Mother of Frankenstein: Volume One
Official Description:
Mother of Frankenstein is a narrative puzzle game based on the life of Mary Shelley. It is a collaborative experience featuring 12-18 hours of gameplay divided between three volumes.
In Volume 1, you'll engage with Mary's education in the fields of poetry, music, and astronomy and track her courtship with Percy Shelley, constructing a series of elaborate spinning rings you'll use to solve a set of ingenious riddles and puzzles.
Inspired (but not entirely beholden to) the incredible real life of Mary Shelley, Mother of Frankenstein is a 10-15 hour experience for 1-6 players (ages 13 and up), designed by Terry Pettigrew-Rolapp and Tommy Wallach of Hatch Escapes, creators of LA Magazine's top-ranked escape room, Lab Rat.
Mother of Frankenstein challenges you to solve a series of puzzles in order to learn the truth behind Shelley's infamous monster. While challenging enough for serious puzzlers, it also features a rich, emotional narrative composed by New York Times bestselling YA novelist Tommy Wallach, which will have you and your loved ones feeling all the feelings.
The game is divided up into three acts, each of which contains a trove of documents and puzzles, all of them beautifully crafted and cunningly designed--ostensibly by Mary Shelley herself--in order to reveal a great secret she left to her only surviving child. A bonus edition also includes a full copy of the 1818 edition of Frankenstein with additional puzzles from Emerald Flame creator Rita Orlov (PostCurious).
Over the course of the game, you'll also build a 500 piece 2D puzzle and a 350 piece 3D puzzle, ending up with a gorgeous recreation of Frankenstein's castle you can keep forever!
Simply put, there's never before been a game like Mother of Frankenstein.
As a narrative puzzle experience rooted in the literary legacy of Mary Shelley, Mother of Frankenstein: Volume One stands out for its ambitious structure—three distinct challenge sets, each echoing a different facet of Mary’s intellectual world. The design leans heavily into its thematic lineage, blending historical fiction with tactile investigation and collaborative deduction. For a collection with nearly two decades of table management behind it, this title offers consistent mechanical performance and a reliable secondary option for groups seeking a substantial, story-driven session. Its 🏆 Complete status is earned: the game delivers a full, self-contained arc, making it a strong candidate for groups wanting a memorable, one-off event with lasting shelf presence.
From a logistics standpoint, Mother of Frankenstein: Volume One is a main event—expect a significant setup and teardown, with premium components and a box that commands table space for hours. The production values are high, though the repeated cover art is a minor quirk in an otherwise striking package. With a session time clocking in at around 900 minutes, this is not a casual filler; it’s best reserved for dedicated puzzle nights or as a centerpiece for a weekend gathering. The physical management of documents, puzzles, and elaborate spinning rings requires a host who’s comfortable with extended play and component oversight.
Teaching this game is refreshingly approachable despite its scope. The collaborative structure and light learning curve mean most groups will find their footing quickly, with the system allowing the facilitator to step back after the initial orientation. The mental friction here is moderate: players are challenged to synthesize narrative clues and puzzle logic, building a skill dividend in lateral thinking and group communication. The pure collaborative dynamic keeps the room engaged and invested, though occasional obscure puzzle leaps can momentarily stall momentum. Overall, it’s a rewarding experience for hosts who value shared discovery and narrative immersion.
Category
Thematic & Narrative
My score
7
Our Total Plays
3
Last PLayed
12 Sep 23
🏆 Complete
Player Count
1-6
Playtime
900 mins
Proficiency Perks
Systems & Logic
Check Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
