Ravensburger (Manufactured by ThinkFun) - "The Laboratory"

Photo above is property of Ravensburger & (Manufactured by ThinkFun)

Company: Ravensburger (Manufactured by ThinkFun)

Game: The Laboratory

Country: Germany 🇩🇪

Language: English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian

Type of Game: Puzzles By Mail 📬

Genre: Science

Date Played: October 28, 2021

Difficulty (based on 2 players): 4/10

Size of Team: Unlimited (Recommended 1-4 Players)

Time: Unlimited (Suggested 2-3 hours)

Price: $22.83

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After a long shift at the lab, you final begin cleaning up your workstation. This vaccine your team is working on is so close to being finished and you will save millions. Unfortunately, long sleepless nights working have finally caught up to you when you accidentally pierce yourself with said horrible disease while cleaning up in a daze. You must work quickly and finish the vaccine before you succumb to the illness!

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"The Laboratory" consist of one illustrated puzzle, made up of 368 pieces, an

introduction booklet (each page is a different language) with a QR code for the hint site, and a sealed envelope with the final answer. The unique element to these escape puzzle games is that the image on the box changes slightly as you assemble the puzzle so make sure to pay attention to those smaller details!

Photos above are properties of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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“The Laboratory” takes the peaceful element of a traditional jigsaw puzzle and mixes it with light escape room puzzle design. You read the introductory page before taking out the puzzle and begin assembly. Keep in mind some parts of the puzzle will be altered from the original image on the box to aid puzzling. After assembly, each of these new additions act as a puzzle to solve; in the case of this puzzle there were six puzzles.

Each other puzzles will produce a three number combination and once you have the

number you can locate the puzzle piece you need by scanning the edge pieces where

some contain numbers. Once you have collected the six numbered edge pieces you

need you will have another mini puzzle to assembly which will conclude the game.

Open the final envelope to receive the epilogue and final solution.

Photos above are properties of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Nothing beats a good jigsaw puzzle, and I loved the peace that comes with sifting and sorting all the pieces. The intricate image meant there was a good variety in the challenge of assembly. The puzzles themselves consist of ciphers, spatial awareness, and pattern identification. They require no additional research. There was a neatness to some of the puzzle design that made me appreciate them as they weren’t in your face with mechanics but still provided good signage around the puzzle that made you really look. I also enjoyed how the solution of your puzzles creates its own mini puzzle resolution that finishes the story.

There was one puzzle where I felt it needed a bit more signage as I still don’t quite get it, which I think has to do with it requiring me to mentally adjust pieces in my head. I recommend if spatial awareness is not your strong suit, I recommend bringing a friend to play to help you along.

Photos above are properties of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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“The Laboratory” provides the perfect combination of light puzzling and good old fashion jigsaw puzzling. It is like a nice cool drink on a long day after work. This kind of game is perfect to introduce friends and family to light puzzling while using a traditional medium everyone knows and love and adding a little ‘oomph’ to it. The puzzles aren’t too difficult, but add the right amount of variety to the experience to keep you know your toes. Now, are you ready to bust out your white coat and figure out this cure?

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(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 Ravensburger (Manufactured by ThinkFun) for providing us with sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.

#JillianRaymond #AtHomeGames #Puzzlebymail #OneOffs #Adventure #ThinkFun #Ravensburger #Germany #JigsawPuzzle #TableTopGames