Unlock! Secret Adventures is the fourth Unlock! range by Space Cowboys we have reviewed and each game has continued to entertain us to the max! We love this range of adventure cooperative card games.
As a quick explanation to this card game, it follows a very similar format to those real escape rooms but here you can play in the comfort of your own home. The game requires players to cooperate to search scenes, combine objects, and solve riddles, in order to solve the puzzles before the timer runs out. There are three full one-hour scenarios in the box, as well as a 10 minute taster game to get the hang of how to play.
This game is required to be played alongside the free Unlock! app via Google Play or App Store. Once downloaded, an internet connection is not required during gameplay. After launching the app, players must select the box, then the game language: they are directed towards the adventure selection screen. There are quite a few adventures listed on the app, so make sure you click the correct adventure which is the Secret Adventures for this occasion.
The app is very easy and intuitive. On your phone or tablet screen, it shows your timer counting down and a button for hints, hidden objects, penalties etc. Some of the cards in play have a machine or computer etc. which has a unique number on it. By typing the unique number into the app, you can solve these puzzles and know instantly if you got the solution correct.
As you play the game, you might find that you are stuck or unsure of what you should be doing next. The app has a hint system for you to use by simply hitting the Hint button on the app, typing in the card number that you are stuck on and the system will give you some help to get you on your way but some card have no hints at all.
This game is for one to six players, and ages 10 and above. Each game will take around an hour to play but it’s usually a little bit more for us!
Inside the well-made box, it comes with three sealed decks of adventure cards plus a ten-card tutorial and instructions. The ten-card tutorial allows you to learn how to play without reading the game rules. The tutorial only lasts 10 minutes or less. It can be shorter or longer depending on how fast you are able to solve it. We skipped the tutorial as we have played a number of these now, with the first being the Unlock! Escape Adventures game.
For this Unlock! Secret Adventures game, it consists of three captivating adventures: A Noside Story (easy – one lock), Tombstone Express (medium – two locks) and The Adventurers of Oz (hard – three locks). This time around, we decided to play the hard level the Adventurers of Oz.
In this adventure, you are helping Dorothy to return to Kansas! Now you get the chance to rediscover the Wonderful Land of Oz by visiting its Wizard and challenging the Wicked Witch of the West! Time is running out and you have to defeat the witch to get back!
For this adventure, you are given 90 minutes to complete this and yet again, we failed. We didn’t manage to help Dorothy to get back to Kansai with Toto. This adventure was more complicated with a lot more puzzles to solve by combining multiple cards to solve the complex puzzles and it was very tricky to play! We had to ask for hints and solutions for many of our cards to progress to the next stage. It was very hard!
The music on this adventure was very soothing and easy to listen to! There are a few hidden codes on the pictures by placing the magic mirror on top of some of the cards, so make sure you check each card carefully by turning to match the colours. Also, some pictures are connected with one another to give you more clues!
As I mentioned earlier, we didn’t manage to find our way out within 90 minutes, but the time on the app will continue counting until you solve it. We all find this game great fun to play, especially as a family game. It challenges us on many levels with head-scratching puzzles. There is also plenty of satisfaction in store when you manage to crack the code! There are many hidden clues on the cards and it is important to inspect each card carefully. It can be frustrating when we fail to grasp the designers’ train of thought. We keep asking why and what to do next! We did end up seeking additional hints by going onto the maker’s website for the step-by-step solution. Hopefully, you will do better than us, but if you need a helping hand, please visit: https://www.spacecowboys.fr/unlock-solutions-english
As I mentioned in all the Unlock! blog posts, we love this type of game very much, but once you complete all three adventures, there is not much play value again but we will keep it for half a year or more to re-play it. We’ve tried this already with the Escape Adventures game and you will be surprised how little of the solution you remember!
The game is inexpensive to buy, so it is worth getting this game to play with your family and friends for an evening’s entertainment. I would highly recommend it to anyone! This game can be purchased from all good toy retailers, as well as national retailers such as Argos, eBay and Amazon.
Disclosure: We are members of Asmodee UK Blogger Board Game Club. We received the sample for the purposes of writing this review, however, all thoughts and opinions remain our own. We have included an Amazon affiliate link to the product. If you click on this and buy, we may earn a small commission.