Facebook PixelDispatch: On The Run by Breakout Games Review + Coupon - August 2017 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Dispatch: On The Run by Breakout Games Review + Coupon – August 2017

Désirée Eien
ByDésirée EienSep 1, 2017 | 6 comments

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

Dispatch by Breakout Games
5 overall rating
3 Ratings | 0 Reviews

Dispatch is a monthly "subscription-based mystery" from Breakout Games that "tests your detective skills each month with a new delivery of clues."

This is a review of the first series called On The Run:

"Murder, romance, scandal—this story has it all. Once you open your delivery, you'll find yourself entangled in the strange disappearance of your closest childhood friend, who also happens to be suspected of killing his wife, a well-known heiress. With the aid of physical clues and details embedded online, you'll follow each thread to deduce what is fact, what is fiction—and finally the truth—in this new experience from the creators of Breakout escape rooms."

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

The Subscription Box: Dispatch

The Cost: $24.99 per month; shipping is free. 

ACTIVE DEAL: Save $10 off your first box!
CODE: dispatchsignup10

The Products: Physical clues to help solve a mystery. 

Ships to: USA

Check out all of the Geek + Nerd Subscription Box Directory for more mystery and crime-themed boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

I've never tried a mystery story subscription like this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was reassured to see this welcome card that introduces the story. 

Note: I will show all items in the box, but I am purposely leaving out some of the information I discovered. I don't want to spoil the surprise completely!

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

The back of the card contains a checklist for all the items in the box. I didn't tick the boxes, but everything was present. 

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

First clues: a couple of folded magazine covers. Just the covers – I guess I never will learn those yoga tips from page 32. 

So here's the situation: Your best friend (James Smith) is suspected of strangling his wife (Victoria Van Kress) in their honeymoon suite in Maui. Since Victoria was heiress to the Van Kress family mining fortune, the story is all over the tabloids. Now James has vanished and no one has any idea where to find him.

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

The next item came in this lovely envelope marked 'V + J' for 'Victoria + James'. (See, I figured that part out – I'm off to a good start!)

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

It's the invitation to their wedding, decorated with fancy metallic leaves. The invitation includes a RSVP card with a code to access content on the wedding website.

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

Here we have the program from the wedding, which took place at the Royal Club in the fancy White Towers Hotel in Breakout City. 

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

Hey, whose fingerprint is that?

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

The inside of the program introduces Victoria's family and friends. Note the inclusion of 'Lydia Van Kress, beloved cousin, wherever you are.' It turns out that Lydia ran away from home and was never seen again, prompting Victoria to found a charity for runaways called For the Love of Lydia. 

This long messy letter is the wedding toast you gave at the reception. You talked about your long friendship with James and his childhood love of Sherlock Holmes. It mentions how the two of you would use 'those junior detective kits that they used to sell and you covered everything with that black powder looking for fingerprints.' 

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

Here's your journal, with a printed cover that looks like stitched leather – but what's that sticking out of it?

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

And what does this symbol mean on the back? Kind of looks like a map, doesn't it?

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

Newspaper clippings were stuck inside. This one has a link circled for Victoria's Instagram account. She was on Twitter too! Here's her profile:

"Founder of For Love of Lydia charity. On the board of Copper Kress Mining. Proud member of the Van Kress family."

If you follow the online clues, you'll discover that there was a deadly accident at one of the copper mines. As a member of the board, what did Victoria know about it?

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

Another newspaper clipping, and the last communication you received from James, written on a cocktail napkin. (If I lived in Hawaii, I'd leave this at a bar somewhere just to confuse people.) 

The 29-page journal goes through the history of James's relationship with Victoria and his increasingly erratic behavior since he started working for the Van Kress family. There was something James had resolved to tell Victoria the day of the wedding, something he knew that she would not like – but what was it? 

And isn't the underlined part of the napkin's message strange? 'Don't try to fine me. Calm' – don't try to find me calm? Is 'calm' some clue to his location? 

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

The journal also contained this business card for Bailey Detective Co.

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

'Please contact me if you need any help' –  well, ok. I visited the website and there was a form to fill out... 

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

I will admit that this is entirely made up and none of these specific details were mentioned in the materials. My expectation was that I'd fill out the form and that no matter what I wrote, I'd get some kind of form letter from the detective, which might have a clue...

Dispatch On the Run 1 August 2017 Crime Mystery Subscription Box

So imagine my surprise when I got a personal response! I think this is a great way for them to help you with the mystery without breaking the feel of the story. Also, I love that somebody's real-life job involves working for a fictional detective agency.

Verdict: I've enjoyed this first box from Dispatch. I liked the combination of physical and online clues, and I look forward to getting more help from Detective Bailey. I haven't solved the mystery yet, but I never felt confused at any point because the information all ties together and leads you along to further clues. This would be fun to solve with a friend, although the time it takes to read the long journal could put a damper on momentum if you have several people working on it at the same time. I do think it would make a fun gift for a family who enjoys murder mysteries – there weren't any gory details, at least thus far, so I think most families with older kids would find it appropriate. 

Dispatch says that each series will last less than a year. If, for example, the story lasts six months, that would cost $150 in the end. It could be a challenge for them to ensure that the mystery stays fresh and exciting over the months so that the entertainment value justifies the expense. However, they're off to a good start and I'm curious to see how the story unfolds.

What do you think of this first installment of Dispatch? What do you think James told Victoria at the wedding?

Starting at $24.99
Active Deal
Save $10 off your first box!
Use Coupon Code dispatchsignup10
Subscribe Now
Imagine a new kind of escape, one you can experience in the comfort of your own home - introducing Dispatch by Breakout. It's a step apart from everyday entertainment—better than a book, more engaging than television—think of it as an immersive mystery where you wear the detective hat. The story ... read more.
Désirée Eien
Désirée Eien
Désirée has survived the subscription box rollercoaster since 2013. Her other hobbies include meticulously over-researching minor purchases, crafting things she hopes to pass off as gifts, and dressing her cat up in silly costumes.

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

6 comments

Kay

I have received the first box and I agree that it is pretty terrific. The only I had was that I initially did not receive any reply from the detective agency. That was disappointing. But after some intervention from the folks at Breakout, I finally got a response. I just hope that the bugs for that feature of the experience are worked out. That was one of my favorite parts.

Reply ButtonReply

Ashley

This looks like so much fun! If it was a little cheaper I’d jump on this.
Thanks for this awesome review. Please keep reviewing this box!

Reply ButtonReply

Colin

They have a 50% off promo on their website now!

Reply ButtonReply

Kay

really? What about those of us who signed up already ???

Courtney

So excited to see this box up on your site! I work for this company, Breakout games (escape rooms) and the people behind this box are incredible! I have no doubt that the story line will keep subscribers engaged for a while 🙂
Thanks for reviewing the box, I am excited to see where it goes!

Reply ButtonReply

Wendy

Love this concept and participation that it encourages. Will keep an eye on it!

Reply ButtonReply