Deckscape: Test Time (2017) Board Game

Deckscape: Test Time is a card game that was released in 2017 by DV Games. It is designed for 1 to 6 players, with a recommended age of 12 and up. The game falls into the categories of card game, puzzle, and real-time game, making it a unique and engaging experience for players.

Game Components of Deckscape: Test Time

A deck of slightly oversized cards

Score sheet for tracking penalties

Hint cards with hints printed backwards

Paper and pencil for note-taking

How To Setup Deckscape: Test Time

To set up the game, players place the deck of cards on the table and remove the top card to begin reading. The initial cards guide players on how to set up the game, typically by dividing the deck into multiple stacks with only the top card showing. This setup allows for parallel puzzling through different stacks while maintaining the sequence within each pile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to solve puzzles.

Card-Based System: Puzzles and items are revealed through cards.

Time Pressure: Players have to escape the laboratory within an hour.

Puzzle Solving: Players solve puzzle cards, with correct answers allowing progression and incorrect answers resulting in time penalties.

Hint System: Hint cards with clues printed backwards are available.

Objective: Escape the laboratory by solving all puzzles before the time runs out.

Player Experience

Playing Deckscape: Test Time is an engaging and visual experience, with puzzles presented through large illustrations on the cards. The game is easy to pick up, with the first few cards walking players through the basic rules. However, the open-ended nature of the puzzles can sometimes feel like guessing, as the prompts can be broad and not always aligned with the designers’ intent. The game offers multiple paths for parallel puzzling, keeping all players engaged.

Pros

Simple Rules: Easy to understand and start playing.

Portability: Compact and lightweight, making it easy to take anywhere.

Visual Puzzles: Engaging and heavily visual puzzles.

Low Price: Affordable at $16 per game.

Inventive Final Puzzle: The final puzzle in *Test Time* is particularly inventive and engaging.

Cons

Variable Puzzle Difficulty: Puzzles can have wild variability in difficulty.

Lack of Surprise: Few puzzles offer surprise and delight in their cleverness.

Repetition: Relies too heavily on a few types of puzzles, leading to repetition.

Obtuse Puzzles: Some puzzles are seriously obtuse and feel cheap.

Personal Thoughts on Deckscape: Test Time

Deckscape: Test Time is ideal for families, puzzle lovers, and tabletop gamers of any experience level. While it may not be as polished as other escape room games like Unlock!, it offers a fun and portable experience. The game’s strongest point is its inventive final puzzle and the ease of setup and play. However, the repetition in puzzle types and the presence of obtuse puzzles are notable drawbacks. Overall, it’s a decent game that shows promise for future scenarios in the series.

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