"Fast Forward: FLEE" Review
An innovative cooperative puzzle game that can be experienced without a rulebook

The moment you open the box, you'll be surprised. There's no rulebook, just a stack of 90 cards. This is the striking first impression that Fast Forward: FLEE makes.

This game uses an innovative system that allows players to "learn the rules as they play," inviting players into an unknown adventure.
Set in the world of Alice in Wonderland , this cooperative puzzle game lets you control four characters and escape from monsters. It offers a completely new experience that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional board games.

In this article, we'll thoroughly analyze the unique appeal of Fast Forward: FLEE and what you need to know before playing. We'll also provide you with the information you need to decide whether this game will be your "one and only" experience.

Game Basics

First, let's start with the basic specs that will serve as a guide for playing.

At the core of Fast Forward: FLEE is a tense mechanic in which four characters each have their own play area, with one of them always facing a Death-like monster card.
If a character holding a monster finds themselves in a situation where they have to take a turn...that moment, the team will lose.

Players must constantly avoid catastrophic moments by using their hands to rearrange turn order, skillfully move cards, and push monsters elsewhere.
The story is made up of three chapters , and the player's ultimate goal is to successfully complete all three chapters.

The appeal of FLEE: A supreme experience brought about by innovation and challenges

We will delve into four unique charms of this game that are not found in traditional board games.

1. A "discovery-based game experience" that doesn't require a rulebook

The true strength of the Fast Forward series is that it is meticulously designed so that players can learn the rules as they play.
As you progress through the deck, new rules are added and the game evolves.

When you draw a new type of card, the rules will immediately appear on the next card, allowing you to use its power without hesitation.
There's no need to "read the rules first and then teach them to someone else," and everyone can enjoy the pleasure of simultaneously sharing the process of "discovery → understanding → practice." There's an intellectual excitement to it, like solving a puzzle.

2. Exquisite balance of difficulty and extreme suspense

This is an extremely challenging puzzle.
Our team suffered two defeats in the early stages and one defeat in the middle stages. Even for an experienced team, it's probably difficult to achieve a perfect victory on the first playthrough. However, this "challenge" is precisely what makes the game so appealing.

It's not an overly stressful game, but there's always a pleasant sense of suspense.
Although the objective is clear - "Do not give the turn to anyone with a monster" - the optimal solution to victory is not clear, and it is impossible to predict what card will be turned over next.
This information asymmetry draws players in until the very last card.

3. Cooperative puzzles reminiscent of escape rooms

Flee is a stunning homage to the escape room genre by the genius Friedemann Friese.
Players must always think several moves ahead and consider how their decisions will affect future situations.

Even in a hopeless situation where you think "I'm 99% sure I'm going to lose," if you rack your brains, you'll always find a solution... This "hope in the midst of despair" design, which is a feature of great puzzle games, makes the sense of accomplishment you get when you escape a difficult situation irreplaceable.

4. Fantastic visuals and high-quality components

The visual satisfaction is also noteworthy, with the vibrant green color that permeates the entire game giving it a unique beauty.
The Alice in Wonderland -themed illustrations don't directly affect the game system, but they add a whimsical and fantastical atmosphere to the work.

The large cards feel great in your hand, and combined with the attractive artwork, they are of such high quality that they will satisfy your desire to own them.

Recommended for these people and occasions

Fast Forward: FLEE is a groundbreaking game that completely redefines what board games can be.
The system, which eliminates the need to read the rules and allows you to instantly dive into the depths of the story, is truly a puzzle-solving adventure.

This quirky little masterpiece will get your brain working and provide you with many unforgettable moments of surprise, and is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who loves puzzles.