Puzzling Pursuits - "The Takedown"

Photo above is property of Puzzling Pursuits

Company: Puzzling Pursuits

Game: The Takedown

Country: USA 🇺🇸

Language: English

Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬

Genre: Detective

Date Played: February 6, 2022

Difficulty (based on 2 players): 7/10

Size of Team: Unlimited (Ages 13+)

Time: Unlimited (Approx 2-4 hrs)

Price: $34.95 (FREE Standard Shipping in the US)

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The sequel to "La Famiglia", "The Takedown" follows the desperate search for Chicago’s

mafia boss, Vincent Milano. Unbeknownst the FBI, it appears the network built by this family is far greater than believed. In a stroke of good luck, an allegedly abandoned warehouse was discovered after a series of gunfire were heard from the location. Inside reveals a shootout, with many of the fallen from Milano’s gang! Even more curious… a hidden locked door rigged with explosives is in the warehouse. The FBI need you, once again, to examine the hidden clues and messages left behind to unearth the secrets of the crime family and take down the infamous Vincent Milano…better start cracking!

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"The Takedown", like the previous games, comes to you in a sleek black box. Inside the box is a “read me first” pamphlet and two large envelopes with a complimentary black and gold border, labelled part 1 and part 2. The pamphlet highlights the summary of the story, websites for hints, instructions to begin, inventory check, and tips for new comers while the two envelopes contain all the components of the game divided into two sections so you can easily break up the game time if you’re unable to commit to a longer evening of gaming.

Inside part I is two envelopes of different size and a series of papers, including a note from an agent, recipe book, supply store inventory, sieve solution sheet, large image of a distiller and more. Inside part 2 is two smaller envelopes (one indicating to not open until instructed), a series of loose magazine sheets, notes from an FBI agent, and a telegraph log.

Photos above are property of Puzzling Pursuits

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The format of these games enables groups to really embrace an escape room style. As

you open your part envelope there is a letter to the investigator to read in addition to notes left by an FBI agent who was on the ground when the evidence was collected.

After this point, the game is a non-linear fashion where you aim to solve the various puzzles and collect the answers that will come together to unlock the door. There is no particular order to solving other than you need to have solved all five puzzles first before you can complete the final meta puzzle. Depending on your group size, you can easily divide up the workload and give people puzzles they might have a better time with. In addition, you can check your answers on the Puzzling Pursuits’ website as you move solutions into the website, and you’ll be given the next story element and continue on.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Each part contains five non-linear puzzles with an addition meta puzzle done as a group to conclude the experience. The puzzles generally focus on logic, wordplay, ciphers, and math. I personally preferred the logic puzzles; there was a really good one in part 2 that gave my group a fun “aha” when we caught onto the hints across the game. I will note for the math puzzles, you do need to have some outside knowledge (ie. Your high school math will come in handy!) but generally it was more focused around tracking. I felt the puzzles worked well with the theme of the game and they really connected across each other. Even the ciphers used multistep processes that broke away from the traditional puzzling and we had to appreciate that. Puzzling Pursuits has definitely developed their own sense of style with their puzzles that is carrying throughout, and I love that when I start these games I know what I’m in for and still walk away with pride of cracking the code.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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I find The Takedown to be an excellent successor to Puzzling Pursuit’s "La Familia". The story has definitely developed in an intriguing mystery filled with twists and turns while the puzzling keeps up the challenge and you feel rewarded after you complete the game. I would say puzzle lovers will definitely enjoy the journey of this experience and the game is set up in a way where you cannot help but appreciate the attention to detail. I cannot wait to see what Puzzling Pursuits does next!

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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 Puzzling Pursuits 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 #SubscriptionGames #PuzzlingPursuits #Detective #Mystery #USA