Jane DoeEscape CoalvilleEscape roomIRLIt’s always interesting when you play an Escape Room and it’s not actually a room, having played escape games in a prison van this then attracted some interest. Its also worth noting, you don’t have to escape as such, this is a logic deduction puzzle that you can only solve when you’ve soled the other puzzles around. It’s also worth noting that you only get one chance to correctly identify the solution or its an insta-fail. Gameplay is relatively linear Fromm puzzle to puzzle but some of the puzzles can be oblique in nature and not overly well sign posted as to what you have to do to progress. There are some good ideas here in a potentially interesting environment but I think the game as it stands lets it down.
ShackledEscape Rooms King's LynnEscape roomIRL𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿This review contains spoilers.Unscramble𓀗
Time TravelEscape Rooms King's LynnEscape roomIRLIt always nice to see a concept that is different to the norm and this certainly qualifies. This is effectively 3 escape rooms in 1 giant room with a central plot to tie it all together. The idea is you have a large group (6-12) and you can move between each room. We tackled this as a party of 3 and we completed in just under 2 hours, we each took on a room and when one of us got stuck we would change rooms and move to help each other and so on. At its maximum it would be tight to have more than 2-3 people in each of the rooms (particularly one as there is a lot of stuff to move round) and each room is actually trickier than they initially look (I’d say the Wild West room being the hardest of the three). There’s a lot of puzzles and it’s worth booking the double slots to try and do all of it as a smaller team. Our clues were once again delivered by a tablet and our GM, Linda, clued us effectively and at just the right time.
Murder On Norfolk StEscape Rooms King's LynnEscape roomIRLSome Escape games don’t feature you ‘escaping’ per se but rather uncovering a solution via a series of puzzles. Here you are trying to track down a murderer from piecing together various pieces of evidence. Fairly routine and by the numbers game but still implemented well and there is clear passion for the hobby from the owners. Clues were delivered on a tablet and Linda (our GM) did a fantastic job from briefing to nudging us just we needed to.
PandemicEscape Rooms King's LynnEscape roomIRLAh, the old science test. Whether you are Guinea pigs in an unwitting experiment or trying to leave somewhere, solving a plethora of tests like this (and even the set design to a degree) reminded me of other games but in a good way. You have to solve a series of puzzles to find your escape. The design was functional and fine and some of the puzzles contained spins on old favourite. Our GM was Linda who once again ran the game with precision. This was a fun diversion and worth a visit.
The Cage - CLOSEDChesterfield Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLThe sequel to “The Governor” but it doesn’t really carry the story forward. Advisory, you do start handcuffed but this is one of the more interesting situations that I’ve found myself in. You also do have a live actor in there with you as well. We failed to escape as we degenerated into hysterics (we played this right at the end of a long weekend of escaping) and there some tough puzzles here and it was mostly search fails that cost us the win (although we were at the second to last puzzle when the timer expired). We had a good time here and I feel it’s one of the better games at the venue. Our GM was Robyn who (as well as hosting us on other games) was excellent throughout.
Cabin In The Woods Escape RoomStuck in the RiddleEscape roomIRLAnother cabin in the woods, another serial killer. What stands this one out is the great theming of the play space. Puzzles are mixed and there is some crawling for at least one person. There is some actor engagement but this can be tailored to groups desired scare levels.
Murder Mystery Escape RoomStuck in the RiddleEscape roomIRLVery much a cluedo style game but with a fun play value to it. You have to work out who did it, with what and where in order to escape. Good flow with some clever puzzles to it.
Avast! - A Pirate's SecretEscapable - Thornes Lane WharfEscape roomIRLHow much of the pirates treasure can you steal in 60 minutes? This is another game where the aim is both to escape but how much treasure can you steal as well. Well themed room with some great puzzles that range in difficulty.
The Cape Escape RoomStuck in the RiddleEscape roomIRLA superhero’s life is never a dull one! This is a great fun game that had us in stitches at various points (and I’m sure the GM as well!). Lighthearted with a lot of comedic elements.
