Games like Box One: what to play next
For games like Box One, start with what you want next. Box Two continues theory11’s puzzle-box format. Blackbrim: 1876 offers a longer story with printed clues, while Down the Rabbit Hole is a gentler Wonderland adventure. EXIT has many short standalone games, and PostCurious is worth a look for its illustrated puzzle materials. Here’s how the options compare.
Puzzling Pursuits makes Blackbrim and Down the Rabbit Hole. The comparisons below use publisher information and linked reviews; playtime estimates from reviewers are identified where they appear.
What did you want more of after Box One?
Box One has received strong reviews, including theory11 customer reviews and coverage from escape-room reviewers. Reviews can help identify what you’d like more of, whether that’s a longer playtime or a harder set of puzzles.
One buyer on theory11’s review page said the game “held my hand 90 percent of the time.” Room Escape Artist gave Box One a Golden Lock award while describing it as an accessible challenge. If you finished wanting a harder puzzle, use that preference to choose your next game.
If you enjoyed the surprises, look for another puzzle box. If you wanted more time with the clues, compare the estimated playtimes below. Those are different reasons to choose a sequel or try another publisher.
Box One vs Box Two, and which to play next
Box Two is theory11’s follow-up to Box One. In its review of Box Two, Room Escape Artist reports about two to three hours of play and recommends one or two players. Its reviewers used an internet-connected phone for the online parts.
Box Two’s online interaction changes the experience from Box One. Room Escape Artist’s review discusses those differences in detail. Consider whether that part of the game appeals to you alongside the physical puzzles.
Box One is designed for a single player. If playing alone was part of its appeal, keep that in mind when comparing the alternatives below.
Puzzling Pursuits, for the same feel over a longer night
We make at-home escape room games where ciphers, hidden patterns and pieces of lateral thinking move the story forward. Most of our boxes hold two parts. The puzzles don’t require cutting or writing on the materials, so you can keep the pieces intact and repack the game for a new player.
Blackbrim: 1876 includes printed clues to spread across the table as you follow Reager Skinner’s trail.
- Blackbrim: 1876 follows a criminal who has taken a town’s police force hostage. It plays with 1 to 6 people, is rated 14+, and takes 2 to 4+ hours across two parts.
- Down the Rabbit Hole is the one to consider if you want a lighter puzzle night. You’re finding a way out of Wonderland. It plays with 1 to 6 people, is rated 12+, and takes 1.5 to 3+ hours in one part, with 4.9 stars from 82 reviews.
If Box One left you wanting a longer night, see how Blackbrim: 1876 works. It carries 4.8 stars from 524 reviews.
Some of the puzzles, especially in part 2, were a little more challenging than other mystery games that we've played. There was just less hand-holding and explicit direction for how the puzzles work, so we really had to think creatively to make our way through the game.
Christopher K., verified review
How our games differ from Box Two
Box Two is worth considering alongside our games. The choice comes down to the format you’d like to spend time with.
Box Two uses online interaction as part of its experience. Our games center on printed clues, with an online companion guide for answers, hints and story content. Some puzzles also use the internet. Choose the format that sounds most enjoyable for your evening.
Choose Box Two if the appeal was theory11’s design of the box itself and the surprises it contains. That is a good reason to stay with the same publisher.
For a longer connected story, the Blackbrim Trilogy runs for 10+ hours across six parts and has 4.9 stars from 533 reviews. The full range of at-home escape room games lets you compare settings before choosing.
EXIT: The Game, for a standalone adventure
EXIT from Thames & Kosmos offers standalone escape room adventures with a difficulty rating on each box. The age range, player count and playtime vary by title, so compare those details before choosing.
Standard EXIT games use materials that you may need to fold, mark or cut. That lets a puzzle use the paper itself in unusual ways, but the game is sold as a single-use experience. If passing a finished box to a friend matters to you, check that point before buying.
PostCurious, for illustrated puzzle adventures
PostCurious is worth a look if you enjoy illustrated puzzle materials. In The Light in the Mist, a tarot deck tells a story through hidden messages, logic problems and word puzzles. The publisher describes it as a solo or small-group game with more than five hours of play.
Choose it if you like the idea of examining cards closely and returning to a longer puzzle adventure over several sessions.
If it was the mystery you liked
If you’d like to investigate a fictional crime next, browse Deadbolt Mystery Society and Unsolved Case Files. Both offer cases built around clues and evidence. Check the individual game’s playtime and player guidance, especially if you’ll be solving alone.
And if a Hunt A Killer case is what sent you looking in the first place, our guide to games like Hunt A Killer picks the three of our boxes that suit that player best.
How to pick, quickly
What did you want more of?
| What you wanted | Where to go next |
|---|---|
| Another game from theory11 | Box Two |
| A longer story with physical clues | Our Blackbrim: 1876 |
| A gentler game in our range | Our Down the Rabbit Hole |
| Many evenings, not one | Our Blackbrim Trilogy |
| To play it with people in the room | Any of ours, 1 to 6 players |
| Lots of games, one after another | EXIT: The Game |
| Illustrated puzzle materials | PostCurious |
| A fictional crime to investigate | Deadbolt or Unsolved Case Files |
Common questions
These details are useful when choosing what to play next.
How long does Box One take?
Reported playtimes for Box One range from about 45 minutes to two hours of active play. The game also includes a deliberate 24-hour pause, so allow for that when planning the evening.
Can you play Box One more than once?
The same player will know the answers on a second play. Nothing needs to be destroyed, and theory11 provides a reset video so another person can play. Follow the reset instructions and avoid writing on the materials you intend to pass along.
Do you need internet to play Box One?
Yes. Box One includes online elements, so plan to play somewhere with internet access. Our games also need internet for the companion guide and some puzzles.
Should I play Box One or Box Two first?
The stories are independent, so either order works. If you haven’t played either, Box One introduces the format; the linked reviews above can help you decide whether Box Two’s differences appeal to you.
Is Box One good for a family?
Box One is designed for one player. Before choosing it for a family, consider whether everyone will be happy sharing one person’s path through the game. Our Down the Rabbit Hole plays with 1 to 6 people and is rated 12+.
How long an evening should I expect from each of these?
Use the estimates as a guide and leave room for hints and breaks. Room Escape Artist reports about two to three hours for Box Two. Our two-part games take 2 to 4+ hours, and the Blackbrim Trilogy takes 10+ hours across six parts. PostCurious describes The Light in the Mist as more than five hours. For EXIT, check the individual title.
Check the linked product pages for current availability and the requirements of the game you choose.
