With the next edition of Breakout Unboxed about to launch, we thought we’d share with you a review of our first game, written by one of our Game Operators - Tom from Liverpool! 

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When I first opened our Unboxed game ‘Locked up in Lapland’, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Would it capture the excitement of a real life escape game? Would the puzzles be too hard? Would it definitely get me in the Christmas spirit?! I had many questions that I’m sure anyone who’s considering playing the game will have too, so here I will review the game and hopefully answer those questions along the way.

As we picked up the first envelope the instructions were immediately clear and weren’t overwhelming, the starting point was well signposted and the theme was well laid out. The objective; find Santa Claus, rescue him, and save Christmas, was apparent from the start and my flatmate and I read through the instructions carefully until it was time to begin. 

Each envelope has a clear order to be used in, and helpfully its contents are briefly listed on the front (so you’ll know straight away if you have all the right items to complete the puzzle). It works by following each step and using either the material provided or the web page that you’re sent to in order to play the game and solve the puzzles. Each puzzle was imaginative and different, with a wide range of skills needed to succeed. 

Of course, some puzzles were harder than others, and often they took a few goes to get right - which made it even more satisfying when we arrived at the correct answer and were able to progress. We never felt frustrated or clueless with what to do, and the online system was extremely easy to navigate. The best part is that there were many points where you could take a break and come back to it if you wanted to (although we were so invested in the game that we didn’t do this!). All in all, the game took us about 1 hour and 10 minutes, but I’ve heard that some people have taken between 50 and 90 minutes to finish it. It goes really fast though as you end up getting so into the puzzles and having such a good time with it!

Even though we played it as a group of two, there were no parts of it that specifically required more than one person at a time doing it, so even if you wanted to play it alone then you can, it will probably just take you a little bit longer to finish all the puzzles. As for the age range, I’d say that there are lots of puzzles for people of all ages, and enough fun and entertaining moments to interest children too! Some of the puzzles do have physical elements where you have to build something, and move other things around - so children especially might enjoy these aspects. 

All in all, the quality of the box and the contents were fantastic and the theme was very fun. Even though it’s no longer the Christmas season you can still play it at any time of the year. You can now purchase the second edition with a brand new exciting theme and even more puzzles! Head to www.breakoutunboxed.com to get yours today!