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Countdown to Chaos is a wonderfully mysterious game that blends modern ideas with old-school reality. The Detective Society create phenomenal experiences, and this standalone detective endeavour is no different! Its nod to the real world and hidden details are a treat to work through. Moreover, I never felt out of my depth though it has some challenging elements.
My favourite part of this game was the lack of guidance and rules. Instead, you rip open the packaging, read the core information, and get to work. Accordingly, there is no right or wrong way to tackle this detective experience. You are left to your own devices as you explore a world that is filled with betrayal and deceit.
A digital heaven.
I’m not usually a fan of “Internet-required games”. However, Countdown to Chaos blends its tactile and digital elements perfectly. The use of a paper decoder and your mobile phone were amazing. What’s more, I loved the websites and their fun and interesting designs. My favourite aspect of the online mechanics was the challenge of deciphering key information. Each page has plenty of nonsense that can be skimmed over. Yet, you have to be careful not to miss any essential clues.
As you progress through the game, you utilise plenty of dated tools to get you on your way. Additionally, I found it handy to grab a pen and paper or my Remarkable tablet to jot down any prevalent information. Once you think you have solved a puzzle, you must use the handy app to see what must be done next.
Though this aspect of the game was linear, you were free to spend as much or as little time on each layer as you liked. This was great as I rarely felt pressured. Furthermore, like other Detective Society products, this is a one-run-only game. Consequently, if you miss anything the first time around, you will not return to see what you’ve overlooked.
Great when in a team.
Countdown to Chaos is a 1-4-player detective experience. We played it as a pair and this helped when solving some of the more difficult aspects. If you love this genre, you can probably work through every puzzle without concern. Yet, if you are relatively inexperienced, having a partner can prevent frustration or the need to seek advice.
My only concern with Countdown to Chaos is its single-run approach. Whenever I play a board game I expect plenty of replay value. As such, it was a little unusual to endure a one-hit-only game. Luckily, I found the short but fascinating gameplay to be worth every penny. This is available for £11.99 and that is great value for money. Our game lasted around 1 and a half hours and this was just right. However, experts may get through this in under an hour!
Is Countdown to Chaos worth it?
I’ve enjoyed plenty of great detective games. Yet, I’ve not played anything like Countdown to Chaos. The freedom to tackle every puzzle and get hands-on with the clues was fantastic. Moreover, I loved the quality of each core element. The maps were easy to read and the paper clues were simple to handle. On top of this, the digital tools were quick, intuitive, and full of detail.
Though 1 to 2 hours may not seem a lot, I adored the fascinating world and the excellent level of depth. The Detective Society has designed a wonderful crime prequel that will appeal to gamers of all ages. Accordingly, if you want an unusual but captivating detective game, I recommend buying it here!
(More information on the Detective Society can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
