NOTE: The Boss is currently on vacation and has decided to tap into the vault of old puzzle reviews that aren't on this website to share while she is away. Italicized comments are updates from the old reviews that were shared on Facebook. Also baby Titus is back in these photos!
Inspectors' Review
I can fit into this tent!
It's Titus size!
Gotta test with the paw, first though.
Safety is key!
This map means something important... I don't know what but first step in the process is admittance, right??
Newspaper makes me sleepy. It's just so comfy!
Now this is a tool kit I can sink my teeth into, literally!
Boss' Reviews:
For a little explanation, as I wrote these as little pocket reviews after writing a bigger one for the first game since, generally, my thoughts about the company and structure stay the same. In this frame of mind, these reviews are a lot smaller but highlight the most critical thoughts I had when playing that might help someone decide if they want to pursue playing further. If you have any specifics questions feel free to contact me or write a comment below!
For additional context if you came across this post first, Curious Correspondence is a Canadian monthly puzzle subscription that comes to you in a beautifully folded envelope. Each chapter has you locating a special stone piece that have spread across the world and you, the player, have been tested and tasked with finding them.
Chapter Two:
The second episode of Curious Correspondence was a faithful sequel to its successor. It continues the theme as you embark on your journey to find the next stone, hidden somewhere in the wharf you arrive at.
Now I already wrote a detailed review about their previous game’s structure and customer service (see previous review on website) so right now I would just like to focus on the facts when deciding if this game is meant for you. First, these puzzles are not easy. They are meant to challenge you and will take some time. I ended up using the hint system quite a bit. For me this isn’t an issue as long as I leave understanding how the game is solved. I also played alone which likely played a part. Second, the hint system is a good source to help players understand what they are doing. I was never left confused about solving a puzzle when using the hint system. Third, the paper quality is great (I love the little clipboard!) and I appreciated how all components of the game were reused or used in a thoughtful manner. Finally, these games are not narrative focused. They have an overarching theme for why you are solving, provide great introductions, and good conclusions but these games are focused on the puzzles. If you are looking for a strong narrative, these games are not it. If you enjoy an overarching puzzle theme with bits of narrative develop and ultimately a conclusion than you would enjoy this. I look forward to Chapter Three.
Chapter Three and Four:
These games were played one after another and thus the reviews were mixed together.
The inspectors are back with another review! This time we are here to provide a review of Chapters Three and Four of Curious Correspondence.
The theme continues from previous chapters with a little more plot develop surrounding this new tinker character. In chapter three you are seeking to win him over and in chapter four you are receiving help from him in your search for the shards. The narrative is still quite loose but it’s interesting to interact with a new character – I hope the coming episodes play with this development more!
Now the puzzles…I will preface once again these puzzles are HARD! For me, I need very clear expectations in my puzzles or a very well-organized hint system that will guide me through. In chapter three, I quite enjoyed the manipulations of different components and how you really go to fiddle with the paper elements. Once I received a nudge I knew where I needed to go and could continue along quite happily. I will say these puzzles need to be completed in a certain order to make sense or be solvable.
Chapter four I struggled with a lot more because it definitely had much more of a tactical element to the game. You have to assemble various pieces and if you do it incorrectly it will throw off the whole puzzle. In addition, your solution to each puzzle falls into the next one – ie. Once you have the number locations you must use the numbers to assemble a ladder. This isn’t wholly clear as the solution kind of breaks the immersion for me – ie. How in the world did these numbers create the solution to assemble the ladder. As someone who requires more sign posting and narrative logic, it took me a bit to figure this out. The hint system was definitely my saving grace.
Overall, I really loved Chapter three. Chapter four was a bit harder for me to understand but I understand the puzzle solving so it may be more of my weakness as a puzzler. I paid for a year subscription so I’m in it for the long hall but I will say this is definitely not a game for leisure puzzling!
Check out the Curious Correspondence Club here.
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