Year: 2017 | Players: 1-6 | Minutes: 30+ | Ages: 12+
This Deckscape: Test Time review was made after playing the game one time (three players).
What is Deckscape: Test Time?
Deckscape: Test Time is a cooperative escape room game in which you attempt to get out of Doctor Thyme’s laboratory as quickly as possible.
The game was designed by Martino Chiacchiera and Silvano Sorrentino, and published by dV Giochi.
Rules Overview
All you have to do to set up Deckscape: Test Time is place the deck of cards on the table. The main rules are shown on the first couple of cards and you’ll be told when to start the timer. There are also a couple of clue cards that you can use if you get stuck on any of the puzzles. You’ll need a pencil and paper to mark down any errors you make during the game.
I’m not going to spoil anything in this rules overview, but what I can say is that you will have four stacks of cards that you will be going through as a group. You can always look at the top card of any deck and you can even look at all four of the top cards simultaneously.
Most of the cards will have a puzzle on the front and a solution on the back. You simply work as a group to figure out the solutions and then flip the cards to see if you’re correct. Whenever you’re incorrect you’ll mark an X on a sheet of paper.
Some of the cards will be items you’ll use for other puzzles. When you find those item cards, you put them to the side and use them when you need them.
And that’s about all there is to Deckscape: Test Time. You’ll work together to try to solve puzzles and you’ll get a score at the end based on how quickly you got through it and how many errors you made.
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Pros and Cons
Pros
- The four-deck setup is what really makes Deckscape: Test Time different than the other escape room games I’ve played. It adds an extra layer to the main puzzle because you usually need to solve a card in one deck before you can move forward in another deck. This also allows you to let each player have their own deck if you’re playing with four or fewer people.
- I like the straightforward design of the puzzle cards. You simply try to solve the puzzle on the front of the card and you’ll know right away whether you’re right or wrong when you flip the card. You don’t need an app or a separate decoder wheel in this one.
- I’m a big fan of these types of games that let you learn as you go. You really do just take the deck of cards out of the box and start playing.
- There is a good mix of easy, medium, and medium-hard puzzles. It’s not going to be very tough for good puzzle-solvers, but I think most people will find that it’s just tough enough.
- I like the way the two clue cards are designed. The clues are written backwards so you can’t accidentally see any of the solutions.
Cons
- People who are really good at puzzles might find Deckscape: Test Time to be too easy. It’s a little bit easier than the “easy” Unlock! games.
- As is the case with most escape room games, you could run into the dreaded quarterbacking issue in this game. One player can easily take over since all of the puzzles are out there for everyone to see.
- Compared to the other big escape room games out there right now, the artwork in Deckscape: Test Time is just okay. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t pop off of the paper the way it does in most of those other games.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just getting into escape room board games, I think Deckscape: Test Time is one of the better ones to start with. It’s a bit smoother than the other escape room games I’ve played and it’s a good challenge without being frustrating. It’s also a good option for anyone like me who is just okay at solving puzzles. I really enjoyed Deckscape: Test Time.
If you’ve found any of the other escape room games to be too easy—or you’re just really good at solving puzzles—I’d recommend getting one of the medium or hard Exit: The Game or Unlock! games over this one.
- Update: Check out my review of the next five Deckscape games.
Deckscape: Test Time Links
BGG | Amazon | CoolStuffInc | eBay
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