dV Games - "DECKSCAPE: Escape from Alcatraz"

Updated: Apr 30

Photo above is property of dV Games

Company: dV Games

Game: DECKSCAPE: Escape from Alcatraz

Country: Italy 🇮🇹

Language: English

Type of Game: Puzzles By Mail 📬

Genre: Mystery, Prison

Date Played: December 4, 2021

Difficulty (based on 2 players): 4/10

Size of Team: 1-6 ppl (Ages 12+)

Time: Unlimited (Suggested 60 Mins.)

Price: $14.99

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In the 1950s, you wake up in Alcatraz, having no memories of who you are or how you got there. Looks like you may have to try and break out of the prison to find some answers.

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Opening the box, you will find a deck of cards with instructions telling you how to proceed through them. You will also see what looks like a folded-up newsletter that you will be instructed about later.

Photos above are properties of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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If you have not played a Deckscape game before, these games are fairly straightforward, which makes for a game with little to no setup required. Starting at the top of the deck, you read the cards and follow the instructions. The first few cards will introduce you to the game and tell you how to proceed, either moving onto the next card or flipping the card over and reading the back. As you begin the game, the cards will then vary in what the instructions tell you to do. Sometimes it will give you instructions to follow such as split the deck into piles and sometimes you will have to actually solve a puzzle. Once you think you have solved the puzzle, flip the card over to check the answer. If you need a hint, there is a hint card that has a list of hints. The hints require a mirror to be able to read as they are printed backwards to avoid spoilers.

This game in particular was a fun one to play. Having played a few other Deckscape games, we enjoyed the story which we found entertaining with some twists throughout. Though sometimes there is some eye-rolling farfetched story concepts, the story still kept us enthralled.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Deckscape puzzles are a little different than other escape experiences. These puzzles will only allow you one chance to solve the puzzle. After reading the front of the card, you'll need to flip over to see if you've answered correctly or not. If the answer is incorrect, you will give yourself an "X". At the end of the game, seeing how long the game took and how many "X"s you have, you can determine your star rating.

Having played a few Deckscape games, this one had a nice escape room feel to it as there were some hunting around for information and referencing items to solve the puzzles. Some of the puzzles reminded me of those “outside the box” riddle books that you had as child that would trick you when you gave the answer. The answer is the most logical one out of multiple other options. There was one puzzle that did require some outside knowledge that if you have never done certain things before or have certain experience, you might not know the answer.

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We enjoy Deckscape games for their simple setup and the fact that it does not take up a lot of room to play. These ones are quick games that can be finished in a shorter time than most. The one answer set up does allow you to pace the game more to your liking, if you want to just flip the card over quicker to reveal the answer or look over it a little more to make sure the answer is correct.

Overall, this one in particular is a solid Deckscape game for beginners to start out on but also for veterans of escape games. Knowing the nuances that they put into their games, some Deckscape enthusiast could solve this game a little faster. We played with 2 people and would not recommend more than 4 people to play. There is only one deck of cards to look though and it could easily get crowded. We also did play this game when the power was out at our house which was perfect since no internet connection or outside source was needed to play. If you need a game to play while on an airplane trip or camping, this is one we would recommend.

P.S. Headlamp recommendation for emergency game night click HERE.