I love mysteries, police procedural TV shows, and true crime documentaries and podcasts. Like a lot of people who love mysteries, what I really love is figuring it out ahead of the protagonists. Aren’t we all certain we could solve these mysteries? If we just had access to the information, a plucky team of fellow sleuths, a murder board with some colored string linking thoughts and suspects, and endless cups of coffee, we too could be solving murders. Right?
Given the popularity of mystery in a box games, I am clearly not alone in this feeling. Ciphergram puzzles have produced just such a contained mystery. This will be delivered to your door with everything you need to prevent a dangerous criminal from escaping from prison. They have given you all the information, and it’s up to you to piece it all together before the escape plan becomes reality. Yeah, I thought that might catch your interest. Go brew up some coffee and meet me by the murder board. Err – escape board?
Gameplay Overview:
The whole game arrives in a single cardboard envelope. A few introductory pieces of information are in there, and a letter requesting help, which presents the scenario for the game. Stop a prison escape (that’s not a spoiler; it’s right there in the title). There are three stages to the plan, so there are three stages to the game. Each is enclosed in its own cardboard envelope. Read the introductory information, then rip open that first envelope to dive in.
Each stage asks you to learn one aspect of the escape plan: when it will be, where the exit is located, and perhaps most significantly, how they will get past the walls. Each envelope contains the clues needed to figure out the answer to one of these questions. A short introductory briefing is in each envelope, briefly reminding what happened before and letting you know what information is needed this round.
Each envelope contains various pieces of evidence. Photos, drawings, letters, and postcards from outside contacts are some high-level examples. You work your way through the information, finding hidden information and sometimes completing literal puzzles (maybe a crossword, or maybe a maze). All these are then pulled together into the answer to the big question. When you think you have figured it out, scan a QR code to access the secure portal and enter your answer. If you are correct, it lets you know, gives you a little block of flavor text, and directs you to the next level.
The portal also contains some supplemental information, and you can get hints from the portal if needed.
Game Experience:
This was already a win for me when it arrived. The cardboard ‘evidence’ envelope was sealed in a brown paper mailing envelope with an address that did not include the name ‘Ciphergram Puzzles’ anywhere. I spent a good ten minutes trying to figure out what it could be. The fact that I had this sent to work made it even better. I work in a lab. We get a little twitchy about unknown materials. I doubt that Ciphergram ever thought their puzzle would be opened under a fume hood as a precaution. No matter, everyone at work found it hysterical, and it certainly set the stage for the game.
I want to disclose now that I purposely wrote this review prior to fully resolving the last level. I wanted to make certain I couldn’t slip and reveal anything about the endgame. Which I think says more than anything that I genuinely enjoyed this game. I want other people to enjoy it too. Without me giving away answers. It plays smoothly. The puzzles are varied; some are traditional codes, and some want you to find small details from a larger picture to fill in information missing elsewhere. The puzzles all feel fresh, not like you are doing what you did in the last envelope over and over. The puzzles were all just the right level of complexity.
Having the game broken into clear stages also means that it’s easy to break this game down into smallish chunks if you don’t have a lot of time. I wound up playing after work over the course of a week. Come home, solve some puzzles, check the portal, and then (if I am correct) I can open the next envelope or wait until tomorrow night. The portal is well designed and easy to access. The hints are clue-related and tiered, so if you just need a nudge on maybe where to start on the maze, it can do that. Or you can just press “Solve it for me” and get the answer if you are really struggling. Broken out like this means you aren’t accidentally seeing answers you didn’t want or need. The portal is used for at least one clue but otherwise is not intrusive to the game, mostly just being available as a resource until you really need it.
Final Thoughts:
I am always a little reticent about the one-and-done games, but this one hit every note for me. It was immersive, the puzzles were engaging, and the information was all self-contained in the game. I didn’t have to go searching out answers to something online and stumble on spoilers. Definite win.
Final Score: 4 Stars – Solid game. It’s a good puzzle that presents just enough guidance and assistance when necessary without making you feel reliant on the app.
Hits:
• Fun concept
• Self-contained clues and hints
• Suitable for solo or group
Misses:
• Degree of challenge will depend on player(s)
• No opportunity for a murder board
