Society of Curiosities

What's in the box: A package of themed artifacts, documents and clues that kick off a mystery you continue through websites, text messages and online research.

Society of Curiosities makes mail-order mystery games that combine physical props with online play. A game arrives as a package of artifacts and documents, and it does not stay inside the box. It sends you to hidden websites, has you text with characters, and asks you to do research that blurs the line between fiction and reality. The featured title, Madok's Lost Treasure, is listed at $49 for 1 to 4 players aged 14 and up, with an estimated play time of 2 to 3 hours. The site calls it its most popular game. The company also runs a physical escape room and an overnight mystery experience at a Victorian B&B, which suggests a team that takes immersive design seriously. Buyers should note that the homepage sells games as individual titles rather than as a clear recurring monthly plan. A Cancel link in the footer hints that some ongoing option exists, so check the current terms before ordering. The heavy use of phones, browsers and live interaction is the main draw, but it also means you need internet access and a willingness to go beyond the paper clues. For groups who enjoy story-driven puzzles with lots of research, this is one of the more ambitious options in the category.