Prague, Aug 2023
These days Mind Maze has three separate locations; conveniently for visiting enthusiasts, the two TERPECA-nominated rooms are both at the same address. We played both, starting with Nautilus.
You’d guess from the name that Nautilus is a steampunk-style submarine game, and so it is, but that’s only part of the theming. In the best tradition of Victorian fantasy stories, this one starts you in comfortable civilisation, and takes you on a journey to adventure and back. Specifically, you need to travel to a certain place to demonstrate the effectiveness of an invention to scientifically measure magic.
Nautilus is also notable for the sheer quantity of luggage you need to take with you: in the intro we were provided with a suitcase with which to take items from one stage of the game to the next, and it was definitely needed.
Each stage was distinct in appearance and puzzle style. There’s plenty to do throughout, though where its sister game Galactic Pioneers hits you with a flood of puzzles, Nautilus takes you on a journey: it’s an expedition, one where you might be a dashing adventurer with a stovepipe hat and a magnificent moustache. With luscious decorations in brass, glass and wood, each part looks great and could almost be a Disney theme park experience.
I enjoyed the puzzles, but this is the easier of the two rooms at this location, and it’s a fun romp more than an intellectual workout. It is a great deal of fun though, hands-on and physical. This is the kind of room that’s best played while play-acting with wild enthusiasm (though actually that applies to Galactic Pioneers too).
Nautilus is a thoroughly enjoyable game from start to finish, and I have no hesitation in recommending it. A particular shout out too to one of the most delightful hint mechanisms I’ve seen in some time. 
