Scarlet Envelope: Onboarding Challenge

Table of Contents

Location: Home

Date Played: June 2023

Team size: 2; we recommend 1-4

Duration: <1 hour

Price: ~S$25 + S$4 shipping on their website

Premise

A secret society has been watching you and you've been selected for a test. The first envelops contains the "onboarding challenge" given to you by the secret society that you have to solve to join them.

Components

Upon opening the envelope, you're greeted with an array of paper-based items, including letters, tickets, newspapers, and posters. The absence of an introductory letter leaves you to explore the clues and discern your objective independently.

Gameplay

The game comprises 7 puzzles, each contributing a letter to the solution. To progress, you input your answer by visiting https://www.scarletenvelope.ca/. Much of the game involves reading and deciphering the contents of various documents.

Puzzles/Thoughts

➕The puzzles were engaging and enjoyable to solve. It had well-thought-out designs that didn't rely on unfair or absurd logic.

➕High-quality components lent authenticity to the experience. The newspaper and coupon, for instance, felt like genuine artifacts, enhancing immersion.

➖The overall difficulty leaned toward the easier side. While this introductory game was relatively straightforward, other reviews indicate that the difficulty increases in subsequent Scarlet Envelope games.

✖️Ambiguity in one puzzle's answer created uncertainty. In one instance, the solution felt open to interpretation, which led to some confusion.

Verdict

Game 1 offers an enjoyable introduction to the Scarlet Envelope series. While it may be on the easier side, it's worth trying, especially when it's on sale. Anticipate increasing difficulty in their other games, making it an intriguing choice for those looking for more challenging puzzle experiences.

Rating: 4/5

★★★★✩

You can buy their game here