On Circus Grounds

➕ Components exhibit an astounding level of detail, greatly enhancing immersion and underscoring the designers' dedication to the game's creation. ➕ The storytelling is exceptionally engaging and immersive. We found ourselves thoroughly engrossed in reading through the various documents, driven to gain a comprehensive understanding of the murder. ➕ Deductions are skillfully integrated into the gameplay. It demands players to connect multiple pieces of evidence to reach conclusions, promoting critical thinking rather than relying on isolated clues. ➖ Cursive handwriting may pose readability issues. Thankfully, accessibility options are available. The hint system includes a "text-only" version of documents for easier reading. ➖ Puzzles, while enjoyable, occasionally feel like busywork. They required adherence to instructions rather than significant problem-solving. One notable exception was a puzzle that felt like a mini science experiment, adding a unique touch. ➖ Ciphers introduce another layer of busywork. Some ciphers took considerable time to decode, with our approach being to decipher the first few words independently before referring to hints and solutions for confirmation and the rest of the text. ➖ The overall difficulty level leans towards the medium range. We would have appreciated a slightly higher level of challenge, as many puzzles felt rather straightforward. However, the "Final Act" within the deluxe edition compensated for this with notably more complex puzzles, prompting more frequent use of the hint system. In summary, we wholeheartedly enjoyed "On Circus Grounds" and eagerly anticipate future offerings from Studio Stamps. Every aspect of the game is meticulously planned and executed, with the only room for improvement being the elevation of puzzle difficulty. We highly recommend it to seasoned detective sleuths, although newcomers to the genre may find it quite challenging.