Mr Copplestone's Curiosity ShoppeEscape Quest United KingdomEscape roomIRLThe idea of puzzle rests has grown considerably with “Daylight Robbery” at Cryptology and “UI-55”| at Compendium. This is a similar idea where you have a considerable number of puzzles to solve in order to find time crystals. The setting is amazing and reminiscent of “Loot the Lanes”, the more crystals you find then other shops open up to you. Not all shops will as the overall game will change every so often almost guaranteeing repeat visits (I know I will). A massive range of puzzles from obvious searches to cunning logic puzzles, audio driven ones and observational.
TreasonLucardo RawtenstallEscape roomIRLThe latest from Lucardo did not disappoint and is once again a lot of fun to play incorporating some great dramatic and theatrical moments (that key eh?). The game is set around Guy Fawkes as he tries to blow up parliament and incorporates you into the plot. Whilst possibly not historically accurate this is a fun game with a lot going for it.
Test Chamber - CLOSEDExit Door Escape RoomEscape roomIRLOne of the best split starts I’ve played for a long while then opens up into an interesting game and story. Some very innovative puzzles are balanced out by some tricky physical ones that could prove frustrating. Similarly there is a lot of searching to do that could trip you up. Even though we failed to escape we had a great time here and this is definitely one venue I will be keeping an eye on.
Devil's GateAdrenaline Escape - Wigan Cotton WorksEscape roomIRLA game set in a cargo container will have a restricted play area to start with but Adrenaline have crafted a fun game here with a nice flow to it. Puzzles are relatively straight forward with a lot of padlocks but it’s got a good flow to it.
The Grand HeistThe Escape Room GuysEscape roomIRLBank Heists are not a new theme, but rarely have I enjoyed one as much as this. This is a delightful game that plays incredibly smoothly and with a range of puzzles. The first part is a relatively normal linear game but the game changes and becomes a puzzle fest of how much can you steal. Theming is simple but effective, puzzles vary in difficulty (I would argue even one of the decryption tools is a puzzle!). Nothing here will probably surprise you but this is a great game for both beginner and experienced player. Our GM was Adam who expertly nudged back on course and was great throughout. As others have said, this feels a but like an undiscovered gem when compared to its more well known games in Derby but it well worth a visit, we had a great time.
A Rough TradeThe Escape Room GuysEscape roomIRLLike all of the other rooms at the venue, decoration is sparse but effective, this game starts with a lot of searching including one type of hiding place I have never encountered before! Your task is to find and retrieve 5 diamonds before the Mr Big comes back (he should be away for 60 minutes conveniently enough). Progress is mostly linear in nature but that’s not to say there are some clever puzzles along the way. Once again an incredibly fun way to spend an hour whether you are a beginner or an experienced player. Our GM was Adam who expertly nudged back on course and was great throughout.
ContagionThe Escape Room GuysEscape roomIRLFinding antidotes for plagues seems incredibly prescient in 2022. You are charged with finding 5 canisters and getting out within 60 minutes. The room is initially plainly decorated but features some clever and unexpected reveals (one panel I was convinced was fake wasn’t!). Gameplay is mostly linear and one puzzle tends to lead to another (but be mindful of your surroundings). Our GM was Adam who expertly nudged back on course and was great throughout.
Pirate ShipExtremescapeEscape roomIRLI’ve always had a soft spot for a good pirate room, and this is a good pirate room! This is the oldest room at this venue but I found it hard to tell. The overall puzzle design may feel a little dated (nothing here will probably surprise you but old ideas still have the power to surprise) but they flow well and will test your overall puzzling skills. The theming and scenery is first rate and all puzzles are on theme.
VikingExtremescapeEscape roomIRLWow. Quite simply one of the best rooms I have ever played, from theming to puzzle design to reveals. The space may be limited but everything is so cleverly done and you can see the thought that has gone into it. The story is coupled with some brilliant atmospheric events and has more than a trace of humour and at time moments of sheer magic. I’d love to say more but its one of the few rooms I wish I could forget all about it and just go and play it again.
Lost TombExtremescapeEscape roomIRLOnce again terrific theming and solid puzzle design (with some incredible physical effects) create an incredible game. The puzzle flow is mostly non-linear in nature and will test your searching, observation and deduction skills. I think the puzzles in the second half let the room down slightly but it’s still of a high standard and still very much worth your time.
