Box One is a clever solo puzzle game full of surprises, mystery and charm. Designed by Neil Patrick Harris, it starts simply but quickly becomes something much more intriguing – a unique escape-room-style experience that keeps you thinking long after you’ve packed it away.
Written by Chad Wilkinson
From an outsider’s point of view, the board game industry comes across as a largely supportive and non-confrontational one. We don’t hear stories of designers aggressively vying to blow another designer’s latest worker-placement game out of the water with a shiny new take on the genre. I guess it’s just not necessary. But if there was a genre prone to bringing out such attitudes, I’d put money on it being escape room/puzzle games: With such emphasis being placed upon surprise and cleverness, every new escape room game must pursue creativity and uniqueness in a way that sets it apart from the competition. Games like Unlock and Exit: The Game may have laid the foundations for others to build upon, but to really stand out, maybe it’s better to tear it all to the ground.
Box One is a curious, well, box. From an oversized keyhole punched into its front, actor and magician Neil Patrick Harris peers out. You’ll spot him on the sides too. It’s disconcerting, especially so when following the game’s specific instructions to play alone. Generally speaking, having a celebrity’s face plastered upon a product does not immediately imply quality but, thankfully, that’s certainly not the case here. Upon opening the box we’re presented with a lovely felt-lined insert holding a notepad, a sturdy box of cards, and a rather fancy pen – matte-black and gilt with an intricate ‘NPH’ logo. There’s also a small envelope containing a card with instructions for what must be the most bizarre first steps of a game ever. But I won’t spoil that for you.
It’s a bold and promising first impression – which, of course, is a must for these types of games. Strangely though, Box One immediately seems to take a step back as it begins to ease the solitary player through a comparatively generic series of cards found within its handsome box. These are a mix of trivia, code-cracking, and cyphers. Each card gradually increases in complexity and typically makes reference to the cards and answers preceding it. Mostly, it’s fine, but it’s hardly groundbreaking. Nevertheless, there’s an unmistakable creeping feeling occurring as we make our way through the deck. All is not as it seems, and some sort of twist feels imminent, but, for now, Box One is keeping its cards close to its chest.
Box One is undoubtedly a gripping solo experience, and it does a spectacular job at approaching the escape room genre from a different angle. Defining it as ‘an experience’ though is, arguably, doing the game a disservice. Many solo games are applauded for subverting expectations and becoming ‘an experience’. All this tells me is that, maybe, it’s not really much of a game. Box One manages both, becoming more than a game whilst remaining playful. When you’re not playing it’s a niggling mystery buried in your brain; when it’s back on the table it’s tactile and familiar, even if it has a tendency to unexpectedly twist up the format.
As I’ve just implied, Box One isn’t a game you’ll plough through in one sitting. I did it in two, and I believe most people will do the same. It wants to, and should, occupy your thoughts for a while. It is, in a way, a light roleplaying game of some sort, which, when considering these out-of-game meta moments, essentially makes us method actors. Kind of. And whilst this hasn’t been a typical review, I hope I’ve at least piqued the curiosity of a few readers.
Yes.
It’s a clever and attractively presented box of surprises, offering a genuinely unique escape room-type experience.
You should try it if you liked Exit: The Game, as it feels like a more deluxe take on some of the original escape games, and proof that there are still surprises to be had in the genre.
Related article: More of the best escape room games
Designer: Neil Patrick Harris
Publisher: Theory11
Time: 3-4 hours
Players: 1
Ages: 14+
Price: £30
Sometimes we may include links to online retailers, from which we might receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate links do not influence editorial coverage and will only be used when covering relevant products