The Murderous Scallywag Review (AD)

Growing up, I have always enjoyed playing board games with the family or a group of friends. I particularly like strategy games – where there is an element of thought and working out. In recent years, escape rooms have become more and more popular. Basically, a team of you are on a time limit to work out clues and puzzles to ultimately ‘free’ yourself. Although the thought of being locked in a room can sound a little bit daunting, it’s actually all about the focus and figuring out those puzzles – and doing it all within the time limit.

An Escape Room You Can Play At Home

A really convenient way to get the enjoyment out of an escape room without actually ‘being’ in an escape room, is to be able to download one and play it in the comfort of your own home. Sounds strange, but that is exactly what we did! Epic Escapes is a small company who offer ‘print and play’ escape rooms and brain teasers, and I was given the opportunity to give one a go. We played a game called ‘The Murderous Scallywag’ which was a murder mystery escape room.

The Murderous Scallywag is a game suitable for up to six people (you can also play it by yourself). You simply download it then print off the game, which is 15 pages in total. It doesn’t matter if it’s in black and white or colour as it’s nice and clear. I do recommend it’s not printed double sided though, as you need to lay out the sheets to see them all. There are additional rules and clues which do not need to be printed as these can be read on the screen. We also had a pen and paper to hand to scribble down some notes.

You will need a timer because you have one hour to complete the mystery!

There is an option to choose a games master but it isn’t necessary. I played it together with my husband (who has played a few escape rooms in the past) and we worked quite well together as a team.

Who is the Murderous Scallywag?

This game is perfect for those who are into murder mysteries and detective work. Set in London in 1902, the aim of the game is to arrest the notorious murderer David ‘Scallywag’ Wallis. You have him in the interview room but you still need to gather the evidence to charge him – and you’re on a time limit. It’s said that he has committed about twenty murders so you have one hour to solve the puzzles and clues to find the evidence, which is locked in a safe somewhere in a hidden location.

It took us a while to get going with the game, but we quickly laid out the clues on the floor and we both started our detective work. We knew that there were optional clues and hints you can use (by scanning the QR codes) so we used them at times when we got stuck.

Who is the Game Suitable For?

Although the escape room has a murder mystery theme, there is nothing gory about it. However, you do need to be able to work out the clues and think laterally. It’s definitely a great game for all the family, but probably suitable for slightly older children as well as adults.

It would be perfect for a family get together or if you had friends over in the evening, or even as a team building exercise in the workplace. As it’s printable, you could also take it on holiday.

Highly Recommend

Unlike some games that can go on for hours, I really like the fact that you have one hour to complete this. If you need to take a break, simply pause the timer, then start it again when you return to the game – which is something we actually did.

Although you are thinking hard to work everything out, it’s still fun. The pressure of the timer does make you work together to solve it – and it was certainly challenging! I won’t give any more away – you have to play it for yourself..

Download The Murderous Scallywag for Free!

If you fancy playing The Murderous Scallywag, you can download it for free using my link. The offer is only available for 30 days. After that time, it can be purchased for £14.97.

https://www.epic-escapes.games/free-printable-escape-room-all-she-loves/

Do visit the Epic Escapes website for more brainteasers and games!