We first discovered EscapeWelt’s portable escape room puzzles last year, when we checked out special plexiglass editions of some of their most successful releases. They’re back this year with Blackbeard’s Compass, a new pirate-themed puzzle box that’s heavily inspired by the legendary pirate captain. Time for a closer look.
Blackbeard’s Compass immerses players in the lore of Captain Blackbeard with a mix of riddles and innovative mechanics – which involve things such as sea knots, a treasure map, and even a real compass. For something that fits into the palm of your hand, the designers sure went to great lengths to make sure it ties in very well with the theme – going well beyond the pirate/kraken exterior that immediately catches your eye.
The premise of Blackbeard’s Compass immediately draws players into the mystique of Captain Edward Teach’s hidden treasure. Getting started can feel tricky as there is an overwhelming amount of stuff going on with this box, but when you get started you find that each completed riddle/puzzle unlocks the next. The narrative cleverly weaves Blackbeard’s lore into mind-bending puzzles, unraveling secrets one by one and immersing players into the lore.
From a gameplay perspective, Blackbeard’s Compass introduces a refreshing twist to traditional escape room mechanics, challenging you to break into a puzzle box rather than break out of a room. The tactile and compact nature of the puzzle box plays to its advantage, with intricate details pulling you in and adding to the enjoyment. It’s not a casual experience though, and there’s a degree of ambiguity to what you’re given in terms of guidance – which can be frustrating as there are no escape room operators to drop hints for you.
Despite these nuances, the quality of Blackbeard’s Compass shines through. The craftsmanship of the wooden components, combined with the beauty of the compass itself, makes this one great to look at and enjoyable even before you actually start solving the puzzles. And despite many moving pieces and wonderful artistry, the compass has a robust design.
In conclusion, this is an experience that delivers on its fun factor through discovery and puzzle solving, although it comes with a relatively high price point for the amount of gameplay you get. As such, this is one to consider as a gift idea, where the game’s standout aesthetic and theme make it not only a fun puzzle box but also a real eye-catcher you’re going to want to keep around afterwards.
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