Room Escape Artist

A Spellbinding Game

Location: at home

Date Played: June 21, 2026 (player) & July 30, 2026 (gamemaster)

Team Size: Must play with 6 players total (including a gamemaster who plays a specific character)

Duration:  4 to 5 hours

Price: $68 for the standard boxed game

Content Warnings: Mild references to fantasy suicide, troubled childhood, and genre-typical violence. Ages 16+ recommended.

REA Reaction

Blood Moon Pact was probably the first jubensha where I finished the game feeling completely satisfied. With jubensha, there’s often a balancing act between encouraging players to keep their secrets, but creating an in-game motivation for them to reveal at some point. This game walked that line better than most by offering incentives to players who chose to share information. By the end, nearly every secret had been dragged out of the darkness, and we were able to see the full picture.

Normally, when playing jubensha, I’ve come to terms with a few things. I probably won’t uncover every character’s secrets. There’s a good chance I’ll accuse the wrong killer. And by the end, I’ll probably have at least one gripe about the balance between clues and mystery. Don’t get me wrong—I’m completely spellbound while I’m in the thick of gameplay. But once the magic dust settles, I’m often left wishing the enchantment held all the way through. 

This was not the case with Blood Moon Pact. The narrative stayed engaging across the five-hour runtime, constantly revealing new layers without feeling repetitive or frustrating. Each character had a complete arc. Game prompts helped us physically embody our characters, adding to the immersive aspect. But what surprised me most was the resolution, which hit me harder than I expected. I wasn’t the only one sitting quietly misty-eyed at the end.

 I could really feel that the game was rooting for us. It engineered opportunities for players to interact and forge bonds. More than once, I spotted duos hidden in corners, whispering intently. This was one of the first jubensha where I really felt set up to succeed.

I had the chance to experience Blood Moon Pact twice: first as a player, and again as the gamemaster. Seeing both sides of the game gave me an even greater appreciation for how thoughtfully the game is designed. As a player, I remember walking away from the game thinking “this is great for beginners because of how well it flowed and how clear each narrative thread feels.” As the gamemaster, I appreciated both the complexity of the game, and how it used game mechanics to guide the torrent of information and teach players.

Blood Moon Pact reminded me of why I fell in love with playing jubensha. It delivered on the promise of an intriguing mystery, characters worth inhabiting, and a satisfying ending that brings it all together. From the guided actions to the accompanying video, it created a truly intimate experience, and I was fully immersed in the story. If you’re at all curious about trying jubensha, or even if you’re already under its spell, Blood Moon Pact is a game you shouldn’t miss.

Who is this for?

• Story seekers
• Fans of dark fantasy themes
• This game has enough complexity for players with some jubensha experience, but new players would also enjoy this story.

Why play?

• Well-clued mysteries
• Rewarding gameplay
• Surprising emotional depth

Story

Under a blood moon, our group of seven strangers descended into a hidden shrine beneath Moonshadow Lake, only to find our escape sealed and a murderer among us. Bound together until dawn, we had to untangle the old secrets that bound us together before the killer claimed another life—and our only way home.

Setup

Blood Moon Pact followed fairly standard jubensha mechanics. Players read their backstory and received clues with “observations” or “memories” of other players. Players could choose to keep certain pieces of information private or share with the group. Some information must be shared publicly. There were both private and group conversations.

There was an accompanying video that contained gamemaster prompts and helped control the pacing of the game.

Gameplay

Blood Moon Pact was a standard jubensha with an accessible-to-moderate level of difficulty. 

Core gameplay revolved around investigating other players and receiving clues with “observations” and “memories” of other players, making connections, and using deductive reasoning.

Gameplay also involved some aspect of tracking timelines, but the game helpfully offered a mechanic that made this feel easier than in other jubensha. There was also a fun element of spellcasting and discovering “books” that help advance the story.

Analysis

❓ The storyline contained less taboo scandalous soap opera elements than most jubensha. While I still heard occasional gasps from players as they read through their stories, this game didn’t feel as sordid as others in the genre.

➕ I especially loved the opening. Instead of the traditional mini-play, the game began with a series of guided actions. This structure encouraged us to physically embody our characters, and kickstarted the roleplaying aspect. 

➖ Some players who had never played jubensha before felt the game could use more guidance at the beginning. Players received “tips and tricks” halfway through, but a short primer for first-time players at the start would be helpful. 

➕/➖ There’s an interesting element of “spellcasting” in this game. Casting spells helped us gain information in various ways. I just wish it was more fully integrated into the flow of the game. In both playthroughs, we sometimes forgot about it entirely. A few more prompts to cast spells might have made this mechanic feel more consequential, because it was very fun.

❓ This was a demanding game to run as the gamemaster:

• Many pieces of information were tied to “triggers.” A player would ask for a specific item or perform a particular action that unlocked new information.
• As the gamemaster, I needed to keep track of all of these triggers while also playing my own character, who had a full backstory, motivations, and secrets of their own. It was a lot to juggle, but kept me entertained and occupied throughout the session.
• New gamemasters may struggle with the complexity, but experienced players who enjoy spinning lots of plates will probably relish the challenge. 

➕ Blood Moon Pact included an accompanying video featuring atmospheric music, evocative visuals, prompts, and built-in timers. This was a game changer. It lightened the gamemaster’s workload, kept the pacing on track, and made the whole experience feel like we were participating in an actual blood moon ritual—in the best way possible.

➖ A sheet with a short description of each character would have been handy, allowing players to choose which character they wanted to play ahead of time. That way, players could show up in appropriate costume if they so wished. 

➕ Often, jubensha rewards players for KEEPING their secrets, which can lead to a less fulfilling experience, in my opinion. I liked that Blood Moon Pact incentivized players to share their information publicly while still leaving the decision to us.

❓ One of the players felt conflicted about sharing information because they thought it went against their character’s principles and beliefs. They struggled with reconciling the roleplaying aspect with the mystery-solving aspect.

➕/➖ Certain players received information on a timed basis. The players themselves must keep track of the timing, which felt a little complicated to juggle. However, the information seemed to be well timed when it was eventually revealed, often giving us just the nudge we needed when we were stuck.

Tips For Players

• Many jubensha available in English are translations. Blood Moon Pact was originally created in English.
• I recommend the gamemaster have some previous experience with running these types of games. They should also be given the game in advance so they can familiarize themselves with the story and how to run it.
• Before the game, consider assigning the characters or letting the players choose, so they can wear appropriate costumes or accessories. Getting dressed up is part of the fun!
• Space Requirements:
  • There is an accompanying Youtube video with gamemaster prompts and atmospheric music. A large screen or TV works well, so the entire group can see the graphics and hear the music. 
  • There are a lot of cards for the gamemaster to organize and players will also want room to spread out their cards to view all the clues together. I recommend playing this on a surface like a larger coffee table or table.
  • A location with enough room or multiple rooms for players to go off and have private conversations without being overheard.
  • Mood lighting, and perhaps providing candlelight (electric, for safety please) will really help set the tone.
• Required Gear:
  • It will be helpful to provide pen, paper, and maybe clipboards so players can easily take notes.

Buy your copy of Twist n Turn Studio’s Blood Moon Pact, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.