Co-operatives - Various Games
- Dave Bristol
- 1d
- 5 min read
LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Photo above is property of Co-Operatives
Photo above is property of Co-Operatives
📝 ETR DECODER
🎭 GAME(s): Sword in the Wall, The Big Dig, Elixir Mixer, Gnome Sweet Gnome, Codebreaker's Delight, Getaway Gamble
📅 DATE PLAYED: September 4, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Various
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 5.5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-4 ppl (Sword in the Wall, The Big Dig, Elixir Mixer, Gnome Sweet Gnome), 4-8 ppl (Codebreaker's Delight, Getaway Gamble)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 30 Mins. (each)
💰 PRICE: $20.00/ pp (adults), $10.00/ pp (children & students)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE SETUP
Co-Operatives has carved out a clever niche with their portable, split-information puzzle games. Each experience is a brisk 25 minutes, designed for pairs or small teams who stand on opposite sides of a wall and communicate their way to victory. The objective is always crystal clear, so you can dive straight into puzzling without long explanations. However, that doesn’t mean the puzzles themselves are necessarily obvious or easy, and there’s some nice exploration to be done within those confines. There are also pre-written hints available on a table and (for some games) additional tools or info you might need to play.
When we visited, six games were available, though they rotate others in over time. We were greeted by co-owner Caleb and GM Matt, who were both friendly, enthusiastic, and clearly passionate about creating experiences that balance teamwork and fun.
🎮 GAMES PLAYED
Here's a quick rundown of the (6) games we tried:
Sword in the Wall: A knightly challenge with an Excalibur theme. Unambiguous (even if we initially thought a few things were unclear), well-signposted, and teamwork-heavy (as with all their options), this was an excellent intro game.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
The Big Dig: Archaeology-themed with solid puzzle variety (and great design of similar-but-just-different-enough symbols). A few locks were a little worn )they’re working on replacing them) and one mechanism allowed for too much wiggle room, but still satisfying to solve.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
Elixir Mixer: Whimsical wizarding fun. It included a light, approachable logic puzzle with just the right splash of charm.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
Gnome Sweet Gnome: One of our favorites! We loved the whimsical theming, very tactile elements, and cleanly designed puzzles.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
Codebreaker’s Delight: Assemble a sandwich by solving puzzles?! Ok! Trickier, and a bit less thematic than their other games (but nicely absurdist). This is one of their two games for which they recommend a minimum of 4 players, but 2 enthusiasts would be fine. The visual puzzles stood out in this one!
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
Getaway Gamble: A heist game with very distinct vibes on each side of the wall - one had very pleasing visuals, while the other was a bit more gritty-heist-planning.and interactive teamwork. One very minor red herring, but overall very engaging and tactile, and the other game for which they say a minimum of 4. (Again, two enthusiasts would be ok, though there is one slightly awkward bit on one side with just one person.). One of our other favorites!
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
Wide range of themes. From knights and heists to gnomes and potions, the variety keeps things feeling fresh. Each game has its own playful flavor, which means there’s something appealing whether you prefer whimsy, adventure, or codebreaking. Though not for the horror lovers; everything here is family-friendly!
Teamwork and communication is at the core. These games are designed so you cannot succeed without listening and sharing information with your partner. We love spli information puzzles, so a whole slew of them was a joy. We love the challenge of figuring out how to pair info and describing what you see in a way that clicks for the other side.
Tactile, hands-on elements. Unlike purely paper-and-pencil experiences, many of the puzzles here involve manipulating physical objects. That added layer makes the solves more satisfying and scratches that escape room itch for players who like to do as much as they like to think.
Clear signposting for shared info. Symbols and structures are well thought out, so it’s usually pretty obvious which pieces of information belong together. This avoids the frustration of “well, I had no way of knowing that was relevant to you” and instead keeps the focus on how well you communicate.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
Lacking story. These games are puzzle-first, with light theming. While we don’t need a full developing narrative, just a little bit of backstory to give you motivation/context for the game would be great!
Difficulty range is fairly narrow. Although they have them rated across a wide range of difficulties, to us most games felt like they sat at a fairly similar level of challenge. A mix of easier intro games (particularly) and more advanced brain-burners could better serve groups of varying experience levels. Hints are provided to help more novice players though, however. (Not really tiered, though. There is one sheet of hints per puzzle).
Potential for noise and spoilers when busy. The games are adjacent, with curtains dividing each area. We were there on a fall weekday afternoon, and it was very quiet. (So no issues for us!) However, we imagine that during peak times, overhearing your neighbors could be distracting or give away solutions for a game you plan to play next.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
Co-Operatives is a great fit for anyone who loves puzzles, thrives on communication, and wants something short but memorable. While they don’t have the story or immersion of a traditional escape room, these light-hearted 25-minute games are all about focus, teamwork, and a fresh twist on the escape room formula. Perfect for families with older kids, date nights, team-building groups, or puzzle enthusiasts looking to test their synergy. It’s also exciting to see a portable model that can travel to conventions or workplaces! Definitely worth a visit to try out a new form of puzzle game!
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Co-Operatives is tucked on the outside of Quincy Market in Boston, right near Ben & Jerry’s. (You can also find them popping up at board game conventions like PAX East and GenCon.) Several parking lots and metro stops are nearby, and bathrooms can be found in the market area. The space itself has a small waiting area with bite-sized spatial puzzles to warm up your brain, a tiny shop with shirts and a few games, and each game space has tables where you can stash your belongings (no lockers or seating).
(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)
Disclosure: We thank Co-Operatives for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
