery that can be played from the comfort of your home. It unravels through the use of quality physical items and authentic-looking websites. The variety of puzzles, gameplay mechanics and a slick web portal make gameplay a joy. Everything about the Mystery Agency‘s games screams premium quality, with attention to detail that is second to none. If you haven’t checked out any of their games yet, what are you waiting for? The Mystery Agency needs your service… Full review is available here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-vanishing-gambler-the-mystery-agency-review/
The Egyptian EnigmaHistory Mysteries [prev. Mini Mysteries Club]Escape roomTabletopThe Egyptian Enigma is an interactive adventure for all the family, delivering a fun and engaging escape game with educational content and a polished web interface. The audio-visual content paired with the physical components, makes it stimulating for children and adults alike. The price point is great for such a premium game which would make an impressive gift for a birthday, Christmas, or just a treat for yourself. It is a game for beginners, so if you would prefer more of a challenge then you may wish to opt for The Medieval Mishap which has a higher difficulty rating, but as a seasoned player I still found lots to love about The Egyptian Enigma. Although the stakes are high, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously – so there is plenty of humour to counterbalance the ominous ticking down of the timer. It is perfect for a family audience and I can’t wait to get our hands on The Medieval Mishap to play with my niece later this year. Exploring history has never been this much fun! Full review available here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-egyptian-enigma-review/
Puzzle MenuFunbi GamesEscape roomTabletopPuzzle Menu serves up a veritable feast of tasty puzzles to enjoy. This food-themed game takes the form of an actual menu. Your task? Discover the elusive secret menu item that can only be unlocked by solving a series of devious puzzles. As there is no clearly defined starting point, the first challenge is working out where to begin. The puzzles are broadly non-linear, so you can tackle most of them in any order. Each is themed around a 'special combo' menu item, including food items like pancakes, sausages or sugar cubes. These form the basis of six puzzles that solve to a single word. As you progress through the game, you'll collect your answers on the back page. These can then be used to solve a very fun meta puzzle, which left me with a grin on my face. It was very satisfying to solve! Puzzle Menu was the toughest of the set, with a difficulty rating of 4/5. It took me a while to finish it, but I was motivated to push through by the well-constructed puzzles and aha moments. Once I'd finished, I felt very smug! One of the aspects I loved about this game was the fact that it only requires a pen/pencil. There is zero internet or app use, which was refreshing and delightfully freeing.
