Abduction: The Exam

Abduction helpfully number their games, and so The Exam is Abduction 3; this does not mean that it’s a sequel or that you need to have played its predecessors, and it has nothing to do with an abduction. The premise is instead, very simply, a test of your physical and mental abilities.

I like narrative-based games; I love the immersion created when all elements have been designed to create a seamless story with you as the central character. But by dispensing with story altogether, The Exam revels in complete freedom to include whatever puzzles and tasks it likes, and the result is so glorious that I cared not a bit about the lack of a narrative.

Where they say that you’ll be tested physically and mentally, they mean it: this is a game that expects physical participation. One stage in particular allows each player to deal with it in their preferred way with a range of difficulty levels, meaning that (hopefully) all the players are challenged to an appropriate degree; and the exertion translated to extra adrenaline and satisfaction. (We had a team of four; unlike many tasks, sections of The Exam may be harder not easier the more people you have.)

It’s clever, it’s inventive, it’s original and it’s consistently fun. I can’t put my finger on any single reason for it, but I thought it had a playful feeling, and a sense that it demanded ingenuity more than logic. In contrast to the ominous-sounding name of the company and the creepy-looking game artwork, it also has a definite sense of humour.

Different games have different strengths and weaknesses. Where The Exam excels is for sheer, raw enjoyment and satisfaction – don’t miss it.