The Poacher (Der Wilderer)
We’re enjoying the forest while collecting mushrooms, when a howl breaks the calm. A mass of eyes and fur are moving in the distance. Bolting in the opposite direction, we do not stop until we happen upon a small cabin. Though this doesn’t seem safe either.
Der Wilderer is a delightful collection of puzzles, of varying styles and difficulty. I’d say they are mostly on the hard side; newcomers will require many hints. Many classics appear, but there’s also a good degree of novelty. Except for a few physical puzzles, expect to stress your neurons for most of the room. I felt the room required a tad too much searching, but that may lie in our reduced team size.
We attempted to surmount this room as a team of two, pitting us firmly against the clock. The vast majority of puzzles were logical, with perhaps only a few association issues. Given another half hour we could have worked out almost everything, but I’d recommend a team of at least three. There’s plenty to do for everybody.
Entry to the cabin is through a rather tight veranda; a team of five or more will become very close friends here. The enclosure and door set the theme, providing an enticing cabin feel. Once inside, the decoration is suitable, though not overdone. The focus is clearly on puzzles with few unrelated distractions. All but a few pieces felt thematically appropriate, creating a woodsy cabin ambience.
Der Wilderer easily makes it into my recommendation list. The sheer variety of puzzles, and its quaint romantic charm, dominate its few rough spots. It’s a solid, and definitely challenging, room.
