Thames & Kosmos - "Exit The Game: The Circus Mystery"
Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos
Company: Thames & Kosmos
Game: The Circus Mystery
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Language: English
Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬
Genre: Mystery
Date Played: September 26, 2026
Difficulty (based on 2 players): 5/10
Size of Team: 1-4 Players (Ages 12+)
Time: Approx. 1-2 Hrs.
Price: $14.99
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Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! The big top is in town, and every act is ready to perform. Something strange is following the circus though. High profile robberies continue to occur in every town it visits. Is it merely a coincidence, or is something more menacing hiding beneath the tent?
Video above is property of Thames & Kosmos
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Opening the box, we found some familiar Exit items like the answer wheel and the riddle, hint and solution cards. We also found some circus themed punchouts featuring characters and some circus trailers.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
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We began by going through the instructions, which did a great job of welcoming both beginners and veterans of the Exit games. If you are new to these games, you can read the whole instruction booklet but returning players only need to read the blue text for new concepts specific to this game.
If you are unfamiliar with how Exit games work, each puzzle is tied to a symbol such as a star, circle, moon, etc. Solving the puzzle will produce three numbers or colors. Using the solution wheel, align the symbol and the three numbers/colors to reveal a number in the middle, then draw the matching Solution card. A correct solution will tell you how to proceed.
This game in particular had a circus theme that flowed smoothly through both the story and puzzles. We liked the fact that the game provided a clear starting point. As we progressed, we opened different trailers, with each step clearly signposted. One thing that stood out for us was that there were plenty of hands-on puzzles and physical components, which made the cutting, writing, and destruction feel worthwhile.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
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The game offered a strong mix of puzzles including matching information up to classic searching and a few hands-on builds. Pay close attention to every detail, as earlier details may become important later and make sure to examine everything, including the insert and box, because any item could be part of a puzzle. Exit games are meant to be destroyed and this one was satisfying in its destruction. For us, the final puzzle stood out for its fun and rewarding construction aspect.
The hint system for the game is done through the hint cards. Each puzzle has three hints and a solution, where the first hint typically confirms the components you need and gets more detailed with the other two and then the solution. We found they were properly tiered for this game.
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The Circus Mystery was a well thought out game and after so many Exit games, this one still hits the right highs. It has a solid theme and varied puzzles that are accessible for beginners and still enjoyable for the enthusiasts. In true Exit style, there were some nice aha moments and hidden gems that were exciting to encounter. We played as a family with two tweens and two adults and found that everyone stayed engaged throughout. Two adults though could make a great date night out of this game.
Check out our interview with the creators to understand more on the development side of the game:
Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
(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 Thames & Kosmos 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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