An Unraveling of Riddles

Table of Contents

Location: Home

Date Played: June 2023

Team size: 1; we recommend 1-2

Duration: 5-8 hours

Price: ~S$22 on Amazon

Premise

A top secret excavation did not bring any result for 28 weeks. It was on the 29th week that something unexpected happened. The team disappeared and the only thing that was left behind was their Journal. You must solve the riddles in order to solve the mystery.

While mistakenly purchased as the first installment in the Journal 29 series, it's reassuring to discover that "Revelation" is self-contained and doesn't require familiarity with the prior book's content. The plot and puzzles within "Revelation" are mostly independent of the first book's narrative.

Gameplay

The book comprises over 57 riddles to solve. Each set of two pages consists of a riddle page and a key page. Once you've deciphered the riddle on the riddle page, you'll scan the QR code or visit the link provided on the key page to input your solution on their website.

If your answer is correct, you'll be directed to another page with a word or number associated with the key. These keys are essential for solving subsequent riddles, acting as gateways to ensure the puzzles are tackled sequentially. If your answer is incorrect, the page refreshes with a brief message indicating the error.

The book also offers a hint system through an online forum. Each thread corresponds to a specific key, allowing readers to share hints and solutions. However, this can sometimes result in unintentional spoilers, potentially diminishing the experience.

Many of the riddles presented in the book require lateral thinking and the ability to think outside the box, often involving references or outside knowledge.

Riddles/Thoughts

One of the early riddles, can you figure our the answer?
 

➕Several riddles are cleverly designed, encouraging players to "connect the dots" and rewarding their problem-solving skills.

➖The story, while providing context to the journal's origin, does not relate significantly to the riddles or the website. It remains a rather uninteresting backdrop.

✖️A significant portion of the riddles is frustrating. It has poor design and a lack of signposting. Even seasoned puzzle enthusiasts may find them nearly impossible to solve without resorting to the forum for help.

✖️Some riddles demand outside knowledge. This can be discouraging for players who prefer puzzles that rely solely on the information provided within the book.

Verdict

"Journal 29 Revelation" is recommended primarily for those who consider the hint system part of the puzzle-solving experience. For others, the book's poor design in some riddles may lead to frustrating moments.

Rating: 2/5

★★✩✩✩

You can buy the book here