Key Enigma - The Butterfly Curse

The Game: The Butterfly Curse

The Creators: Key Enigma

Age Level: 16 +

Average Completion Time: 2-3 Hours

Player Count: 1-6 Players

Difficulty Level: 7/10

Type of Box: Single One Story Box

Can it be replayed? Yes! This box can be 100% reset to be replayed again

Disclaimer: We purchased this box online of our own volition

Synopsis: 

The legend tells that certain people who are blessed with the gift of deciphering and solving the most complex puzzles descend from dark pacts of blood. 

But now, an evil curse hangs over their shoulders, one that is taking the life of more than a hundred people

Storyline: 

The storyline for this box was intense. This was a horror game and the writers do all in their power to create an unsettling feeling as you play. The story has a clear flow and the cohesion is strong. You can see the work that went into developing such a complex but still clear story. They make it easy to slip into a dark world of demons, witches, spells, and curses that will make you feel uncomfortable in your own home.

Gameplay: 

The first thing we had to do was log on to the website and register an account. We hate creating accounts so we were annoyed by this, but the process was really simple. Once we did that, we played through the introduction chapter. As soon as the beginning content appeared on the phone screen, we dropped the phones and pulled out the laptop. The game is heavy in online content as you scour multiple websites and databases, and email and IM characters, all with audio or video content complementing your task. There were a few times where we felt we were lacking in physical props, instead using deductive skills as we navigated the virtual pages. That aside, Key Enigma does a really good job of creating an immersion effect with the consistent audio or video to go along with its web based play.

The game play itself was clearly defined. Each objective was clear as you moved through the tasks, and you were always sure exactly what you were looking for at the time, however finding it was another story. There were a significant amount of objectives, each with its own research and puzzle solving. There is always a virtual character available to give hints if you need them.

Difficulty: 

Most of the puzzles were fun and engaging, with only a small few missing the mark. We had quite a bit of trouble on 2 puzzles in particular. One required a prop which is absolutely needed, so if the game tells you to get something to use, you definitely need it in its full capacity. The other was admittedly not a difficult solve, however, I find when I am super engaged and I have a hunch, I run with it and get a bit overzealous. I jump the gun so to speak, and more than once, this has put us in a position where we were stuck. I really need to work on that. Mike’s frustration is becoming evident.

We give this box a difficulty rating of 6/10.

Final Thoughts:

We went into this one frustrated because the pre-game work of creating an account, and bringing out a laptop was unexpected, but as we got going, we became more engaged and by the end, we were delighted with the content and solution. We cannot stress enough that we recommend using a laptop or tablet for this one, not a phone. Key Enigma suggests one to six players, but due to the heavy amount of online content vs physical content, we would recommend this be played in a pair unless you are using multiple devices. 

Overall, once we really got into the swing of the game, it was really enjoyable, though I will say, a certain online aspect that shall remain unnamed did get old quick for us. For such a small envelope to start with, there was a lot of game to be played here. It takes some time to get to the ominous black envelope, but the contents are absolutely worth the wait!

As with all games, we urge players to lean into the theme. This is a horror box meant to give you a scare, and once you reach that prime level of immersion, you will delight in the uncomfortable feeling and the moments that get the heart rate up!

Our Completion Time: 3 Hours

Our Overall Rating:  3 out of 5

Where To Get It: Want to play this game? Here’s where to buy it!

Key Enigma currently has several single play games available that vary in price depending on length and content. At $28.00 USD, we think The Butterfly Curse is a good value and a worthy contender with comparable content out there.