The best Kosmos EXIT games for all difficulty levels (2025)
Photo by KOSMOS
About the EXIT game series from Kosmos
The EXIT - The Game series from Kosmos is an award-winning series of cooperative puzzle games that brings the live escape room feeling into the living room. Each box is aimed at 1 to 4 players and offers a playing time of around 45 to 90 minutes in which the aim is to escape from a (fictitious) situation or room using logic puzzles, codes and combinatorial tasks.
The games are based on the concept by Ralph Querfurth and Sandra Dochtermann and were realized by Inka and Markus Brand for Kosmos. The first wave was published in 2016, followed by numerous other titles; the first three editions were nominated for the Kennerspiel des Jahres award in May 2017.
The series is divided into four difficulty levels (kids, beginners, advanced, pros) and now includes over 20 individual scenarios. In addition to the core games, there are themed special editions (e.g. in cooperation with "Die drei ???") and licensed spin-offs for younger players or special target groups. The playing time and scope of the material vary depending on the edition, with typical settings ranging from Egyptian burial chambers to deserted islands and spooky ghost trains.
We have looked at the best and most popular EXIT games for all age groups and give you our recommendations here.
Kids: Puzzle fun in the jungle (KOSMOS 683375)
A cooperative puzzle game for children that transfers the escape room fun to the jungle in a child-friendly way. Without having to read, players solve a variety of picture puzzles using a symbol decoding disk. The mixture of logic, observation and teamwork playfully encourages concentration and the ability to combine, time and time again, as the material remains intact.
Why we like this game:
- Child-friendly puzzles: simple, visual tasks with no reading skills required
- High replay value: material remains intact, puzzle combinations vary
- Short playing time: ideal for short attention spans (approx. 20 minutes)
- Promotes teamwork: cooperative play with family or siblings
- Varied puzzle types: e.g. recognizing shadows, matching animals, finding differences
- Motivating game structure: Progress can be experienced through correctly solved tasks
- Loving design: colorful jungle theme with animals immediately appeals to children
- Intuitive operation: simple decoding disk with symbols instead of numbers
Beginner: The sunken treasure (KOSMOS 694050)
The sunken treasure is a suitable game for EXIT newcomers and families with little escape experience. Short, thematically coherent and easy to understand. However, if you already have experience with the EXIT series or are looking for more challenging puzzles, you should go for the advanced game.
Why we like this game:
- Beginner level: ideal for new EXIT players, easy puzzles in a maritime scenario
- Exciting theme: dive into a sunken shipwreck to recover the treasure
- Gameplay: classic EXIT principle with decoder disk, puzzle, solution and help cards, destruction/damage not required
- Short game duration: typically completed in under 30 minutes, so quite short
- Well explained: clear tutorial, gentle introduction
Advanced: The Legacy of the World Traveler (KOSMOS 682828)
A coherent and well thought-out escape puzzle experience in an expedition atmosphere, ideal for experienced EXIT players and escape room fans. The diverse puzzles, thematic details and the optional app offer a well-rounded package for an intense gaming experience. However, the disposable nature of the game is an important point for groups who want to play the game several times or pass it on.
Which is why we like this game:
- Game level: advanced (ages 12+), for 1-4 players, playing time 45-90 min.
- Theme: You decipher the mystery legacy of archaeologist Professor Ian Jonasson and travel to places from all over the world (world map, postcards, posters, letters, balloons, etc.)
- App support: Optional tutorial and timer via free Kosmos explanation app
- Cooperative experience: Ideal for groups - promotes teamwork, creativity and combination skills
- Atmospheric & thematic: World travel setting with visual and haptic elements immerses players
- Varied structure: Mixture of logical puzzles and unusual tasks has an exciting effect
Professional: The Dead Man on the Orient Express (KOSMOS 694029)
EXIT - The Dead Man on the Orient Express combines suspense, innovative puzzle mechanics and good storytelling without slipping into frustrating puzzles. You find yourself in the middle of a murder mystery on the famous Orient Express. Your task: identify the culprit before the train reaches its destination. Ideal for experienced escape players who are looking for demanding but fair challenges.
Why we like this game:
- Difficulty level: Expert (4/5), but not overwhelmingly difficult, well balanced between challenge and fun
- Story: A successful combination of escape room style and classic thriller
- Structured puzzle mechanics: Several parallel puzzle strands provide dynamism. Players can split up and team play is encouraged.
- High puzzle quality: Versatile, imaginative and fair puzzles
* Links marked with an asterisk are affiliate links. We receive a commission from the online store when purchases are made via partner links.
The copyright of the product photos and the article image is owned by KOSMOS.