Let’s make some happy little islands.
Location: at home
Date Played: January 9, 2020
Team size: we recommend 1-4
Duration: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Price: about $20
REA Reaction
The Happy Isles was a work of sublime genius.
In addition to all of the things that The Magic Puzzle company has done right, they achieved something extra in The Happy Isles. The art was intimidating from a jigsaw puzzling standpoint, but the way it was drawn made it feel subtly solvable. Little details gave away so much information. It was brilliant.
I highly recommend The Happy Isles. That said, I’d encourage you to solve The Mystic Maze first. They do similarly brilliant things, but I feel confident that The Mystic Maze is the stronger starting place.
When you’re finished with The Mystic Maze, have The Happy Isles waiting for you. Solve them both. They’re great.
Series Overview
This review only covers details specific to this individual Magic Puzzle Company jigsaw puzzle.
For a detailed explanation of the concept and mechanics, and a general analysis of the entire product line, check out The Magic Puzzle Company Overview.
Analysis
➕ While this puzzle felt intimidating because of the volume of similar-looking design elements, colors, and textures, there was a cleverness to the details that made this jigsaw puzzle feel like something that you truly solved, instead of simply assembled. I shall say no more.
➕ The playfulness and nerdy details scattered throughout The Happy Isles made assembling each island a joy. There were always new details to notice.
❓ This puzzle was intimidating. Just looking at the box art felt daunting.
➕ The transformation was quite cool… and really pulled the puzzle together.
Buy your copy of The Magic Puzzle Company’s The Happy Isles and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
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