Unpacking LIFE: A Puzzle walkthrough

Earlier April 2025, a puzzle called LIFE went live on Retro13. Disguised as a Table of Contents page from a vintage issue of Life magazine, this multi-layered puzzle was packed with historical and literary references, date-driven indexing, and a clever final twist. The challenge: uncover a hidden name, the so-called “Quintessence,” and submit it for the $50 prize.

Sean Cronin was the first to piece together all three stages—Map, Compass, and Coin—and correctly submit the full solution. Let’s break down how this hunt was designed and how it was solved.