Countdown to Chaos is an escape game adventure from The Detective Society. Best known for their mysteries that span multiple episodes, this is a standalone experience that acts as the perfect introduction to their long-form games. It also happens to be a prequel to their latest boxed game, Murder on the Moon.
Players: 1-4 // Age: 10+ // Playtime: Around 60 minutes
What you need: A pencil, paper and scissors. An internet-connected device.
Story
“Lunovos Industries, a company at the forefront of space exploration, is ready to send their brand new rocket into outer space. BUT a secret plot to disrupt the launch has been revealed…
Can you find the spy and uncover the diabolical disruption they have planned before it’s too late?! Become a true detective in this thrilling standalone prequel to ‘Murder On The Moon‘, an immersive escape game adventure.”
First impressions
The Detective Society have released some incredible games over the last few years. The Disappearance of Claire Makova is still a firm favourite, along with Trouble in Folklore Falls. If you enjoy compelling mysteries that unravel over multiple episodes, unexpected twists and turns and a mix of physical components and online content, you’ll love what they offer.
Countdown to Chaos is their first foray into short-form games (excluding their Family Adventures box set, which is geared more at children). While their multi-episode storytelling is a big draw for me, I’ve been met with some reluctance when encouraging friends to buy their games, simply due to the premium price point. Most don’t want to commit to the whole season of a game that they haven’t been able to test drive first and I don’t blame them. I’m hoping that Countdown to Chaos is the solution, offering people the chance to “try before they buy” at a much more affordable price (under £12). For that, you get roughly an hour’s worth of gameplay that showcases what the society has to offer and by the end of it, can decide if you want to explore the rest of their experiences.
Gameplay
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to get started! Simply open the game envelope and begin by reading the letter from Mike Martinez (Head of training at Lunovos Industries). He sets the scene and outlines your overall objective and the specific task you need to complete first. He’s also provided you with a selection of photos, blueprints, documents and a cipher wheel to aid your investigation.
You’ll be interacting with Mike throughout the game via an online chat feature. This is accessed by scanning the QR code on his letter, which loads up the application (no download required). The chat allows you to submit answers, receive new tasks and request help if you need it. Throughout the game, you will gain access to various websites that contain key information required to solve puzzles and progress. The Detective Society really excels with its interactive content. The websites are well designed and feel ‘real’, and the chat function is a simple but effective gating system that drives the narrative forward. The fact that the hint system is also contained within the chat means you aren’t having to jump around too much.
Fans of The Detective Society will be happy to hear that it continues with its blend of compelling mysteries fused with humour. You’ll also enjoy a couple of easter eggs, although these aren’t really hidden. One made me chuckle and the other made me gasp (no spoilers).
The game is designed to be played once, but it is possible to pass it on once you’ve finished it. The only items you need to cut up are the sheets of paper with the cipher wheel parts.
Puzzles
Countdown to Chaos showcases a range of puzzle types that you’d expect to find in the bigger Detective Society experiences. These include ciphers, elimination tasks, manipulation of components and hacking into password-protected websites. Occasionally (well quite often) a seemingly easy puzzle will trip me up and that definitely happened here. A cipher had me scratching my head for a short while, but then the sweet ah-ha moment came and I cracked it. I had fun using the evidence to narrow down the suspects, was taken aback when the organisation behind the sabotage was revealed and left feeling hyped to play Murder on the Moon when the game came to its dramatic conclusion.
The puzzles were fun but not particularly taxing overall. As an entry-level outing for puzzlers aged 10+, it needed to be pitched at more of a beginner level than usual. Having not played a Detective Society game for quite some time, it was a fun refresher in the build-up to their latest big launch, Murder on the Moon.
Verdict
Countdown to Chaos
Summary
Countdown to Chaos showcases some of the best gameplay elements and mechanics of a Detective Society adventure. Its striking packaging is eye-catching and its low price point makes it super accessible. The puzzles are well-designed and varied, meaning you won’t stall as you race to solve the case. You’ll be pulled into the thrilling narrative and despite a good amount of gameplay, will be left wanting more…
The game functions perfectly as a standalone experience but also acts as a thrilling prequel to the Society’s latest release, Murder on the Moon. If you’ve been intrigued to dip your toes into what The Detective Society has to offer, this game gives you the perfect opportunity to try it out!
About The Detective Society
The Detective Society is a UK-based company offering multi-episode tabletop escape room/detective mysteries. Track down a missing person, unravel government conspiracies or investigate a Murder on the Moon. There is something for everyone!
If you want to take a peek behind the scenes, check out my interview with Dan Wiseman, co-founder of The Detective Society.
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