ZZ's Big Top Circus

This isn’t a knock on the themeing, but I didn’t feel like I was ever sure what to do next. Even from the start it wasn’t exactly clear. There were always several elements of a game available to interact with. Never sure which locks your code went to since they were all very similar locks. We would all have to just go to a lock and all try the combo on them all to see if it would be that one. I did enjoy a fishing type puzzle although I only enjoyed the physical part of it. The solution wasn’t clear to me, and what to do wasn’t entirely clear. A little more clueing would make that more straightforward. The biggest issue was just having access to items and not knowing if we had enough information. That happened a few too many times that it made things feel too uncertain. Also I should have asked ahead of time if this would be linear, as that would have saved time. I don’t remember them stating that or seeing that. Could be my bad. Also there was a smell puzzle. Not sure about that from a fun perspective.

This isn’t a knock on the themeing, but I didn’t feel like I was ever sure what to do next. Even from the start it wasn’t exactly clear. There were always several elements of a game available to interact with. Never sure which locks your code went to since they were all very similar locks. We would all have to just go to a lock and all try the combo on them all to see if it would be that one. I did enjoy a fishing type puzzle although I only enjoyed the physical part of it. The solution wasn’t clear to me, and what to do wasn’t entirely clear. A little more clueing would make that more straightforward. The biggest issue was just having access to items and not knowing if we had enough information. That happened a few too many times that it made things feel too uncertain. Also I should have asked ahead of time if this would be linear, as that would have saved time. I don’t remember them stating that or seeing that. Could be my bad. Also there was a smell puzzle. Not sure about that from a fun perspective.

Atmosphere was great. The same song played non stop which is a key to inducing insanity.

Atmosphere was great. The same song played non stop which is a key to inducing insanity.

Upon arrival we found no one in the lobby. We waited 10 minutes and no one appeared. Then a group that had finished the steampunk showed up. Their game master was with them. The didn’t greet us. They were clearly a bit overwhelmed or perhaps tired. They only asked to move away from the side of the room we were sitting on to take a photo of that group. That person never said anything to us after. Next 2 workers came in, and the girl greeted us kindly and apologized for the wait. She checked us in and made sure our waivers were complete. Our guy GM then walked us over to the room. A long dark walk around the buildings. Pretty much in silence. He seemed tired, perhaps from a long and potentially uneventful evening. He went through his spiel, as if reading the game instructions on a card for the first time. No enthusiasm. Post game he was the same. We lost, and then walked us through the rest of the game. No enthusiasm. Just existing. Almost as if he was a purgatory. I’m sure it was just late, and he was tired, but even if I lose I still love to talk and have fun. Albeit this gameplay was not my favorite, I still like engaging.

Upon arrival we found no one in the lobby. We waited 10 minutes and no one appeared. Then a group that had finished the steampunk showed up. Their game master was with them. The didn’t greet us. They were clearly a bit overwhelmed or perhaps tired. They only asked to move away from the side of the room we were sitting on to take a photo of that group. That person never said anything to us after. Next 2 workers came in, and the girl greeted us kindly and apologized for the wait. She checked us in and made sure our waivers were complete. Our guy GM then walked us over to the room. A long dark walk around the buildings. Pretty much in silence. He seemed tired, perhaps from a long and potentially uneventful evening. He went through his spiel, as if reading the game instructions on a card for the first time. No enthusiasm. Post game he was the same. We lost, and then walked us through the rest of the game. No enthusiasm. Just existing. Almost as if he was a purgatory. I’m sure it was just late, and he was tired, but even if I lose I still love to talk and have fun. Albeit this gameplay was not my favorite, I still like engaging.

It’s a circus, that features a carnival, that features a magician. It has lots of interesting thematic elements and is the first circus room I’ve done. I actually like the idea of a circus / carnival / magic escape room. Lots of opportunities.

It’s a circus, that features a carnival, that features a magician. It has lots of interesting thematic elements and is the first circus room I’ve done. I actually like the idea of a circus / carnival / magic escape room. Lots of opportunities.

It wasn’t really too impactful on the puzzles. Some things had to do with it. I think a magician lost a wand. And there was 1 hour to show time. But I had to dig around in popcorn and smell cake pops and play carnival games to eventually get backstage. They didn’t seem related, but they were theme adjacent at least.

It wasn’t really too impactful on the puzzles. Some things had to do with it. I think a magician lost a wand. And there was 1 hour to show time. But I had to dig around in popcorn and smell cake pops and play carnival games to eventually get backstage. They didn’t seem related, but they were theme adjacent at least.

Hard for our group but I feel that had more to do with confusion. We may have been tired also, or overthinking things.

Hard for our group but I feel that had more to do with confusion. We may have been tired also, or overthinking things.

There are some spaces I’m not sure how a wheelchair would move through.

There are some spaces I’m not sure how a wheelchair would move through.

It’s just far. If you live in anthem it’s not far.

It’s just far. If you live in anthem it’s not far.

3-5 is good. It’s fairly linear and there are a couple small spaces so I wouldn’t bring a large group.

Not accessible for those in wheelchairs due to tight spaces.

The game was super fun and I had an amazing time all throughout! It also flowed really well and the experience was amazing!

It felt like you were in a circus, the set was really good and it impressed me.

North Valley always has such an amazing staff, our GM was super friendly and we appreciated him!

There was only one part in particular that spooked me a little bit but other than that it was fine.

When it comes to age, I always think it depends on someone's escape room experience. I feel 12 is a good happy medium.