Unboxing the mind of a Cryptic Killer

About This Game

ABOUT UNBOXING THE MIND OF A CRYPTIC KILLER

Unboxing the Mind of a Cryptic Killer is the first cooperative point-and-click escape room in the “Cryptic Killer” series. Join forces with a friend and play as detective partners Ally and Old Dog in our debut two-player escape room adventure.
Up against a decade-old cold case and a dangerous new foe, can you help them solve the puzzles, crack the codes, and escape the clutches of the Cryptic Killer?

THE STORY

After getting an anonymous tip, detective partners Ally and Old Dog are sent to an old warehouse deep in the shipping district of their respective cities. On arrival, they quickly realize not all is as it seems. This crime has the ‘Cryptic Killer’s fingerprints all over it. But, with that case long put to bed – did our detective heroes catch the wrong guy, or are they dealing with a copycat killer on the loose?

Choose between playing as the no-nonsense Scottish detective Ally Abernathy, or detective ‘Old Dog’ Kowalski in Poland. In a series of carefully laid out puzzles, you and your friend must solve the puzzles, crack the codes, uncover the truth, but most importantly… Escape the warehouse! You’ll have to use everything you’ve got if you want a chance at catching the Cryptic Killer. Do you have what it takes?

Don’t forget, if you enjoy Unboxing the Mind of the Cryptic Killer, re-join Ally and Old Dog in our thrilling sequel: The Parallel Lab.

COLLABORATE AND COMMUNICATE

Unboxing the Mind of a Cryptic Killer is a puzzle for exactly two players. The name of the game is collaboration. Each takes on one of the two roles and work your way through a series of challenging puzzles. You’ll each see one half of the same puzzle and must work together to crack the codes and escape the Cryptic Killer’s clutches.

💡 Fix wiring and restore power to the warehouse
🧠 Combine your knowledge to solve challenging puzzles
🎲 Push buttons, move controllers and play mini-games together to escape
🔒 Crack the codes and unlock padlocks to progress
✏️ Get creative – some puzzles require you to draw on the screen

FEATURES LIST

• Two Player Co-Op: In Unboxing the Mind of a Cryptic Killer, the detectives are separated. You’ll see different items and clues than your partner and will be tested on your communication!
• Challenging Collaborative Puzzles: Two brains are better than one when it comes to cracking the Cryptic Killer’s codes.
• Unravel a Thrilling Story: Track the Cryptic Killer’s movements as Detectives Old Dog and Ally in this ongoing murder mystery saga.
• Explore Illustrated Worlds: Unboxing the Mind of a Cryptic Killer features hand-illustrated environments that are inspired by noir novels.
• Draw on… Everything! You can’t solve a case without taking notes. At any time in the game, you can whip out a notebook and pen to make notes and scribble on your environment.

MEET THE DETECTIVES

MEET DETECTIVE ALLY

Name: Allison Abernathy (“Ally” for short)
From: Glasgow, Scotland

Ally grew up in a police family and was always destined to sign up. A force to be reckoned with, when she puts her mind to something, nothing gets in her way.

But that streak of success came to a head when the case of the Cryptic Killer fell across her desk. Partnering with Polish detective, ‘Old Dog’ Kowalski, at first it seemed like just another day, another case, and another criminal to be caught…

But this case would prove to be different. Success would come at a far greater cost, lasting Detective Abernathy for decades to come. With a new lead and a new peril, old wounds are about to be reopened.

MEET DETECTIVE OLD DOG

Name: Steve “Old Dog” Kowalski
From: Krakow, Poland

Old Dog has an age beyond his years, older, wiser, and hardened by life. From an early age, he wanted to work in law enforcement and achieved his dreams as a young officer in the Polish police force.

His career followed success after success, that was until he was assigned a curious international case with Scottish detective ‘Ally’ to track down the Cryptic Killer. With the killer safely behind bars, something didn’t quite feel right. That something has been nagging at Old Dog for decades since.

Essentially a loner, Old Dog spends his nights listening to Jazz and drinking whisky as he obsesses over the details of the old case. All but keeping him from spiraling is his partner Ally. Will this new break upset the careful balance?

ABOUT ELEVEN PUZZLES

Five friends from Scotland and Poland, brought together by a love of games and puzzles, decided to create an online escape room that would challenge, excite and entertain. Dozens of puzzles, hundreds of hours, and thousands of coffee cups later, Eleven Puzzles was born and the Cryptic Killer series of digital escape rooms was published online. After being played by tens of thousands of escape room enthusiasts worldwide Eleven Puzzles have expanded the team, improved the series, and are bringing their long-awaited, award-winning escape rooms to Steam.

Reviews

“I’m just surprised this game isn’t at well known as it is! It’s a hidden gem for sure and one I’d highly recommend for a couples night in, or reconnecting with a friend via Zoom to puzzle it out for 90 minutes. But which character will you choose to be? Pick wisely!”
5/5 – The Escape Room-er

“I think we’ve found our first favorite cooperative puzzle game! This game really bought out the teamwork aspect through the puzzles and game design. We can’t wait to see what Eleven Puzzles will be able to whip up in the near future!”
ESCAPETHEROOMers

“Superb online puzzles don’t come by every day, and one under the co-op category is even harder to find. And yet luckily, the return of the Cryptic Killer brings us exactly that. And possibly more carnage. Aw, well. You win some, you lose some.”
Escape Mattster