Chaos & Confetti

Review – Professor Charlie’s World Tour by Hidden Games
Website Link – https://a.co/d/faYv1Nl
Price – $29.99

THE PRODUCT

Professor Charlie’s World Tour is a chain of twenty-four puzzles presented through  a series of letters.  Professor Charlie has made an awesome discovery that he hopes to share with someone worthy of learning about it.  As one of his assistants, you may be that person, but first you must use the letters he has sent to retrace the steps of his research and journey around the world.  Prove yourself to see the world and to learn a secret that can change the world.

The game comes with a collection of letters in uniquely designed envelopes.  Each time players solve a puzzle, they will be given a clue about what envelope to open next.  This pattern will continue until every letter is solved and the Professor’s secret discovery is yours to know.  Each puzzle should take between 5-15 minutes.

This adventure can be taken on all at once, in chunks or advent style over the course of twenty-four days.

The majority of the game is self-contained in the box.  However, players will occasionally require an internet-enabled device for certain puzzles and for their final answer submission at the end of the game.

Professor Charlie’s World Tour is suggested for 1-6 players, aged 14+.  It is meant to take 3-4 hours.  As a duo, we completed the game in two sittings which totaled around 3 ½ hours.  

OUR THOUGHTS:

Puzzles: 4.5/5 Stars

Professor Charlie’s World Tour’s chain of puzzles are top notch.  The game delivers a series of twenty-plus puzzles which each feel unique.  The game makes good use of each letter’s limited space, fitting in strong clues and solid puzzles.  

The majority of the puzzles did take us within the promised 5-15 minute time frame, with only one or two taking us longer.  The puzzles may take a little mulling over, but they are all very doable.  Once the idea behind the puzzle clicks, players will usually have no problem figuring out the necessary information to advance.

Knowing that they are looking for something that will point them towards another letter can help players if they keep in mind what is on each envelope.  If an answer is mostly solved or close, it’s not too difficult to piece together what letter is most likely next in the series.  However, if a player feels really stuck, there is an online hint system to help those in need of one.  

No matter how players approach Professor Charlie’s World Tour, they should find the puzzles to be of great quality and design.

Narrative: 3/5 Stars

Professor Charlie’s world-wide research sets up a nice framework and narrative reason for the chain of puzzles.  Each letter gives a little character along with the information required for the next puzzle.  

Don’t expect a super deep and immersive story, as the letters mostly just give quick tidbits on Charlie’s escapades in different countries.  The story is often really presented as a place to embed puzzle clues within.

It is only during the final wrap up that the narrative makes bigger steps and makes its big revelations, which most players should find pretty assuming.

Overall Fun: 4.5/5 Stars

While players’ experiences may different slightly depending on how they choose to play Professor Charlie’s World Tour, in larger sittings or as an advent-style adventure, the enjoyment level should still be high.

One of the benefits of quicker, easy-to-medium difficulty puzzles is that it leaves players feeling bright and accomplished.  However, even when breezing through puzzles, there are enough here that the experience still feels meaty and worthwhile.  

Only once did we find any real frustration at a puzzle, but even then we figured it out and then moved on happily.  Overall, we found the game very fun, especially since our puzzling experience ran mostly smoothly thanks to well designed and clued puzzles.  

We recommend Professor Charlie’s World Tour for all types of puzzles.  It is approachable enough for newer puzzlers, and fun enough for experienced gamers who want to try their hand at a series of unique puzzles.

FINAL SCORES:

Puzzles: 4.5/5 Stars

Narrative: 3/5 Stars

Overall Fun: 4.5/5 Stars

OFFICIAL C&C FINAL RATING: 4/5 Stars

Disclaimer: we purchased the game with our own money, this review is not sponsored. All thoughts are our own.