Can you unlock the ancient chest, find the Balthazar Stone and break the ancient curse?

Table of Contents

Location: Home

Date Played: Nov 2023

Team size: 5; recommended 1-6 players

Duration: 1-2 hours

Price: ~£50.00 on their website

Premise

Embark on an adventure with Elsa Winslow to Sharktooth Island in "The Balthazar Stone" by The Mystery Agency. To unravel the mystery, you must unlock an ancient treasure chest, find Balthazar's Stone, and break the curse that haunts it. 

The wooden chest, padlocked and brimming with clues, sets the stage for a challenging quest requiring deduction and logic to crack combination locks and unearth the truth about the stone.

Components

Building upon the quality seen in The Mystery Agency's previous game, "The Vanishing Gambler," "The Balthazar Stone" takes it to the next level. The props, especially the eye-catching chest, are stunning. The compartmentalized design adds to the immersion, and even the locks align with the theme, showcasing an olden and rustic style.

A minor critique lies in the authenticity of the documents within the chest. The printed burnt marks and artificial-looking cuts slightly diminish the immersion.

Gameplay

The game unfolds in three sections, each demanding a three-digit code to navigate the locks. Various puzzles, presented through props or online platforms, challenge players to acquire the digits for each code.

The main website serves as the hub for the final puzzle, offering the first clue and a hint system. Similar to the previous game, "The Vanishing Gambler," the hint system provides multiple hints for each puzzle, offering solutions and guidance if needed. The game leans toward the easier side, making our team bypass the hint system.

Puzzles/Thoughts


➕ Fantastic components. The high-quality components, especially the chest, elevate the game's aesthetic and overall experience.

➕ Great integration of puzzles with the internet. The seamless blend of physical props and online puzzles enhances the thematic coherence of the game.

➕ Engaging story. Exploring relics of the past while uncovering the secrets behind the Balthazar Stone adds a wonderful and intriguing layer to the experience.

➖ Puzzles are decent but lacks some creativity. While fitting with the narrative, some puzzles are commonly seen in many escape room and puzzle games, making the experience slightly easier. More creative puzzles could have enriched the gameplay.

Verdict

Despite its higher price point, "The Balthazar Stone" is a unique and highly recommended experience. The gorgeous chest alone is a showstopper, and the puzzles seamlessly intertwine with the narrative, delivering an enjoyable adventure for all.

Rating: 5/5

★★★★★

Ready to unlock the mysteries of Sharktooth Island? You can purchase the game here