Monday, February 10, 2020

Escape Puzzle

Puzzle, Instructions and Sealed Envelope
I mentioned in my last post that I was starting a new jigsaw puzzle that was a little different.  It is called an Escape Puzzle but is similar to other puzzles called Mystery Puzzles.  There is a short story explaining that you have accidentally eaten poison mushrooms.  You find a witches kitchen which contains an antidote somewhere but you have to find it.

Instructions

The puzzle was more difficult than most for a couple of reasons.  The actual puzzle was not identical to the picture on the box.  It was close to the same but there were several changes.  In addition to that, the edge pieces were all basically the same shape making my usual practice of working the edges first not a good idea.  

In Progress
Once I had the puzzle together then I had to solve the other puzzle of finding the antidote.   

Completed Puzzle
The instruction sheet said there were eight mysteries hidden within the puzzle that had to be solved in order to find the solution.  It also listed a web page that would give clues to the eight areas of the puzzle.  The design of the puzzle was such that I could not be sure of what the eight areas were so I did check out the web page for those clues.  Here are two examples of the clues showing puzzles within the puzzle:

Numbers Puzzle
Symbols Puzzle










Most of the puzzles were number related involving figuring out sequences of various numbers, etc.  A couple of them involved working with symbols that were translated into numbers.  For example, copies of the symbols were hidden within the puzzle itself with an = sign and numbers.  At first it was a bit overwhelming, but once I caught on I was able to solve four of the eight puzzles.  Each of the eight puzzles answer was a number.  The next step was to find those numbers on edge pieces of the puzzle.  Okay, I had half of the eight puzzles solved but not the remaining four.  I finally gave up and opened the "secret envelope".  It was a bit of a let down because it only listed the eight numbers but did not tell how to get them.  It did confirm that the four I was able to solve were correct.  I next went around the edges of the puzzle and pulled out the eight corresponding number pieces.  I had trouble getting good pictures of the puzzle but if you click to enlarge the next picture you may be able to see some of the numbers on the edge pieces.

Numbers on Edge Pieces
Besides listing the eight numbers the solution also had a picture of the final solution.  The eight edge pieces I pulled fit together to form a tiny puzzle and the one center piece was a piece from the main puzzle showing a small plant - the antidote.  Unfortunately that piece did not even fit properly even though it was listed as the correct piece.

Final Solution
If you have stayed with me this long then you have done well.  I agree this was a little confusing and did not have enough directions.  Plus the fact that the final answer puzzle did not even fit properly.  I checked reviews on this puzzle online and found that most other people working this ran into the same problems.

Would I do another puzzle like this one?  No, not as it is now.  I did enjoy some of the basic concepts of this and the various puzzles involved but it needs to be cleaned up a lot and have some clear instructions.  I enjoy working a variety of puzzles whether jigsaw, number, symbol or whatever but I like basic instructions as to what I am supposed to do!

I hope everyone is having a good week and all the various weather problems out there this week are not causing too much trouble!






22 comments:

  1. How long did it take you to lay the puzzle, and how much longer before you solved half of the puzzles within the puzzle?
    I don't think this would be my kind of game, but I like the general idea - it just needs polishing a bit, as you say, and clearer instructions. That the final piece does not fit properly is indeed disappointing. I wonder whether the company are aware of it and do better next time.

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    1. I worked on putting together this puzzle on and off over a week although I could have done it in a couple of days if I spent more time on it. I approach puzzles in a relaxed way and like to do a little each day.

      Once I completed the puzzle I solved the new puzzles in a couple of hours. It was addictive and I wanted to stay with it. For the most part I did enjoy it but I do feel it has room for improvements. I love the concept of a puzzle within a puzzle. The puzzle itself is a quality puzzle and can certainly be done just as a puzzle without doing the secondary part of it.

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  2. I'd need a trip to the opticians after trying that.

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    1. I do understand that feeling as my eyes sure are not what they used to be. Overall, it was a fun puzzle.

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  3. I am so glad you gave this review...it sounds like something I would NOT enjoy at all...specially the part about the piece not fitting right and then not telling how they arrived at the other numbers.

    I generally love puzzles of all kinds, but not like this.

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    1. It could be worked just as a basic puzzle without doing the secondary part but it was a challenge. There are a lot of other types of mystery puzzles out there and I would try another sometime. But for now I will stick to basic puzzles!

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  4. I don't think I will be trying out a puzzle like that any time soon Bonnie! Far too complicated! I've not done a jigsaw puzzle for years though and might like to try a simple one again. :)

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    1. I understand your feelings Simone! I do enjoy basic jigsaw puzzles.

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  5. In the past I did jig saw puzzles regularly. I did them with my kids. Now old people like me should do them.

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    1. A good basic jigsaw puzzle might be fun for you and your wife to do together.

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  6. You lost me. Not the sort of puzzle for me Bonnie. x

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    1. I understand Rachel! I like a challenge but this one did have room for improvement. My next puzzle will be a basic one. Someday I may try a different mystery puzzle. x

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  7. Oh Bonnie, that is waaay over my head. I'll stick to just the basic old jigsaw puzzle. :) It looks pretty put together though. This crazy weather! It is raining again today and we have another chance of severe weather late today.

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    1. Hi Henny! Well, this was a challenging puzzle but I had fun with it. I normally prefer more traditional puzzles.

      I hope you don't have any severe storms. I know how you hate those. We have more snow coming tomorrow but around here weather changes quickly. Take care Henny!

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  8. My hat is off to you for sticking with this and getting it done in the time frame you mentioned to Librarian! I appreciate you explaining how the puzzle worked and the pros and cons of this particular one. This is the kind of thing my husband would enjoy . . . and that I would leave him to do, because math puzzles of any kind make my head feel like it will explode :D Now if it was a word puzzle, I'd be on board. I wonder if they make any of those?

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    1. Oh, now you've got me wondering - a word puzzle inside of a jigsaw puzzle! I would love that too. If it was available I would choose one with a word puzzle over math any day.

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  9. I wonder if it's not over. Perhaps you send the last piece off somewhere, or pry it open, or something!

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    1. Now you are thinking outside the box Joanne and that is great! You never know about these puzzles...

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  10. I think that might be a little much for me. Too stressful and frustrating even if it does sound interesting in concept. Kudos to you for finishing it! :)

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    1. It was fun but a little confusing too. Overall, I enjoyed it but I probably won't do another like this particular one. It can be used as just a puzzle too.

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  11. Reading this blogpost has made my head hurt! I need to go and have a lie down.

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    1. What? You don't like a challenge?! It was challenging but interesting too. I enjoy various types of puzzles but this one could have been presented a little better.

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