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

Désirée Eien
ByDésirée EienDec 9, 2017 | 4 comments

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

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 By Breakout Games 3

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 By Breakout Games 3

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 our Dispatch reviews and 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 By Breakout Games 3

This card lists the contents of the box. It's useful to make sure you have everything when the box arrives, but even more useful when you need to revisit past boxes to look for more clues.

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Ahh, another tabloid about the Van Kress family. Was the murder of Victoria Van Kress on her wedding night part of a curse? Or is there a more plausible – but perhaps more sinister – explanation? 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Lydia Van Kress is Victoria's young cousin who mysteriously disappeared. Looks like her ghost has been seen throwing toothpaste tubes at people! That's totally what I would do if I were a ghost. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Here are a couple of newspaper clippings about a fire in a hotel in Tokyo. It was owned by the Van Kress family, but is there any connection with Victoria? 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

This fan has a pattern of bamboo as well as some letters. I tried to make sense of them, but I couldn't figure it out. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

This photo of a Van Kress family friend seems a little random. Where and when was it taken?

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

This letter made me laugh: it looks like the fire was not covered by the owner's insurance policy. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

This letter gives some information about help after the fire. There was a phone number at the end, and when I called, there was a recorded message that revealed some useful information! 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

A handprint... Does it match any prints that I've seen before?

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Instructions for an origami crane, and lovely paper to go with it!

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Once the crane was folded, a number was revealed in the pattern underneath. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

This crossword puzzle was already filled out when I got it. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

The Sudoku puzzle was left undone, as well as this handwritten puzzle that looks like a URL. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

This envelope looks nothing like actual Japanese mail, but it's still intriguing. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

I wonder what these letters and numbers mean! No really – I wasn't able to figure out this part at all! This is the first box to leave me stumped, as there were several puzzles that I wasn't able to solve this time. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

The note inside is from a witness to the fire. 

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Here are some police reports that were printed in the newspaper.

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

These glossy black chopsticks arrived in a paper wrapper with a plum blossom design.

The best part about Dispatch is that you can contact the Bailey Detective Co. to get help. I always write whether or not I need help, but this time I felt truly lost. Here's what I wrote in a moment of discouragement:

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Here's the prompt response that I received:

Dispatch On The Run By Breakout Games 3

Hmm, a hint in box #2 that might help? I went back to look through everything, but so far I haven't had much luck.

Verdict: I wasn't successful in solving this month's mysteries, but I still had fun trying. There was a lot of entertainment value in this box. As always, the quality of the printed materials was high, and I like the inclusion of phone numbers and websites that make the story feel more real. Last month's box was about Mexico and this month's box was about Japan, so I'm wondering where the next box will take me. With the holidays coming up, I think this would be a fantastic gift for someone who's difficult to shop for and seems to have everything. 

I believe all new subscribers receive the first box so that the boxes can be opened in sequence, so you will not receive this exact box if you order now, but you will get it eventually. 

What do you think of the third installment of Dispatch?

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.

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4 comments

David

I think you use the Decoder key from Box 2 to unscramble the letters on the fan/chopsticks.

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David

Ps. The “I hope you’ve read all my favorite mystery novels” is talking about Sherlock Holmes novels. The abbreviations are referring to the title of the book and the numbers are Paragraph, Sentence, and Word.

Hope that helps!

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Michelle

Wow how fun.

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Ht

This seems amazing!

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