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Unlock!: Escape Adventures

2-6 players 45-75 min 7.3 Board Game Geek Rating

Unlock! is a cooperative card-based escape room game where players search scenes, combine objects, and solve puzzles using cards plus a companion app. Three included scenarios challenge teams to complete missions—recovering a secret formula, stopping an evil professor, or escaping a trapped island—within one hour to win.

Published 2017

Unlock!: Escape Adventures

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Choose the introductory adventure first
Play the tutorial adventure before others as it explains the rules during gameplay
2
Place the starting card
Put the starting card (with the adventure title) text-side up in the center of the table
3
Prepare the deck
Keep the remaining cards in a face-down deck
4
Launch the companion app
Start the application (see Application section), select the tutorial adventure, and place the device where all players can access it
5
Verify the deck
Check the unique number on the back of each card to confirm the deck is complete before starting
6
Read aloud and begin
One player reads the starting card text aloud, then start the timer in the app and flip the starting card to reveal the first room
7
Optional note-taking
Use paper and pencil during the game for notes if desired

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Reveal cards from the room
When you see a number or letter on a room card, find the matching card in the deck and flip it face-up on the table for everyone to see
2
Identify card types by color strip
Objects have red or blue strips, machines have green strips, codes have yellow strips, and grey strips indicate locations, results, or penalties
3
Combine objects using the golden rule
Add a red number to a blue number only, then search for the result card in the deck
4
Discard used cards
When cards show crossed-out numbers/letters at the top, discard those cards immediately as they are no longer needed
5
Use machines in the app
Enter the machine's card number into the app to interact with it and receive a red number result to combine with blue numbers
6
Enter codes in the app
For yellow-strip cards, enter the 4-digit code into the app to unlock doors or progress
7
Apply modifiers to combinations
Blue numbers with a + sign on puzzle pieces are modifiers that add to red numbers instead of the card's own number
8
Search for hidden objects
Examine cards carefully for hidden numbers or letters that refer to other cards in the deck
9
Request hints from the app
Press the Hint button and enter the card number you need help with
10
Accept penalties when revealed
When you flip a penalty card, follow its instructions (usually losing time), then discard it
11
Work as a team
Collaborate and communicate about card text, but do not spread cards across the table

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Complete the adventure before time expires
Finish all objectives and stop the timer to end the game successfully
2
Continue playing past zero
The game does not end when the timer reaches 00:00, but your final score will be reduced
3
Review your results
After completing the adventure, view your score breakdown showing total time, penalty time lost, and wrong code time lost
4
Receive a star rating
Earn between 0 and 5 stars based on time used and hints requested
5
Aim for the best score
Complete the adventure quickly with minimal hints and penalties for maximum stars

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

[Korean] How to play Unlock

[Korean] How to play Unlock

Instructional

Lär dig spela Unlock!

Lär dig spela Unlock!

Instructional

MORE VIDEOS

FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

PDF RULEBOOK

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