Envelescape - "Thornbright Mansion: Chapter 2"

Photos above are property of Envelescape

Company: Envelescape

Game: Thornbright Mansion: Chapter 2

Country: Canada 🇨🇦

Language: English

Type of Game: Tabletop Games 🧩

Genre: Mystery

Date Played: September 4, 2023

Difficulty (based on 1 player): 4/10

Size of Team: 1-6 ppl

Time: Unlimited (Approx. 60-90 Mins.)

Price: $29.99 CAD

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Well your time in Thornbright Mansion continues to be…a strange adventure. The house is in disrepair and a missing portrait has drawn you into the story of this illustrious family that once lived here. It appears at the centre of the mystery are the children…but what happened? With no way out except going through the house you find yourself in a makeshift laboratory and you know something must have happened here that will shed light on what has been going on in this house. Maybe it’s time to create your own experiments…better get going!

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As with the previous game, Chapter Two arrives to you in an innocuous purple envelope, the company logo as sticker to seal its secrets. I did appreciate that there was an update to the sleeve from a matte paper one to a thicker shinier cardstock case sleeve. It brightened the opening movement and grabbed my attention. The content list is noted on the back of the sleeve but inside you will find a two page 3D model of a rather curious laboratory hidden in the manor. Accompanying it is a diary page, seven clue envelopes, and very tempting secrets hidden behind panels and paper. Inside the clue envelopes will be various messages, riddles, and decoders to help you on your journey.

Each time I have dive into these games I like the childlike adventure of peaking at the little hidden gems in the art and design of the room. They encourage you to get close and personal and sometimes even use a flashlight to inspect further. The vibrancy of the room and the detail of the art keep you enthralled start to finish.

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On the back of the pop up page there is a chapter introduction to give you a little refresh as well as a weblink for clues and submitting answers. You do not need Chapter 1 to complete this. Once you have navigated the website, set up the 3D model, and you are prompted to explore the room looking for icons that match ones displayed on the web page. When you have solved a puzzle you can submit the code onto the web page alongside clicking the puzzle it corresponds to and if the answer is correct a green check mark will appear. Clicking the checkmark will prompt you to open a clue envelope. You then follow the clues as they lead you until you solve the mystery.

This game is more linear as the clues scaffold into each other. While there is a lot to play with, I recommend focusing on the diary page to get started as you may end up trying to solve things that physically cannot be done until later. The majority of puzzles require you to have solved previous puzzles before you can fully solve them.

The webpage has clues available to prompt you if you become stuck.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Much like last time, I would say these puzzles continue to be light and easy for newcomers or young minds wanting to try their hand at puzzling. The challenges range from tracking, riddles, pattern recognition, decoding, logic, and more. These are the kind of puzzles that will just “click” as you stare intently at the room and do create for some good aha. I recommend players stick together when solving each puzzle because of the linearity of the puzzling. Some puzzles are a quick solve while others contain multiple steps so don’t be afraid to input answers and see what you get.

These games reward puzzlers with keen eyes so move the model around, change the lighting, fiddle with tabs, and do not be afraid to try something. No destruction is required in this game.

The story this chapter brings us drew me in as we got a little more information about the characters at hand. I loved the rewarding message we get at the end of solving as it has me excited for Chapter Three with more story to unravel. This takes us on a different journey than Chapter One and I appreciated the change up as this felt new and fun to dive into with the experiments and science theme. I look forward to the next room of exploration as this mansion doesn’t seem ready for us to leave…and honestly I don’t want to quite yet!

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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"Thornbright Mansion: Chapter 2” continues to take puzzles on an engaging and mysterious adventure that has you unravelling the secrets of a peculiar family. The detail, the lightness, and explorative feel make this something I definitely recommend to families and young puzzlers alike as it grabs you with detail and takes you on a ride with satisfying puzzling. Now…are you ready for the tour of a lifetime? Check out our review of Chapter 1 here!

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(If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from"ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)

Disclosure: We thank Envelescape for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.

#JillianRaymond #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #Envelescape #Mystery #Canada