WBG Score: 7.5/10
Player Count: 1-8
You’ll like this if you like: Escape room experiences at home.
Published by: Puzzle Post
This is a SPOILER FREE free review copy. See our review policy here - Game available to buy from 4th April - pre order from 26th March 2025.
Puzzle Post creates a variety of items: Christmas crackers, small family games, dinner games, and one-shot escape room style puzzle games. These all fit in an A4 envelope, making them affordable, quick, and easy to send, and you can play them in about an hour. Nothing gets damaged or destroyed, so you can pass them on to friends if desired. They come in various themes and stories. Here, we have one set in an Arctic Glacial Research station, and something has gone wrong!. Carter who was leading the research has gone missing. And it is our job to find her! Rather brilliantly, the game includes two of each "thing," making it much more enjoyable to solve in a group. What a great idea! So, let's get this to the table and see how it plays.
How To Set Up The Disappearance
Open the envelope and read the story and brief instructions on the back. Remove all contents from the envelope. You'll need a phone or internet access, and a pen and paper if you wish to take notes, though it's not necessary but can be useful! There are nine puzzles in total that will form a passcode. Once you have the passcode, enter it into the vault (you'll receive a link to the online site during the game) to finish the game. If you're stuck, don't worry, hints are available.
Remove all items from inside; there are two of each, except for the opening letter. Distribute them among your group. Have one person read the opening letter. You're now ready to begin!
How To Play The Disappearance
The initial letter will guide you on how to begin and a URL to open to get you started. There will then be a series of nine puzzles. Each one will lead you to a two-digit number. Ultimately, you'll have an 18-digit passcode. Enter it to verify your accuracy and get the final result. That's about all I can reveal without giving away any surprises. Good luck!
Is It Fun? The Disappearance Escape Room Review
This game offers an intriguing narrative and a satisfying payoff that keeps players engaged from start to finish. The story woven within this escape room is not just a backdrop; it is a captivating tale that pulls you in right from the beginning. Everything feels rich in detail and context, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.
From the moment I started playing this game, I found myself deeply invested in the plot, eager to unravel the mysteries that lay ahead. The narrative is woven within the puzzles, but it is not so much of a story, although that comes at the end. Each puzzle you encounter though, is intricately linked to the storyline, enhancing the overall experience. I was not merely interested in solving challenges for the sake of gameplay; rather, I was driven by a genuine desire to uncover what would happen next and how each piece of the puzzle contributed to the larger narrative
As I navigated through the various challenges, I felt a growing connection to the story and the stakes involved. The thoughtful design of the puzzles ensured that every element served a purpose, adding layers of depth to both the gameplay and the story itself. Ultimately, the culmination of the experience brought a rewarding sense of closure, as the resolution of the narrative tied together all the threads introduced throughout the game and offered me an interesting and unexpected choice. This blend of an engaging story and the thrill of solving intricate puzzles created a memorable adventure that left me reflecting on the experience long after it ended. It was not just about completing the escape room; it was about experiencing a story that resonated with me personally.
Some clues are undeniably easy, providing a sense of instant gratification and satisfaction upon solving them. These simpler clues often serve as a warm-up, allowing participants to build confidence and momentum as they engage with the challenge. The first one sure is simple! Later ones though do ramp up, and the well structured clue mechanic was needed on a few occasions!
However, the majority of the clues present a more significant challenge, requiring deeper thought, creativity, and analytical skills. These more complex clues often involve intricate puzzles, layered meanings, or require participants to connect disparate pieces of information. They can include cryptic messages, lateral thinking problems, or even physical puzzles (with paper, not your body!) that demand a unique perspective to unravel.
The culmination of the game presents a pivotal moment where players must decide how to proceed based on the knowledge and insights they have gained throughout their journey and their own moral compass. The weight of this decision can create a sense of investment in the story, as players reflect on their experiences and the lessons learned along the way. The choice you make will lead to a different outcome, encouraging players to replay the game to explore different possibilities and perspectives. Or simply, press back on their browser and try the other one!
This entire experience can be enjoyed repeatedly. Some clues require drawing or folding the physical clue, but these are all repairable, and there are two copies of everything anyway. The process took me just under an hour, with the odd clue here and there. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys short, one-time puzzle games like this and has an interest in the environment.
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