Inspectors' Review:
BOX!
STICK (Boss would like us to note it is actually a paintbrush...)!
Stick is tasty.
Paper is very nice.
House is perfect size for me.
Supervision for assembly of game was required and we did a fantastic job!
Some creepy things are going on with this dollhouse!
There was shredded paper in the box! We love shredded paper!
Excellent naps--I mean observation!--were had here!
Boss' Review:
The Case of The Haunted Dollhouse is a gothic horror narrative puzzle experience that centers around the acquisition of a miniature dollhouse that contains delved into the life of a woman who was committed to an asylum of the criminally insane. Lady Delaney, a unique character (also the name of the creator) who initially held the house in her keeping, has begun the investigation and sends you new instalments (chapters but more recently the game is now send all in one with the chapters divided) as she gathers more information. This experience contains the assembly of a mini dollhouse as well has newspapers, letters, telegrams, and more to help you unravel the story. After finishing The Case of the Haunted Dollhouse I am left with awe at how something so small can leave such impact.
The puzzles of this game range from word games, riddles, DIY challenges, and coded messages, which are all revealed through close observation of the artifacts in the box. Each puzzle unfolds a new motive in the narrative and thus provides you with a greater sense of the gravity of the situation you are witnessing. In a game like this, there is no large sign post telling you where to go but it is through following your intuition that you will find answers to the questions you develop in the story -- so there is a likelihood you may miss a puzzle at first glance (I know I did). You are piecing together a young woman’s life to understand what happened to her and neither she nor the other characters are passive in this experience – they are hiding things or trying to provide clues; they all have backgrounds that are complex and reveal to you why they are doing what they are doing. The puzzles and narrative are wrapped tightly together and as such you find yourself building a sequence of events using the narrative while answering questions you have through the puzzles.
The atmosphere of this game is what makes it so wonderful. The use of the miniature house creates a somber experience as you reflect of how this woman recreated a key moment in her life and how this moment forever changed her. I enjoyed how I was able to open all chapters and experience them without feeling like I missed something because I didn't notice a puzzle in past chapters. I opened each in sequence and when I finished reading all the letters and documents, I was able to return to different chapters to focus on the puzzles I had left. I enjoyed the “aha!” moments that came from this process and truly was able to appreciate the craftsmanship this game provided because I did not feel rushed. This game is a slow burn style but I felt it allowed you to truly relax and take everything in.
Now, this game does come with a walkthrough style website (the website is hidden until the end) for after you have finished the game that does an excellent job in pointing out any puzzles you may have missed without spoiling them (you may click hyperlinks to get answers). So even if I missed a puzzle I was able to go back solve it myself which I really appreciated. There is also a conclusion letter that summarizes what Delaney has noted but I will add there are still things left unraveled in the way a novel does. It allows you to develop theories and make your own conclusions. I think this is why I emphasized Gothic Horror in the beginning – this experience is truly like a novel and the creator did a phenomenal job is making the experience human. In real life, not every answer is there folded nicely with a bow and the delicate balance there is in adding that to a game is a knife’s edge. Delaney succeeded in this balance for me. I felt satisfied with the ending.
Initially, I purchased this game second-hand but after loving the game I ended up purchasing a copy from Lady Delaney myself and gifting my used copy to a friend. This game is not cheap (259$) and it also takes quite a bit of time for the creator to assemble and ship. I preordered and it took about a month and a half for it to be made, shipped, and arrive at my house. That said, Lady Delaney was pleasant to correspond with and the game arrived safe and sound.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in this game. It was truly an immersive experience as I sifted through the lives of these characters to find an understanding of what unfolded. I felt at peace when I finished the game and to that I recommend this game. Even after you complete the experience, I still couldn’t help but think about the game and actually returned to it to re-examine clues. This game is unique and collectable. If you love engaging narratives with puzzles and mystery I would say take a look.
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