This is an unusual, collaborative table-top game designed for 3-8 players to work together to solve a mystery. The story line involves a retired astronomer and strange happenings at his estate. Players read through a series of scenes that require reading (or listening to) a narrative and solving puzzles that unlock clues as the story unfolds. The puzzles mostly relying upon abstract reasoning and spatial perception skills to fit pieces together for clues to move ahead through the game. Players have the option to use the game's website for help, or can simply use the information provided in the box including colorful envelopes, reading cards, and puzzle pieces. The mystery story unfolds in an interesting and intriguing way, as the players solve the puzzles. With an enthusiastic, engaged group this can be a very enjoyable way to spend 1-2 hours. However, the instructions and story text are dense. An adult might need to read the scene cards aloud, simplify or summarize the key points and provide guidance on how to organize or proceed with the steps, especially for younger students or those with weaker comprehension or reasoning skills. Those with weaker listening or attention skills might have difficulty following along, and those who are uncomfortable with collaborative problem solving might need added encouragement to participate. If the goal is collaborative problem solving, rather than a social evening, this activity is best for a group of up to 4 players.

• Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
• Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
• Presents educational concepts accurately
• Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
• Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
• Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
• Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

• Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
• Visually appealing to children in the target age range
• Adults would enjoy playing with a child
• For electronic games, gives positive or encouraging feedback
• Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
• Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

• Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
• Student should be able to use independently after first use
• Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
• Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
• Does not require excessive set-up time after first time use
• Can be fun as a single player game
• Multi-player game which fosters collaboration or cooperation
• Well-made for the cost
• For electronic games, can play without sound
• For electronic games, allows user to save work
• For electronic games, voice/sounds are appealing and pronounces words properly
• Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
• Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
• Overall - Easy to use

• Abstract Reasoning
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
• Anxiety
• Themes that might disturb sensitive students (death, blood, slime)
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Attention
• Has auditory distractions that cannot be silenced (background music, players shout answers, etc.)
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Auditory Memory
• Auditory Processing
• Has auditory distractions that cannot be silenced (background music, players shout answers, etc.)
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Expressive Language
• Student must be able to speak clearly to be successful
• Fine Motor Skills
• Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
• Has small parts that may be difficult to manipulate (e.g. battleship pegs)
• General Information
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Listening Comprehension
• Has auditory distractions that cannot be silenced (background music, players shout answers, etc.)
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Organization
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Processing Speed
• Requires scanning in multiple places for words, objects or numbers
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Reading Basics
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Reading Comprehension
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Reading Fluency
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Spatial Perception
• Requires scanning in multiple places for words, objects or numbers
• Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
• Verbal Memory
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Verbal Reasoning
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Visual Discrimination
• Requires scanning in multiple places for words, objects or numbers
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Words used during activity can be too small or difficult to read
• Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement
• Directions are visually difficult to read
• Working Memory
• Requires scanning in multiple places for words, objects or numbers
• Student cannot take as much time as needed to read text
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own

Escape the Room games began as digital adventures and quickly turned into real-life events all around the world. In both versions, players are locked in a room and must uncover clues and hidden objects to escape. ThinkFun's version of Escape the Room allows you to bring home all the excitement of this experience, without actually locking anyone in a room. Spend an evening working with your guests to unravel the mystery of the Stargazer's Manor and save a well-known astronomer by finding clues and solving puzzles. But be careful, in this nail-biting party game, the doors have shut and locked behind you. Will you and your guests be able to solve the mystery and save the astronomer before time runs out?