Neil Patrick Harris’s Box One and Box Two are solo player games from Theory11, also known for their gorgeous playing cards and jigsaw puzzles. Both are escape room type games, where the challenges build on each other until the quest is complete. I’ll review both of the games here, starting with Box One.
What’s in the box?
Theory11’s Neil Patrick Harris’s Box One comes in a beautiful box with a giant keyhole and Neil Patrick Harris himself peeping through at you. This is a hint of what’s to come, but we’ll get to that. Inside the box is a velvety insert that holds a deck of trivia cards, a small black envelope, a Box One notepad and a Box One pen, along with a welcome note. No matter what your usual game box habits, keep everything! You will need it all to solve the game.
How to play Theory11’s Box One:
Start with reading the welcome note. It gives you the instructions for beginning the game. EVERY step is important. Do not skip anything. As always, this review will be spoiler free, but I will give as many vague tips as I can, without actually revealing any answers. When the instructions lead you to start on the trivia cards, you’ll notice an interesting difference immediately. Usually cards are stored in their box face down. In Box One, the cards are face up. This is important and you must follow the directions on all of the cards exactly as they’re written.
TOP TIP: Use the pen and notepad to record your responses, but don’t be like me. Note the number of the card and its answer. Make notes of anything else that catches your eye, as well.
Once you’ve gotten through the cards, you get to the quest. Naughty NPH has trapped someone in the BOX ONE offices and you’ve got to help them get free. Of course, it won’t be as easy as opening a door or calling the cops. This is an escape room game, after all. You’ll have to solve puzzles, codes, and find all kinds of clues to help you complete the quest.
How to Win Neil Patrick Harris’s Box One
The concept is easy – complete the quest. It is deliciously challenging, though, so not easy at all. Your brain will love solving the puzzles. If you get stuck, though, there are help options. And be sure to examine everything you find. It’s all very important.
TOP TIP: Don’t be like me and mess up the Staff Chat. If you do, though, you can start it again on a different device and you’ll be fine. Be very careful what you’re typing!
What’s in the box?
Another gorgeous box opens to reveal a box within a box. The interior box contains a key and a key hole in yet another box. There are also slides and pictures and some very intriguing clues on the note to players. As with Box One, it is important to hold onto everything in the box, because you will likely need it later.
How to play Theory11’s Box Two
While Box Two is a solo player game, you are paired with a couple of different online players for certain portions of the game, so be sure to have your phone handy. You won’t be able to go forward without the second player, but it won’t be for long. And you don’t have to have played Box One first. Box Two is completely independent of Box One.
TOP TIP: The jigsaw puzzle is HARD! There are no flat edges, so you have to check every pip and blank. I solved it by putting two or three pieces together at a time, then fitting them together into larger and larger sections until I solved the jigsaw. It’s not large, but it is a serious challenge, as I should have expected.
How to Win Neil Patrick Harris’s Box Two:
Our quest in Box Two is to compete in an elite puzzle-solving competition. I was paired with two different online players and my second partner was the best! Very excited about the game and very encouraging, even when I made mistakes. They got me back on track and helped me as much as I hope I helped them. As with Box One, there is a dedicated website for help, which will guide you through without actually giving you the answers. When you complete this quest, and you will, you will know you accomplished this yourself. Plus, there’s bling at the end . . . if you can find it. (insert NPH’s evil laugh here)
Box One and Box Two by Theory11 and Neil Patrick Harris are solo player games for players 14 and up. Besides the incredible game boards and pieces, you will need a cell phone and/or computer, plus some random household objects (don’t worry – you have them). These are solo player games, but you could play them for date night or with your young adult, too. Both games take a couple of hours to complete, but Box One does have a 24-hour stopping time. These are great gifts for gamers and for your gaming friends who aren’t always able to get out for game night (I’m looking at you, single parents – you should have game night, too, even if it’s at home). Both games can be reset and gifted on, but I’m going to struggle giving up all those gorgeous game pieces.
I have just one message for my new BFF, NPH – Can’t wait for Box Three!!
TOP TIP: You can skip the 24-hour wait by changing the time on your device, but I wouldn’t. Get in the spirit of the game and stay there, if you can.
Buy theory11 Box ONE Board Game Presented by Neil Patrick Harris!
Buy theory11 Box TWO Board Game by Neil Patrick Harris!
٭٭٭٭٭Highly recommended
How do Box One and Box Two compare in terms of replayability and long-term value once the puzzles are completed, especially for solo players who enjoy revisiting games or sharing them with others?