A Feather in Dust Chapter Five by Boundless Library

Inspectors' Review:

Oh the fresh smell of aged paper in the air!

Cardboard is delicious as usual!

Boss Mom did not appreciate my tasting the paper...

I want that container....NOW!

Do these smelled burnt to you?

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Boss' Review:

I know, I know! I just did chapter four not long ago…but, to be honest, I actually played both chapters back to back with some friends this month. To provided context for those reading my Boundless Library reviews for the first time – A Feather in Dust is a monthly subscription from Boundless Library, a company that developed stories you can touch. Each month you get a range of physical components and online content that come together to develop immersive narrative experience with a dash of ARG (alternate reality game). A Feather in Dust is the company’s debut experience with more to follow after the conclusion of chapter 6.

I won’t give much in the wait of spoilers but I will say this chapter took a fascinating turn in the narrative. There are still plenty of questions left at the end but the building up has just been amazing. There were a few moments where I said “Oh, oh! Oh!” as it hit me what this piece of paper and it’s contents meant in the storyline. You learn about a different side of this Great Cicado Circus and find Alkonost faced with some big challenges to overcome. In addition all it is not what it seems with the Boundless Library as the Librarian struggles to bring together this incomplete story. I felt after the divergence in Chapter Four, Chapter Five was able to bring players back into the overarching narrative with a high degree of effectiveness. There were lots of paper materials in this chapter that was aged and organized to allow the story to really unfold. Essentially, this story has really been built up to this point and I am quite curious what the climax and denouement will be.

I touched in my last chapter about puzzles and I feel they same sentiment as before. There is a ARG style puzzle where you need to find out where Alkonost (and the author) go next through googling based off of small clues in the box are with the online content. I feel it needs more framing as the payout for making the attempt to find the location isn’t really there. You are just given the answer by the Librarian in the next chapter. I wish there was a way check to see if my answer was wrong without being given the answer immediately. Despite this flaw, I still love the experience for it’s storytelling but the puzzle element is not really there. It’s mainly a narrative experience.

Customer service is good. They are quick to respond and provide assistance. They also are receptive to change. I would recommend (like I did in the last chapter) that there be a dedicated group or forum run by Boundless to allow players to come together to discuss theories. I think this would really build up the ARG element that peaks out.

Overall, fabulous storytelling that is rich in development and detail. This is not a puzzle experience by any means but the ARG component could use some work. If you love stories that play with physical components and online content I think this is an amazing option. Now will the build up be worth it…we shall see next month in the final chapter!

Check out Boundless Library here.