Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin

I recently decided to try out the "Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin" after reading rave reviews about it. I've played a good deal of board games with my family - Catan, Ticket to Ride, Fluxx, and Pandemic are some of our favorites - but this was my first foray into the escape room game world.

Right out of the box, I was impressed by the quality of the components and the clear instructions. The game is designed to guide players through setup without revealing any spoilers, which is key to the experience. You get a set of cards, a decoder, some "strange" items, a book, and a rulebook. The instructions also suggest using pencils with erasers, scissors, and paper.

My wife and I found the puzzles to be extraordinarily challenging. We spent over two hours playing and only made it halfway through! We got the first riddle but needed a clue for the second, two clues for the third, and couldn't solve the fourth. It was tough, but still fun! We had those "aha" moments that were ultimately followed by a realization that we were wrong. Each clue revealed how close we were, which made us excited to move onto the next riddle, thinking it would be our turning point. Sadly, it never was.

I think our lack of success comes from our general aversion to puzzles like Sudoku, anagrams, and other logic-heavy games. We'll definitely be giving it another try, maybe with a third person to join in, and we're also buying the next game in the series for our 14-year-old son, who loves puzzles and challenges.

Ultimately, "Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin" isn't for everyone. It requires logic puzzles, creative problem-solving, and a high frustration tolerance. But for those who enjoy those things, it's a well-made, clever, and engaging experience for a great price. If you're considering an escape room game, this is a fantastic entry point. You can always move on to more expensive options later, or if it's not your thing, you're only out a small amount of money.