A High-Quality Detective Experience with Immersive Storytelling
Table of Contents
Location: Home
Date Played: Aug 2023
Team size: 2; we recommend 1-4
Duration: 4 hours; 2 - 6 hours
Price: €44.65; €55.85 for the deluxe edition (we opted for deluxe, second-hand)
Story
You are tasked to investigate a murder from 1883, Circus Maester in Dalfsen, the Netherlands. Right in the middle of the ringmaster's opening speech, Nicolaas Maester collapses in front of the audience. The ringmaster of Circus Maester appears to have been murdered.
It doesn’t take long for somebody to be arrested and for the case to be closed...
The storytelling in this game is nothing short of exceptional. It captivated our attention, weaving together a compelling narrative using diverse clues and evidence from various sources. The unique circus theme added an enticing layer to our initial interest.
Our sole minor critique relates to the initial inundation of witness statements, which can be somewhat daunting. We recommend occasional breaks between reading sessions, perhaps by exploring other documents or enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.
Components
Studio Stamps deserves accolades for crafting components of unparalleled quality. Their attention to detail sets a new benchmark in escape room and detective games. The components exude a level of authenticity rarely seen elsewhere, with documents that look and feel authentically dated, even to the point of appearing worn and soiled.
Gameplay
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| Objectives given at the start of the game |
The game kicks off with four key questions: determining the perpetrator, their motive, and the murder weapon.
It advises players to begin by perusing witness statements and a newspaper article to gain an initial grasp of the murder. Subsequently, you have free rein to explore the myriad items within the game box, piecing together clues to unravel the mystery.
The game incorporates a companion website for inputting your findings and a hint system to assist with various items if you encounter difficulties. Some documents feature cursive handwriting, which might pose readability challenges. Fortunately, the hint system provides a "text-only" transcription for each item to enhance legibility.
Puzzles/Thoughts
➕ The storytelling is exceptionally engaging and immersive. We found ourselves thoroughly engrossed in reading through the various documents, driven to gain a comprehensive understanding of the murder.
➕ Deductions are skillfully integrated into the gameplay. It demands players to connect multiple pieces of evidence to reach conclusions, promoting critical thinking rather than relying on isolated clues.
➖ Cursive handwriting may pose readability issues. Thankfully, accessibility options are available. The hint system includes a "text-only" version of documents for easier reading.
➖ Puzzles, while enjoyable, occasionally feel like busywork. They required adherence to instructions rather than significant problem-solving. One notable exception was a puzzle that felt like a mini science experiment, adding a unique touch.
➖ Ciphers introduce another layer of busywork. Some ciphers took considerable time to decode, with our approach being to decipher the first few words independently before referring to hints and solutions for confirmation and the rest of the text.
➖ The overall difficulty level leans towards the medium range. We would have appreciated a slightly higher level of challenge, as many puzzles felt rather straightforward. However, the "Final Act" within the deluxe edition compensated for this with notably more complex puzzles, prompting more frequent use of the hint system.Verdict
In summary, we wholeheartedly enjoyed "On Circus Grounds" and eagerly anticipate future offerings from Studio Stamps. Every aspect of the game is meticulously planned and executed, with the only room for improvement being the elevation of puzzle difficulty. We highly recommend it to seasoned detective sleuths, although newcomers to the genre may find it quite challenging.
Rating: 5/5
★★★★★
You can buy their game here
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