The Escape Puzzler (Matt)

Today I am shining a spotlight on Katie Downing (@katie.n.downing) who has just launched her first ever murder mystery game on Kickstarter! “A deadly fire in 2016. A lethal habit in 2020. 2 sisters dead. Solve a cold case. Solve a fresh murder. Serve justice.” The concept looks really intriguing and I’m all for supporting emerging talent in the mystery/puzzle space. The physical game is currently US only but a digital version is available to download worldwide. Lots more information about the game and its creator can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/deathks

The first issue of Tenebrosa from @midnightparlorpuzzles has just arrived! It looks really interesting - can’t wait to get stuck in. // What is it? “We are proud to announce our new tri-annual offering, Tenebrosa, a journal of articles, mysteries, and, of course, puzzles. All three issues in Cycle 1 will feature 48 pages of bizarre testimonials, stories, articles, and inquiries regarding otherworldly and supernatural happenings…as well as many puzzles, both identified as such and deeply hidden. Additionally, we will explore a new discovery in the field of occult sciences, known only as ‘the Krauskoff Sigils,’ in the hopes that you can help us decipher the dark secrets behind this unusual—and deeply disturbing—find. Join us, won’t you?” Available here: https://www.midnightparlor.com/tenebrosa

New review! ‘The Vanishing Gambler’ is a premium play-at-home escape game experience from the mind of @henrylewis / @mysteryagencygame. Can you unlock the evidence, solve puzzles, hack into a police department website and ultimately discover the location of the missing gambler, Roy Marshall? The full review is available at EscapePuzzler.com (link in bio). Have you played any Mystery Agency games? Which is your favourite? Comment below ⬇️

First world problems - trying to work out what to do with my growing collection of enamel pins. These are the latest two from @morgans_escapes - they will definitely come in handy! Available here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/morgansescapes Any suggestions for enamel pins storage solutions?!?

New review! ‘Requiem for a Double’ is a murder mystery puzzle game from Croatia-based @peculiarpond. Take on the role of a private detective to investigate the murder of a well-known pop star. Scour the evidence, interrogate suspects and navigate the twists and turns of the case. Can you find the culprit? The full review is available to read at EscapePuzzle.com (link in bio).

Book of Cosmic Horrors from @talesoftheunsolved has just arrived! This was a puzzle book project I supported on #Kickstarter earlier in the year. It dropped through my letterbox this morning and took me by surprise. ❤️ “The Book of Cosmic Horrors is a 132 page physical book with 53 puzzles to solve. There are also 5 different endings you can unlock, depending on your choices! Will you dare to venture into the book and manage to solve them all?” It will take me a while to play through, but once I have I’ll let you know my thoughts 😎 Available to buy here: https://amzn.to/4gm9RL2

This week I’ve been playing ‘Novel Puzzles’ from @cleverlandpuzzle. The book includes drop quotes, word searches with a difference, logic puzzles and more. These are all themed around the topic of novels, referencing book titles and quotes from many of the greats. The hand drawn illustrations give it a distinctly personal touch, with the lack of colour being a bold but effective style choice. Clever puzzles will put your literary knowledge to the test in fun and creative ways. Gameplay is varied and rewarding, and will leave you wanting more. It was a lot of fun! After playing ‘Novel Puzzles’ I’ve come to the conclusion that: 1. I need to read more and/or brush up on my literary knowledge. I’m embarrassed by how little of the famous novelists I could recall for one of the puzzles. 2. Claire Mercer has a real skill for interesting puzzle design and I need to play more of her books. Two of the three puzzle books currently available feature puzzles reliant on knowledge of Ohio, however, I am hoping that the range will expand to include some less esoteric content. Available to order here: https://cleverlandpuzzle.com (Currently US only) As a little homage to the book, I have included some of my favourite novels in these photos! What are some of your favourite books of all time?

New review! ‘The Charm of Christmas Past’ is a festive play-at-home puzzle experience that mixes beautifully crafted physical components, tactile gameplay and a heartwarming narrative. UK-based escape room company @escapement_margate have assembled the perfect game to get you into the festive mood! The full review is available at EscapePuzzler.com (link in bio).

It’s been a long old wait but the Countdown to Chaos is finally over… Murder on the Moon has arrived! I’m so excited to see what @thedetectivesociety have been up to and know that I won’t be disappointed. The Murder on the Moon box feels pretty darn heavy as well! Now, I just need to find some time to play it… 🤪 I might do the unthinkable and wait until Christmas to crack it open. Has anyone else had their delivery yet? 🕵️‍♂️

A new Kickstarter campaign has just launched for Stonehenge’s Legacy, a puzzle box from @inscapebox. “Picture yourself unraveling the cryptic puzzles of Stonehenge, where every clue and twist demands your sharpest intellect and deepest curiosity. Or step into the Circle of Legends, where a blend of ingenuity and resolve will guide you to uncover the hidden secrets of this ancient, mystical site.” Early bird pricing available for a limited time. For more details, check out the campaign now on Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/stonehengelegacy

New review! ‘The Tale of the Disappearing Beauty’ is the debut mystery game from UK-based company @sherlockinvestigations. Team up with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they take on a brand new case with unexpected twists and turns. Can you examine the evidence, eliminate suspects and solve the case before it’s too late? The review is available via the link in my bio or at EscapePuzzler.com.

Meet Your Maker - New interview! “It’s the turn of Bluefish Games founders Anna and Ace Ellett to step into the spotlight this week. As a huge fan of their games, it was a great honour to catch up with them both to discuss all things Bluefish. We touch on their escape room obsession, the origins of Hincksville and their experiences with crowdfunding. They also share some hints about future projects and talk about their favourite play-at-home games. Enjoy!” Special shout outs in the interview to the following creators: @dioramagames, @trappedpuzzlerooms, @postcurious, @daela, @spacecowboysus, @grandgamersguild and escape rooms: @thenemesisclub, @theimmersivemachine, @breakingpointescaperooms and @locurio.llc Link in bio or visit EscapePuzzler.com to read the interview. Have you played any Bluefish Games? Which is your favorite? Are you a resident of Hincksville? Comment below! ⬇️