Room Escape Artist

Off the Wall Word Searches is a puzzle book by Eric Berlin and Janinne Berlin.

Format

Style of Play:

• Book

Who is it For?

• Puzzle lovers
• Any experience level

Required Equipment: The book and a writing implement. We suggest a pencil with an eraser. Or FriXion pens! No internet required.

Recommended Team Size: 1-2

Play Time: This book provides hours of enjoyment! There are 50 puzzles in the book.

Price: about $12

Booking: purchase and play at your leisure

Description

This is a printed word search puzzle book with unique mechanics and hidden messages or bonus puzzles. Unlike many traditional word search puzzles, these also incorporate other puzzle types (anagrams, phrase play, word play, etc.). For some word searches, the word list itself was the puzzle! These unusual mechanics elevated the typical experience of solving word search puzzles. The puzzles can be solved in any order.

Theresa Piazza’s Reaction

I loved this book! Word puzzles are my jam and Off the Wall Word Searches gave me what I have always wanted from a collection of word searches: variety and MORE PUZZLES! Traditional word searches lose their luster quickly. After I finish one or two at a time, I don’t have an itch to do another word search for another 6+ months. The layered and varied puzzles within Off the Wall Word Searches did a great job keeping the solver engaged. The method used to locate the words in each grid changes frequently, the list of words you need to find usually involves some puzzling, and there’s always a hidden-in-plain-sight puzzle/ riddle to solve when you’re “done.” If you love word puzzles, buy this book, and take it on your next plane ride. It’s perfect to solve sans internet, and will occupy you for hours.

Cindi S’ Reaction

Off the Wall is a great name for this puzzle book because there is nothing conventional about these word searches. Each one has a special twist that offers a unique challenge beyond the typical format. And the best part – after completing each puzzle, there was a hidden message that led to a related riddle or phrase. It was a nice touch. The answer section was also done really well, as it made it easy to verify the word list without spoiling the final solution. I only wish the puzzles were numbered to make easier to locate answers in the back of the book. The final puzzle was layered and challenging and my favorite of the 50 puzzles. It left me wanting more! If you enjoy word search puzzles and want something extra, you need to get this book.

Cara Mandel’s Reaction

I have a tradition of purchasing either a book of crossword puzzles or word searches before a flight but I usually grow tired of them after a few puzzles. Enter the Off the Wall Word Searches book by Eric Berlin. Each puzzle put a spin on the typical word search format, either requiring you to solve a puzzle to derive each word or using clever wordplay to deliver hints. After solving each word search, there were even Easter egg messages left behind. This book was an absolute delight and provided hours of entertainment! I would recommend this for any puzzle enthusiasts and I’m just sad I didn’t have a flight to take before reviewing it. It’s the perfect travel companion!

Fro’s Reaction

I truly enjoyed this elevated, fun take on the classic word search format. As the creators say in the book’s introduction, these puzzles are loaded with curveballs that complement standard word searching, from creative wordplay to mystery themes to bonus content and twists and turns (literally). There was no one-size-fits-all approach to solving these puzzles and the ever-changing structure kept me on my toes. Luckily, the creators provided very clear instructions along the way, combined with an approachable progression of difficulty. Of note, there were several places where general trivia and pop culture knowledge helped me a lot. There’s a lot going on in this book and it’s sure to satisfy puzzlers with varied tastes, even those who aren’t into standard word searches. I highly recommend putting your phone down, grabbing a pencil, and giving this one a try.

Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a complimentary copy of the book.

If you enjoyed this book, listen to puzzle creator Eric Berlin on REPOD.