Madame LeClaire and the Seance of Death

Our highly anticipated visit to Studio Escape lived up to the hype! Madame LeClaire, the first room we played, was a masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere. The tech and special effects were magnificently impressive but well-hidden and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. Studio Escape calls itself “experiential cinema”, which is a perfect description of what the room felt like. You are immersed into the story as soon as you enter the door, and every single puzzle advances the plot with impeccable flow. Even the clue system (if you can call it that) is designed around immersion, ensuring the presence of the gamemaster is entirely absent from the experience.

A stunning room loaded with narrative twists, turns and beats all delivered through enjoyable puzzles in gorgeous sets. It was truly a masterclass in storytelling within the escape room format. As the newest version of the game after its stint in an Osaka hotel, ‘Madame LeClaire’ builds its narrative as players move through the experience, culminating in an ending unlike any others I have had the pleasure of experiencing to date. Studio Escape’s goal is to create cinematic experiences, and with ‘Madame LeClaire’, they certainly deliver. It was one of my favourite Studio Escape games and one of my favourite escape experiences ever. I highly recommend it.