Adventure Games: Monochrome Inc.

Name: Adventure Games: Monochrome Inc.
Brand: KOSMOS
Rating: 5.95227 (1959 reviews)

A cooperative mystery you read, explore and combine your way through, one 75-minute chapter at a time, without a timer.

Designers: Phil Walker-Harding, Matthew Dunstan
Published by: KOSMOS
Editions by: IELLO, Thames & Kosmos, Korea Boardgames, Devir, 999 Games, Giochi Uniti, Piatnik, Zvezda, Dino Toys s. r. o.

Adventure Games is a series of cooperative story games from the German publisher KOSMOS, and Monochrome Inc. is one box of it. You explore places together, talk to people, hunt for clues and combine items to unravel a mysterious story. There is no timer, so the pressure comes from curiosity rather than from a ticking clock. Each box holds three chapters of about 75 minutes, and your decisions change how the story continues, with no going back once something is decided. More than one ending is a correct one, and several routes lead there. It plays more like an interactive mystery novel than a puzzle gauntlet, and it is meant for adults and older teens (16 plus).

Three story chapters of about 75 minutesChoices change the story, no going backNo timer, several possible endings

Who it's for

You like the idea of an escape room but prefer to follow a story instead of racing a clock, and you have a patient partner or small group.

Not for you if…

You want mechanics to chew on or a replay from scratch. This is story first, and a few decisions can lock you out of other paths.

Vibe's take

Calm, curious and conversational. You pass clues around, argue over which door to open next, and feel the story bend after each decision you can't undo.