Cantaloop: Book 1 – Breaking into Prison (2020) Board Game

Cantaloop: Book 1 – Breaking into Prison is a unique board game that was released in 2020 by Lookout Games. Designed by Friedemann Findeisen and Grzegorz Kobiela, this game falls under the adventure category and is filled with humor, exploration, and deduction elements. The game is set in a video game theme, where players take on the role of characters trying to break into a prison.

Game Components of Cantaloop: Book 1 – Breaking into Prison

1 Spiral-bound book

1 Map (postcard)

1 Trigger sheet

1 Decoder (red-foil)

1 Poster

60 Cards

Items and character cards

How To Setup Cantaloop: Book 1 – Breaking into Prison

To set up the game, players start with the spiral-bound book, which contains the game world, characters, and puzzles. The game begins with a tutorial introduction where players receive a Magnifying Glass and a Cell Phone. These items are used to interact with the environment and characters, revealing alphanumeric codes that progress the story. The Trigger sheet is used to track progress, and the Decoder helps reveal hidden text.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Play as Oz “Hook” Carpenter, a small-time criminal seeking revenge on the most powerful man in the city. The goal is to gather a team of uniquely-skilled individuals to aid in breaking into prison.

Mechanics:
– Combine item codes with location codes or other item codes to solve puzzles.
– Use the Decoder to reveal hidden text.
– Explore 20 beautifully illustrated locations.
– Interact with characters to gather information and items.
– Use the Trigger sheet to unlock new parts of the story.

Player Experience

Players experience a non-linear story filled with quirky characters, puzzles, and exploration. The game offers an open-world feel, allowing players to spend as much time as they want at each location and combine different codes to see what happens. This freedom to explore and solve puzzles in various ways keeps the game engaging and challenging.

Pros

Open-World Feel: Allows players to explore locations freely and combine different codes to see the outcomes.

Multiple Puzzles: Players usually have several puzzles to work on, reducing the likelihood of getting stuck.

Humor and Story: The game features snarky humor reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventure games.

Interactive Adventure: Brings back the nostalgia of playing classic point-and-click games like Leisure Suit Larry or Sam and Max Hit the Road.

Cons

Story Payoff: The story feels incomplete, more like the first act of a book rather than a self-contained first installment in a trilogy.

Puzzle Clarity: Some puzzles have tiny text that can be difficult to read, and some puzzles only accept one solution despite multiple possible approaches.

Backstory: Lack of detailed backstory for the main character, Hook Carpenter.

Personal Thoughts on Cantaloop: Book 1 – Breaking into Prison

Cantaloop: Book 1 – Breaking into Prison is ideal for fans of point-and-click adventure games and those who enjoy cooperative puzzle-solving. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate non-linear storytelling and the freedom to explore and interact with a game world without the need for electronic devices. While the game has some minor drawbacks, such as the story feeling incomplete and some puzzle clarity issues, it offers a unique and engaging gaming experience that captures the essence of classic adventure games.

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