A Worthy Sequel to the Famiglia Trilogy with Slight Repeats


Table of Contents

Location: Home

Date Played: July 2023

Team size: 1; we recommend 1-5

Duration: 2 - 4 hours

Price: ~S$47 on their website

Premise

The FBI is in pursuit of La Famiglia's leader, Vincent Milano. There's a break in the case when gunfire from a warehouse is reported. Upon arrival, law enforcement find several members of Milano's gang deceased from an intense shootout. The warehouse is filled with confusing evidence, and the FBI reaches out to you to help unravel these mysterious events.

In line with Game 1 - La Famiglia, the narrative in Part 2 remains minimal, with the bulk of your time spent tackling puzzles rather than delving into lore.

Components

Building on the foundation set in Game 1, the components in Part 2 continue to impress. While primarily paper-based (including newspapers, notes, and posters), Part 2 introduces a cipher wheel that adds a tangible, interactive element to the experience. A noteworthy detail: the components were free from damage, a welcome improvement.

Gameplay

Part 2 unfolds in a manner similar to its predecessor, with the box divided into two segments. Each section features 5 puzzles, coupled with an overarching puzzle that requires solutions from the initial quintet. You'll input the final puzzle's answer on their website. Notably, Part 2 includes an extra puzzle at the end, followed by an "Epilogue."

Puzzles/Thoughts

➕Components Maintain High Quality. Much like Game 1, Part 2's components uphold their impressive standards. With the exception of handwritten notes that appear typed rather than handwritten, the documents maintain a realistic feel.

➕Puzzles Level Up without Overdoing It. Part 2's puzzles offer a notable increase in difficulty compared to the first game, resulting in a more satisfying challenge without crossing the line into frustration.

✖️Puzzle Repeat. Unfortunately, one of the puzzles in Game 1 sees a recycled concept in Part 2. While the puzzles exhibit slight differences in approach, the resemblance diminishes the overall satisfaction.

Verdict

"The Takedown" successfully builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, offering a high-quality tabletop escape room experience. If you enjoyed the first game, you're likely to find Part 2 equally engaging.

Rating: 4/5

★★★★✩

You can buy their game here