The Medusa Report

Loaded with gorgeous materials, an intriguing premise and a variety of narratively linked puzzles, ‘The Medusa Report’ stands out amongst the best tabletop escape room games. Despite the fact we hadn’t played ‘The Vandermist Dossier’, the first in the trilogy, we were able to access, understand and explore the narrative and puzzles without any issues. There are bonus puzzles that link the two games together and you need both games in order to access those puzzles. That being said, the full standalone experience is stunning, from the surprises to the ‘a-ha’ moments. The ‘lo-fi’ design is refreshing as well—the entire game exists within the box, aside from the hints and conclusion, and it only adds to the yesteryear aesthetic and immersion.

We played The Medusa Report by Diorama Games (and supported by Sherlocked in Amsterdam) as a team of four, and it felt like the perfect group size for the experience. Right from the start, the high-quality materials and varied elements stood out. Everything in the box was thoughtfully designed, and the way the game unfolded felt intuitive and engaging. The puzzles were well-structured, allowing us to progress smoothly while fully immersing ourselves in the story. We needed just one clue towards the end, but otherwise, the game flowed seamlessly. It took us nearly three hours at a relaxed pace, making for an enjoyable and satisfying challenge. Highly recommended for all players—take your time and enjoy the experience to the fullest

➕Superb components. They feel deluxe as they should be. ➕ While I wasn't too keen on the story, my friends were very engaged with it and enjoyed it immensely. ➕ While easier than The Vandermist Dossier, I had a satisfying time solving the puzzles in this game. They were very well designed, thematic and creative. Some of the puzzles led to some mindblowing experiences in how the game was crafted. ➖A good number of puzzles were spatial puzzles. While they were still varied and interesting, it may put others off from the game. ➖Some busywork. The game requires you to decode coded messages every now and then, requiring you to spend a good 5 - 10 mins on that. Personally, I would visit the solution once I've figured out the approach to solving it. I really like The Medusa Report! Their puzzles are superb and gave me multiple doses of dopamine when we solved the puzzles. While the story didn't click with me, it'll definitely click with many others. This game is fantastic and a must play for escape room enthusiast.

another great game from Diorama. the puzzles had a very natural flow to it, with a handful of surprises and creative twists and turns along the way. i love the way they can make you realize something you had a passing thought about 30 minutes ago was the setup for a whole other puzzle later on. the whole game feels like an ‘aha’ moment in the best way.