The Extraction

Thematically, this room is all over the place, it’s a British retro-spy mission with an unexpected sci-fi twist. Not my personal favorite pairing of themes, but the quality of the puzzles made up for it. I liked a low-key math/logic puzzle in the 2nd room (we actually needed a nudge for that one). Also, a multi-layered puzzle involving rings in the 3rd room was really impressive…I’m normally not into video screens in an escape room, but they fit the theme of the room. This was one of my favorite puzzles out of the 4 rooms we played at Crypto…I want more puzzles like this! Decor fits the theme really well, and the transitions between a couple of the rooms are pretty cool, especially between the 2nd and 3rd rooms. We played as a group of 3 enthusiasts, I’d say that was a perfect number.

Rating: 4/5 - Retro, high tech spy theme with an interesting twist Pros: ➕Great looking set, fully custom built, even the ceiling was decorated (unlike some of their other rooms) ➕Spotlighting and ambient audio added to the atmosphere and made easy to know what to work on next ➕Cooling looking special effects with some fun surprises ➕All tech, no padlocks, the tech was tactile and was well integrated into the set. ➕Interesting narrative with some twists and turns ➕Multiple rooms to discover and explore ➕Puzzles were enjoyable and made sense, they tied to the story ➕Some communication and teamwork required ➕A character guided you through the experience Room for improvement: ➖Maybe I'm spoiled by Crypto's other games, but the character was just screen-based and not physical. We played as a team of 3 enthusiasts (paid for 4) and finished with around 20 min left and no hints. One person may need to crouch/crawl a bit. My ranking of all 6 rooms here: 1. The Sorcerer's Secret ❤️ 2. The Lost Shipwreck❤️ 3. Below Zero ❤️ 4. The Extraction ❤️ 5. The Cursed Temple 👍 6. Kilgore Cabin 👍

After so long in the industry and playing so many games it’s getting harder to surprise me as a player, however this game really did. I loved it so so much. I thought each space was so beautiful and well crafted, as well as having an interesting set of puzzles. So many exceptional set pieces and wow moments. In my opinion this is Crypto’s best work. Their rooms are pretty ‘lockless’ for the most part and I think this theme and design leans into that so well. I am someone who usually loves tactile puzzles and this theme isn’t usually what I would go for but it wowed me so much. I haven’t had that ‘buzzy’ after-escape room high in a while and I came out practically fizzing. Really really excellent game.

I don’t usually connect with escape room stories. I don’t mind them as set dressing, but most tend to be underdeveloped so I focus instead on the puzzles and set over how a room carries a narrative. That being said, The Extraction was one of my favorite escape room stories I’ve ever seen, and really proved that an original, well written narrative can truly make a game great. I won’t delve any deeper than that, but all I’ll say is that in this room, the set, the puzzles, and the story are perfectly intertwined with so many fun moments that play with all three. Puzzle wise, this game does lean hard into a specific puzzle format, which I am totally fine with - it added to the tone of the story and was intercut consistently with exciting, tangible interactions.

Amazing room, fully technological, just amazing the story! Absolutely loved it

Very similar to the other crypto theme. One element of this room was very fun.

Loved the theming and the tech in this room. Puzzles were linear and fairly straightforward but it was a lot of fun throughout. I do wish most of their rooms at this location were a bit more difficult so the escape felt a bit more satisfying.

Very very cool, very immersive and story was different!! Hightech which i dont usually like as mich but this one was surprisingly fun for all hightech

Wow - what a spectacular game! From the story, to the sets, to the technology, and puzzles, The Extraction was a hit with my entire group! I will definitely be back to Crypto Escape Rooms to play more of their games. The staff was also lovely to chat with before, and after the game and geek out over the details in the room.