85 escape rooms
This is only one of two rooms at multiple "The Escape Game (TEG)" locations that we have ever rated less than "Loved It", instead giving this a "Liked It." It was explained to us that Classified is one of TEG's earliest rooms, and it was interesting to see how much they've progressed (especially when comparing it to "Secret Agent"). Overall, it is a good room with a couple of flaws, in our experience. The biggest for us was that there was a lock that was already opened (we assumed should have been the fourth-ish puzzle) that put the overall flow out of whack. We weren't sure which direction we should have been going (solving puzzles that came before this one while also solving puzzles after). A second issue had to do with a piece of equipment that provided an aural "puzzle" but after trying to integrate that aural piece into the game we were eventually told that it had nothing to do with the game and to ignore it. This took a couple of minutes for us to get past. There was also a safe in the room and once we thought we had the solution an employee just showed up in the room (not our Game Master Janus) and said they were an expert in opening the safe, before we even tried putting in the combination. We told them we'd like to try it first and when we told them what we thought the combination was they said the 3rd number was wrong. Shortly afterward, we found the correct third digit of the combination then had no problems opening the safe using the instructions provided. This evolution was a little weird. Finally, there was a piece of equipment that was used multiple times in the game so NO one-and-done with everything. Overall, it was easy to see that Classified wasn't quite up to The Escape Game's current standards one of the top two escape room comapanies we've played, but is still a fun room. If given the choice, Secret Agent is a notably better version of this game, but if you're jonesing for an escape room (we were traveling and have played all of the good ones in our town) Classified is still a good option.
If not for an open lock near the beginning, this game would have flowed OK. There were a couple of times that we were stopped with idea how to move forward. It wasn't novel in that it is similar to Secret Agent, but still a good story line.
A little worn, and there were similar types of puzzles back-to-back, while one piece of equipment was used a couple of times to find clues. For an earlier game the atmosphere, especially at the start, was pretty good, and most of the puzzles were fun and interesting.
The staff at the 6 The Escape Game locations we've visited have all been inviting, enthusiastic, engaging, helpful and professional. Janus, our Game Master kept us on track and was our "4th player" to nudge us, when required, to keep the game moving. Her assistance was helpful without being intrusive.
No
The clues all supported the plot line.
Hard
There were a couple of curveballs in this room that slowed things down. However, we didn't experience any tedious puzzles that took a long time to work. We did have a couple of puzzles we haven't seen before which is always interesting, and provides us something to put in our experience bag.
Mechanical
Mostly mechanical with a little bit of tech.
5
We played with 3 but could have used an additional person or two to organize some of what we'd found to work future puzzles. It took the 3 of us to solve the puzzle at hand most of the time so no one was really looking forward, especially in the later stages of the game.
Not scary
8
Nothing scary, but most of the puzzles are more challenging.
Yes
One lock (we estimate on about the fourth puzzle of a linear set) was left open. This cost us some time, as we found it immediately, since we needed to figure out how to both go back to get the original puzzles done, and move forward with the room. Please also see the comment in our review about opening the safe. A little strange to have an employee just show up in the room (not our GM) -- no value added, but a little bit of a distraction, almost like they knew the safe lock wasn't working properly, but hadn't fixed it.
No
Somewhat
Movement through a confined space is required for at least one player.
The room is relatively dark, but flashlights are provided.
Yes
Medium
There is limited parking on the street (on a Saturday afternoon), but there is paid outdoor parking in an adjacent lot, and the building also has a paid parking garage. Watch out for homeless folks who are plentiful around the building, and semi-aggressive.
Jun 4, 2024 | Experienced Jun 2, 2024