LockMe - "Side Quest: Nemesis"

Photo above is property of LockMe

Company: LockMe

Game: Side Quest: Nemesis

Country: Poland 🇵🇱

Language: English, Polish

Type of Game: Tabletop Game 📬

Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi

Date Played: June 1, 2024

Difficulty (based on 1 player): 5/10

Size of Team: 1-4 ppl

Time: Unlimited (Approx. 60-90 Mins.)

Price: 16,00 €

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As Captain Jessica Kowalski, you have been assigned a Recon and Receive mission by the corporation. A ship has drifted off into space, and its crew is no longer responding. Your goal is to check on the status of the crew, but more importantly, secure the cargo and send it to Earth by any means necessary. Upon arrival at the spacecraft, an eerie quiet greets you. Biohazard lights are flashing, hinting at something ominous on board. It's up to you to quickly retrieve the cargo and escape. Who knows what you might encounter on this haunted vessel?

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The game features stunning artwork that enhances the experience, with each image effectively conveying puzzle elements while being visually engaging. The illustrations are not just functional; they are a pleasure to look at and contribute significantly to the atmosphere. The sense of looming threat and the eerie solitude of being "alone" on the spaceship are masterfully reflected in the artwork, immersing players in the unsettling environment.

In terms of components, the game includes several physical puzzles where you need to move items back and forth, adding a tactile element to the experience. The most standout feature, however, is the use of the game box itself as part of the gameplay. This clever integration not only provides a wonderful centerpiece to the experience but also further immerses players into the world, enhancing the overall adventure.

Photo above is property of LockMe

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It’s time to explore the ship. By placing the cards out in a ship's design, you must navigate through different areas to bring life support systems back online. The more you explore, the more threatening the adventure becomes. Most locations will present you with a brain teaser via an event card that can change the ending depending on your accuracy. Once you solve all the riddles and puzzles to escape the spacecraft, you'll need to evaluate your actions to see which ending you receive.

Solving each puzzle is ingeniously designed to produce an answer sheet. In front of you, there are ten wooden planks and a large matrix filled with a variety of symbols. When you think you've found the correct code, you physically place the planks on the grid to complete the symbols. If the symbols on either side of the planks match and you arrive at a finishing number for a card, you have successfully completed the puzzle. This intuitive game system is quite refreshing, offering a unique design and ease of use that makes the experience enjoyable and engaging.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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In "Side Quest: Nemesis", players will encounter a blend of physical puzzles and logic riddles. As your group progresses through the game, you'll face a variety of challenges—some straightforward, while others require more brainpower and creative thinking than initially expected.

Each room in the space station contains clues for overarching puzzles that you'll need to solve eventually, and these are incredibly engaging. However, upon entering each room for the first time, you'll trigger an event card. Sometimes these cards present riddles, but more often, they introduce puzzles that may feel like you’re guessing due to insufficient information. These are the most challenging puzzles in the game, as they often involve significant logic leaps.

Once you've activated enough systems to bring life support online, your goal is to escape. However, the outcome depends on how well you explored the ship and handled the events. The puzzles throughout the game influence the ending, allowing you to evaluate your performance only after you’ve made your escape.

Photos above are property of LockMe

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"Side Quest: Nemesis" is an excellent puzzle game that serves as an engaging introduction to the popular board game series. Drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi horror themes reminiscent of Alien, it carves out a unique narrative with distinctive themes and creatures, providing a fresh and immersive experience. Fans of the sci-fi genre, particularly those who enjoy suspense and mystery, will find this game highly enjoyable and captivating.

The game offers a variety of puzzles, ranging from physical components to intricate logic-based riddles. This diversity ensures that there is something to cater to every player’s preference. The physical puzzles involve manipulating objects or exploring the environment creatively, adding a tactile dimension to the gameplay. However, some event card puzzles involve significant logic leaps, requiring more outside-the-box thinking. Despite this, the majority of the puzzles are well-designed and provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment when solved.

The artwork is another standout feature, with each card and component beautifully illustrated to convey both the puzzle design and the atmospheric setting. As players progress through the game, they will encounter various rooms within the spaceship, each offering clues for overarching puzzles that must be solved to escape. These overarching puzzles are some of the most enjoyable aspects, fostering teamwork and critical thinking. Overall, Side Quest: Nemesis excels in both its thematic presentation and puzzle variety, making it a must-play for puzzle enthusiasts and sci-fi fans alike.

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Disclosure: We thank LockMe for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.

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