1785. People are disappearing and there’s an awful stench coming from the local bakehouse oven. Mrs Lovett the baker was unable to shed any light, but was very helpful in providing some delicious meat pies. She says Mr Todd the Barber would answer any questions whilst providing Fleet Street's closest shave…

Escape

Demon Barber

Escape room

It was okay

The girl who was our host was very friendly and polite, so we couldn't fault the service. The game itself was well-themed with a unique premise, as our group had never seen a Sweeney Todd-style game before.

However, some parts needed repairing, as there was a piece integral to a puzzle that was hard to read due to some damage. 

3/5 overall.

Very poor. 
A shame that this company continues down the same path of setting up what are - initially - good games but after a little while they start to become worn and 'broken'. Staff aren't able to repair or maintain the games - they're just left to appear uninterested / dismissive when asked about broken / damaged parts. The whole setup is about making as much profit as possible as the games deteriorate. No one there seems to be bothered about this rather critical aspect of running an escape rooms business. 

Demon Barber - is a great theme but unfortunately the game is not up to a standard that I'd recommend to others. It consists of two rooms AND a crawl space that isn't mentioned (despite us have a heavily pregnant member with us...). The first room is tiny and really would be a struggle for a group of 6. We were a group of 5 and found it difficult to shuffle around and swap places etc. 
Second room - much bigger and more appropriate size. (common sense unlocked..)

Puzzles felt quite samey throughout the game and several were lacking feedback - you'll know what I mean.

One puzzle was probably the stupidest 'thing' I've ever seen in an escape room. It required us to knock on a part of a wall - fair enough. But - and this is the mad part - we were told to use the solid wooden rolling pin that was in the room... so we literally bashed the wall with this rolling pin, several times before the mag lock reacted. 

Ok - so a knocking puzzle is a cool thing... but - as with many parts of their games - the area of wall to knock on was badly damaged and there was a hole in the wall lower down, through the clue that you need to read in order to know what to do (and what sound to copy for the knocks). 

That puzzle was a pain in the rear. When we quizzed the GM about it, she was dismissive and told us that we can still read the clue on the wall - even though she was staring at the large hole. It was like listening to Trump - lying to the world. 

Weird.

Other props were tired, a lightbulb was 'out' and needed replacing but again, staff don't seem to care or know what to do. We had to use our mobile phone torches in order to see much of the game - which I dislike a lot because we shouldn't have to do this. If a game is dark, then provide a torch or two...or a lamp as it was set in the 1800s... 

Little tweaks to these games, repairs and regular maintenance would help to ensure groups new to escape rooms don't leave thinking they're all rubbish.

I have played a few of LVLS' games and this was probably the most negative I've felt about the whole setup. 

I don't rate the staff - they always seem so tired, fed up and disinterested. I suspect that wherever Head Office is for Escape - they don't give a sh*t about staff and just care about profit.

Will I return to play the last one ? No. I can't justify the cost nor do I want to risk the inevitable.

Avoid.

Demon Barber

Escape - LVLS Newcastle

Ratings

Reviews

123Escape

YYHGuy