Jen McPhilimy
Jul 31, 20223 min
Updated: Apr 29
Photo above is property of Code Candy Blue
Company: Code Candy Blue
Game: Murder Mystery House
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Language: English
Type of Game: Digital Escape Game 💻
Genre: Detective, Mystery
Date Played: June 12, 2022
Difficulty (based on 5 players): 7/10
Size of Team: 2-6 Players (Min. of 2 Players Required)
Time: Unlimited (Suggested time 2 -3 hours)
Price: $24.80/ Team (up to 6 logins)
You might have sussed it from the title, but there has been… a MURDER! (Cue: dun dun dun sound effect)! You and your team of investigators have been brought in to crack the case. There’s intrigue everywhere: a troubled family history, a collection of priceless artifacts, a household staff that’s chock full of sketchy suspects, and the inevitable suspicious death of a wealthy old man! With his last dying breath, Mr. Lionel J. Lyttlewhakker filmed his Last Will and Testament, alleging a traitorous thief is at work within his estate. It’s up to you to unravel the clues and get to the bottom of it all!
Photo above is property of Code Candy Blue
Each team member gets their own login code and can navigate the game on their own. The game progress is not synced across the players, so each person will need to enter all of the answers to follow along with the group. Our team worked together in a video meeting where we discussed the puzzles and shared answers.
Lab reports, suspect interviews, etc. are given at the start, and from there the game progresses through a series of ‘rooms’. In each, you are shown a set of artifacts and images—some informational and some interactive—that lead to an answer or code that will take you to the next area. The website makes it easy to open images or PDF's in new browser windows so you can cross reference (a large monitor is nice to have)!
The interface includes a Dossier where you can go back to view the backstory elements and things you’ve discovered along the way and will need later in the game. There is a hint button at the top where you can reveal a series of hints if you get stuck at any point.
Photo above is property of Code Candy Blue
The game features an assortment of puzzle types, including pattern matching, deduction, and spatial puzzles. Many require keen observation and one requires a bit of math. The puzzles are varied and enjoyable. We leverage the hints for one of the puzzles that relies on some nuanced clues to make deductions. Our team divided up the tasks whenever there were multiple items to process, which was a big time saver for us.
Like all great detectives, you must be able to give an accusatory summation at the conclusion of the case, so you’ll want to jot down your findings as you go!
Photo above is property of Code Candy Blue
The storyline isn’t the star of the show but provides tidy framing for a really solid set of puzzles. All the game elements are polished and well presented. There’s enough content to keep players engaged, and the puzzles hit that perfect spot of requiring thoughtfulness without overwhelming.
(If you do decide to try this experience, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)
Disclosure: We thank Code Candy Blue for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.