Room 40

Released Jul 2019

Room 40 is a puzzle game about learning to decipher and decode secret messages. Learn to break various methods of encryption used throughout history. Starting with basic methods used in ancient Greece and the advancement of these methods all the way through to complex ciphers used in WWII.

75% positive · 105 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

Room 40 is a free-to-play puzzle game that launched on July 31, 2019. The store description presents a fixed, self-contained package: 16 standard puzzles and 4 bonus puzzles covering historical encryption methods, with no mention of planned updates, additional content, or ongoing development. The developer explicitly explains the game is free because it was released without the level of polish they typically aim for, and directs players to support their other title instead — language that frames this as a complete, finished product rather than a foundation for future updates. There are no news posts signaling any post-launch development activity, no DLC listings, and no announcements of upcoming content. The game launched as a finished product and has remained unchanged.

Evidence

Store description presents a fixed set of content (16 puzzles + 4 bonus), with the developer explaining the free price point is due to limited testing — framing the game as a complete, shipped product with no mention of future updates or additional content.

description · Jul 31, 2019 source development ending

high

No developer news posts exist for this game — no updates, patches, or announcements have been made since launch.

news post development ending

medium

Media

Details

Developer

Silhouette Valley Games

Publisher

Silhouette Valley Games

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Not rated

Players

Single-player

Free to Play Indie Puzzle 2D Female Protagonist Casual Cute

About this game

About the game

Room 40 is a puzzle game for PC about learning to decipher and decode secret messages. Learn to break various methods of encryption used throughout history. Starting with basic methods used in ancient Greece and the advancement of these methods all the way through to complex ciphers used in WWII.

You play as Amy, who has just graduated from college and is struggling to find a job. She comes across a mysterious letter containing a secret message. She responds to the letter and is enlisted in a government agency as a code breaker. Hidden away in an undisclosed location, Room 40, is where the code breakers reside—spending their days trying to uncover the meaning behind secret messages.

Features

16 unique and challenging secret messages to solve.
4 bonus secret messages to challenge the hardcore code breakers.
Included are analytical tools and techniques to use for revealing the true meaning of secret messages.
Learn about different types of secret messages and all the various forms they come in.
Become a master codebreaker one step at a time - It is not beyond anyone to figure out what a secret message says armed with the right knowledge and tools.

Why free?

I won’t be able to get as much user experience testing done as I would like. It won’t be as refined as my last game Future Proof. So I don’t feel like I can justify charging for the game. Bugs will be minimal and should've hopefully been all ironed out.
If you enjoy it, considering supporting our other game Future Proof or donate on our website.