U is for Unlock!: Escape Adventures - The Island of Doctor Goorse

By Days of Wonder

Since we played an Exit Game for "E," we decided to play an Unlock game for "U" and compare them.

Players: 2-6

Time: 60 minutes

Ages: 10+

Theme: Escape "Room"

Mechanics:Co-Op, Puzzle

First, Unlock: the Island of Doctor Gorse: 

This one was a bit of a bummer at the start. It's the first one we've played where the group was "split up" (which means you can't really play solo). The reason I found it to be a bummer is that while we were "separated," I had literally only one puzzle to solve on my side of the island and Dustin had several on his side. So he was over on the other side of the table, throwing cards around, writing on the notepad, while I sat there twiddling my thumbs (because my puzzle was solved and I had to wait for Dustin to solve all of his before I could do anything). I just kept starting at the cards, thinking I was missing something. Spoiler: I wasn't. The takeaway is that the beginning of this particular Unlock scenario was a bit unbalanced. Once we found each other on the island, I was allowed to look at his cards and start solving things again, but up until then I was frustrated and a tad bored.

 

We rate it a 6.5/10, which means we're usually willing to play... if we're in the mood.

Now let's compare the two brands:

1. REPLAYABILITY: Winner: Unlock

You don't cut, draw on, or mutilate the cards in any way, so you can replay these scenarios in a year or two when you've forgotten all the puzzles or you can loan to friends. (Also, when it asks you to destroy cards in games-- like Pandemic/Risk Legacy, I cry giant crocodile tears and then slip the cards underneath the box inserts). In Exit, you have to destroy the game to figure out some of the puzzles, so it goes straight into the trash bin (or recycling) when you're done with it.

2. TIME: Winner: Unlock

Unlock goes way quicker, so I'm not ready to stab my eyes out or bang my head repeatedly against the wall by the end... That being said, the puzzles in Exit are different and more challenging, which is why it takes longer. Unlock also times you (companion app) and you are punished for wrong solutions, which stresses me out, but may add an interesting element for others.

3. PUZZLES: Winner: Exit

The Exit games are admittedly a bit more challenging. They are even somewhat fun when they're not making me feel like a giant idiot. Some of them are pretty obscure, which I find to be frustrating, but when you solve one, you FEEL GOOD. The puzzles in Unlock are simpler and mostly involve pairing items and entering codes into the app.

4. HINT SYSTEM: Winner: Exit

The hints in Unlock are not useful and mostly just give you information you already have. Exit has three hints for each puzzle (first a nudge, then a solid hint, and then the solution).

 

FINAL WINNER: It's a tie? They are both worth playing. Each series has some hits and some misses. Personally, I prefer the quick gameplay and simplicity of Unlock, but recognize that the puzzles are more challenging and rewarding in Exit.