Ministry of Lost Things: Lint ConditionPostCuriousEscape roomTabletopSO FLIPPING CUTE!! I've been a huge fan of every single Postcurious puzzletale, and MOLT is a particularly adorable and whimsical addition to their catalog. It's impressive how many ahas (and puns) they packed into a small package, with sky-high levels of meticulous design and enthralling illustration throughout. Highly recommend, especially as a more accessible (but no less satisfying) entry point to the Postcurious lineup. I eagerly await future MOLT cases!
Pandora's LegacyPostCuriousEscape roomTabletopThe new gold standard for a puzzle-packed jigsaw! This brilliant game accomplishes what all the other "escape room jigsaws" fail to — a premium jigsaw that progressively transforms into a range of unexpected physical props for varied, clever puzzling, all framed by a lovely narrative and a remarkably sleek web app. And on top of all that, the artwork, both in the jigsaw and online, is absolutely exquisite. 10/10, very highly recommend!
Nine Codes: The TycoonFunbi GamesEscape roomTabletopA delightful, clever, and highly accessible entry point to Funbi's wonderful world of puzzles. I'm really enjoying this "Nine Codes" format — lots of rapid dopamine hits, easily solvable in a single sitting — and I hope he continues to make more mini games in this style! I particularly enjoyed the illustration style in this one.
Lost in MineFunbi GamesEscape roomTabletopSoooo many layers to this one! It's incredibly impressive how much gameplay Funbi managed to pack into the humble zine format, supplemented by a robust web app (which was also a really great mini graphic novel of sorts!) Highly recommend!
Puzzle MenuFunbi GamesEscape roomTabletopPhenomenal puzzle fest, with some pretty tricky puzzles in the mix (but all very fair and well clued!) I enjoyed seeing how Funbi really pushed the difficulty in this one, and I hope to one day see a longer-form puzzle book from him extending this style. If you're in for a challenge, this one is worth checking out!
Nine Codes: The InitiationFunbi GamesEscape roomTabletopFunbi increasingly has a distinctive personal style, and I love it. Nine Codes: The Initiation presented a series of more bite-sized puzzles that are each cute, clever, and satisfying. Utilizing a range of puzzle mechanics, this game would provide a ton of fun for newbies and experienced solvers alike.
Humanity 2.0clueQuest - Print+Cut+EscapeEscape roomTabletopThis delightful print-and-play continues the same distinctive art style, cohesive storytelling, and whimsical video+digital content that solvers of the previous two episodes have come to know and love. While this episode had significantly less cutting than episode 2, I also felt it lacked some of the more impressive “wow” moments resulting from slightly more elaborate constructions that made the previous episode really shine. Nonetheless, Humanity 2.0 is brimming with diegetic tactile puzzles which make excellent use of the paper medium. As with the previous two episodes, this game vastly outpaces nearly every mass market escape-room-in-a-box in terms of both price and creativity.
The Crate Gotham Challenge: Holiday EditionGreat Gotham ChallengeEscape roomTabletopWith a dazzling array of puzzle types and presentations, this game included some truly memorable puzzle interactions. Layered solves were tightly integrated throughout a range of high-quality props and multisensory experiences. Individual puzzles were sufficiently compelling to demand our attention throughout the game, but the gameplay could have been elevated by a more continuous throughline or meta structure.
Prison of Memories Part I.clueQuest - Print+Cut+EscapeEscape roomTabletopclueQuest has majorly stepped up their puzzle design game in Prison of Memories Part 1, with puzzles that are even more satisfying to solve, more diverse in mechanic, and more difficult (in a very good way!) than in any of their previous Print + Cut + Escape games. Presented through clueQuest’s eclectic, distinctive artistic style, this game immerses you in a fantastical reverie as it extends the alluring world and narrative threads established through all their other games.
Mechanics of the HeartclueQuest - Print+Cut+EscapeEscape roomTabletopclueQuest never disappoints, and Mechanics of the Heart is a more beginner-friendly print-and-play adventure which is just as clever, creative, and polished as clueQuest’s more challenging offerings. The art style is alluring, the online interface was smooth and user friendly, and there was a good balance of aha and process puzzles. This is a perfect Valentine’s Day game for partners or friends, and it’ll be a fun hour-ish for both novice and more experienced puzzlers.
