Shinobi: The Ninja Scroll (Escape Mail) // Review

Shinobi: The Ninja Scroll is an escape room style puzzle game from Canadian company Escape Mail. Unravel a mysterious scroll and work to uncover its hidden secrets by deciphering codes and manipulating objects. Can you pass the test and join the ranks of the Ninja Warriors?

Players: 1-4 // Age: 12+ // Playtime: 2-3 hours

What you need: A pen/pencil and paper. An internet-connected device.

Story

“A rebel faction of self-serving ninjas are spreading disunity, violence and chaos across the land. The honourable ways of Ninjutsu are quickly being forgotten. We are calling on the global community of True Warriors to help us. If you prove yourself to be worthy, then we welcome your help on this noble pursuit to restore peace across the land.”

First impressions

I’d played and enjoyed several chapters of the Family Secrets series from Escape Mail. So when Shinobi: The Ninja Scroll launched on Kickstarter in 2023 as their latest project, I immediately backed the campaign. The concept of a scroll-based game seemed really unique and I was keen to check out what the team had dreamt up next. Fast-forward to November 2024 and I have finally managed to carve out some time to sit down and play it.

The game is housed in a beautifully designed mailer tube (see above), adorned with an embossed title and tangled ropes. Inside the tube is a scroll, some paper components, a storage bag and a mysterious key. There is also an instruction sheet that gives a brief overview of the game, an inventory list and a link to access the online portal.

Whilst the game has been designed as a one-and-done experience, it is possible to regift it to someone else once you’ve finished it. None of the game components are destroyed and the only item you need to write on, a solution sheet, has multiple copies. The only thing I would say is that if you are anything like me, you may well struggle to part with the scroll! If you do want to keep it, but love the game, why not share the love and buy a copy as a gift?

Gameplay

Online Portal

To begin you’ll need to scan a QR code and fire up the online portal that guides you through the game. No login is required, which is great, and it will keep track of your progress as you play.

At the start, you are offered the choice of two difficulty levels: Standard and Expert. There isn’t a huge difference between them, but the Standard level shows a visual indication of where to start for each puzzle. More experienced puzzlers really won’t need this. You do have the option to switch between difficulty levels at any point in the game, so your initial decision isn’t set in stone for the duration. I opted for the expert level – obviously!

A timer activates when you start playing but fear not – the game doesn’t require you to finish within a certain amount of time, so you won’t fail if you take too long. It is a great addition if you are more competitive and wish to race against the clock. The portal also includes a copy of the game inventory list, audio controls to switch music and sound effects on and off, and a hints system. Tiered hints are available if you get stuck.

The audio-visual elements of the game are impressive as well. There are several well-produced videos with strong voice acting and rousing music to help build excitement. The wonderful soundtrack by Matt Cole does a stellar job of enhancing immersion and elevating the whole experience.

The Scroll

The tactile nature of the scroll sparks real joy. I’ve not seen this format used in a game before, so it was particularly thrilling to open it up for the first time. Most people don’t have dealings with scrolls on a day-to-day basis, so I appreciated the fact that I got to interact with something new. I also love Japanese culture so I felt immediately drawn towards this medium for a game.

I wanted to point out that I was a little apprehensive about how fragile the scroll might be, but it is made of sturdy material and is easy to manipulate without fear of ripping it. The overall quality is great, so I needn’t have worried.

In terms of the actual look – the Japanese-style artwork is exquisite with a slightly muted colour palette that lends it a certain authenticity. The puzzle elements are subtle enough to not detract from the overall aesthetic, allowing it to act as a piece of art in its own right. The fact that you can roll up bits of the scroll whilst you play to focus on a specific puzzle is really handy, but it can also be hung on a wall if you want to view the whole thing at all times. A friend has already commented on how ‘cool’ it looks and I definitely plan to hang it somewhere in my house.

Puzzles

On the quest to prove your worth as a True Warrior, you’ll be met with nine unique puzzles to solve. The scroll acts as a Shinobi Training Manual so each of these is based around key Ninja principles and skills. This allows for the challenges to be woven seamlessly into the theme. Once you’ve mastered them all you’ll gain access to a final meta puzzle.

The selection is varied and includes puzzles that require logic, codebreaking, object manipulation and keen observation skills. There is clear attention to detail when it comes to the clueing, which was really helpful. In a post-game debrief I found that although I’d picked up on a lot of it, there were whole other layers that I’d missed. It again illustrated the thought that had been put into every tiny aspect of the game – something that Escape Mail is known for.

The online portal includes clickable icons that match the symbols next to each puzzle on the scroll. To submit your answers, it’s as simple as clicking the relevant icon and verifying. Once mastered, each skill icon will light up to indicate that you have acquired it and you can progress to the next. There is a handy solution sheet that you need to complete with each of your verified answers, you will need this for the final puzzle.

Puzzle highlights for me included the ‘Shapeshifting ‘ and ‘Explosive Logic’ puzzles, but to be honest I enjoyed every single one of them. I found one of the later ones a little more challenging until I realised that I needed to apply some out-of-the-box thinking and it all clicked into place.

Hints & Difficulty

I played on Expert mode and I didn’t need to use the hints much at all. The Standard mode definitely makes the game more manageable for those who have fewer puzzle games under their belt, but it will still provide a decent level of challenge. For more experienced players, you are sure to have a good time but won’t find it too challenging overall.

Verdict

About Escape Mail

Disclaimer: This game was purchased with my own money as part of a Kickstarter campaign. As always, my thoughts are my own.