Daily Archives: August 28, 2017

Photo-A-Day, Toys, Vlog

Review: Spy Code: Operation Escape Room by Yulu

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Operation Escape Room
Photo-A-Day #4520

We received a copy of the new game Spy Code Operation: Escape Room for free from Yulu to play with and review. Opinions are 100% our own.

escape rooms are popping up all over the place. Escape rooms have a series of challenges within that groups of people attempt to solve together. With Operation: Escape Room you and your kids can set up your own escape Room in your own home. With Operation: Escape Room you get a series of three challenges to complete. Each challenge requires a different set of skills: Dexterity, Problem Solving and a bit of Luck.

The objective: work together and complete three tasks in order to set the captured player free of the master belt before time runs out. First, choose a player to be captured. Place and lock the belt on the player and set the timer on the belt using the rotating dials. The game includes a series of three challenges, a Skill Challenge, Strategy Challenge and Luck Challenge.

The Skill Challenge requires players to wiggle a key out from the bottom of a cage using sticks. The Strategy Challenge uses cards divided into three levels of difficulty. Enter the card number into the device, solve the problem and then enter the answer into the same device. If the answer is correct, 1/3 rd of the key will come out. Players must solve three problems in a row in order to retrieve the key. If the answer is incorrect, the key will pop back into the device. In order to solve the final challenge, the Luck Challenge, players must insert the correct key into a device and spin it. They have three chances to find the key in the device. If players are unable to find the key, they must reset the spinner and start over.

You have to work quickly because there is a time limit to this challenge. This whole game can be modified to make it possible to allow children of various ages to work together. It is suggested that the timer be set for 60 seconds per challenge. The timer can be set for up to 999 seconds. When we first set up the game I set the timer for 300 seconds to give the kids some extra time. At first Eva was really put off by the game. The timer can be very distracting and nerve-wracking. It was a challenge for the kids to work together. They had a tough time at first but eventually they found a rhythm to work together. They kept at it for a wile and had a great time playing. The game is for ages 6+ and is available now at Target exclusively for $29.99. You can see more in the video below.

You can also find out more about Spycode Toys like Operation: Escape Room on their social channels.

Movie, Netflix Stream Team, Television

Oh Man, You Gotta Watch THIS on Netflix #StreamTeam

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Supershow For Everyone

Each month I write an article for the Netflix Stream Team in addition to some other Netflix promotions. I am compensated for my posts on a yearly basis and I often receive fun little care packages every couple months. Opinions on the Netflix shows available are my own.

Last weekend I watched Marvel’s The Defenders on Netflix. This was an eight episode mini-series that was the culmination of the first round of the four Marvel shows on Netflix: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. The four main heroes came together to fight a foe. They did work together, albeit begrudgingly. It never took anything to convince me to watch a Marvel show on Netflix. I’m a fan through and through and will consume everything Marvel that is produced. However, not everyone comes to these shows immediately and some people need convincing. If you take a look at the graphic above you can see a little bit how some people end up finding and watching the four main Marvel shows.

One of the easiest shows to access is Luke Cage. The thing is, you might want to watch Daredevil and Jessica Jones first because they came before. But if you want a nice soft intro to the super hero show that is grounded in reality then Luke Cage is the show to start with. It is a story about a man who is just trying to do the right thing, keep his head down and stay out of trouble. the thing is, he has extraordinary powers and finds a responsibility to the people of his community to use those powers to protect those people. I don’t quite agree with the assessment of shows that Netflix assigns to gateways to Luke Cage. I would say shows like Longmire and Hell on Wheels would be excellent gateway shows to Luke Cage. In Hell on Wheels you have a man who is trying to put his past behind him but he has certain skills that make him formidable and he has to step up to protect those that he loves.

For Daredevil you might want to look at Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes. Both are about a man who loses his sight but develops almost superhuman abilities through training. There is also the anti-hero theme around Daredevil and that is something that you certainly get through House of Cards and Dexter. But, there is also the martial arts aspect and the fighting that occurs. If you like those sorts of things then Daredevil will be a good one for you.

I am constantly watching new shows on Netflix. I often get to watch shows before anyone else and see if I like them or not. In past months I was about to see early screeners of Friends From College and the recently released Atypical. Friends From College was okay, but Atypical was a standout and I wanted more people to watch it. I convinced Allison to watch it and got to watch the last episode with her and she definitely wanted more once it was over. Certain shows are like that. they hook you right in and you want to live along with the stories of each character. Continue reading Oh Man, You Gotta Watch THIS on Netflix #StreamTeam →