Exit: The Game – The Lord of the Rings: Shadows over Middle-earth

I recently dove into the world of *Exit: The Game – The Lord of the Rings: Shadows over Middle-earth* and had a surprisingly engaging time. This escape room in a box, rated as a difficulty level 2 out of 5, provided a good challenge for my partner and me. While we did have to tap into the hint cards a few times, it felt like the right amount of difficulty. Some of the puzzles felt familiar, thanks to our experience with other *Exit* games, but others were truly clever and kept us guessing. The story felt well-integrated and really brought the world of *The Lord of the Rings* to life. The game components, like the shards of Narsil and the little cardboard Ringwraiths, added a nice touch.

While I appreciated the unique puzzle design, some were frustratingly vague and required some illogical leaps, which is why I wouldn't give it a full five stars. We also felt that the game was a bit more challenging than other *Exit* games we've tried at the same difficulty level. It took us around three hours, but we weren't solely focused on the game the whole time.

Overall, it was a fun experience. The *Lord of the Rings* theme added a layer of nostalgia and excitement, and the puzzles, even the ones that were a bit tricky, were satisfying to solve. I wouldn't recommend this as a first *Exit* game, but if you're looking for a good challenge with a Middle-earth twist, this is a good option. It's definitely a fun and engaging way to spend an afternoon.