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You and your team of detectives were called in to investigate the theft and search for the stolen relic. BE CAREFUL...the manic thief left traps inside the home.
- 2-10
- 60 mins
- Medium
- Not scary
Reviews
KaitiesKrew
77 escape rooms
We do NOT recommend this room, and after playing two different games at two different Royal Escape locations in Panama City Beach, FL we do not intend to return to play any others. The first issue is that it appears as though they have one person running the front desk and the same person introducing and monitoring all of the games. Needless to say, they were very slow to respond when something didn't work or we needed a clue. In order to get a clue you're supposed to wave at the camera and/or ask for a clue, but we for at least minutes waving in front of cameras and asking for clues because they weren't in a position to monitor the game or were slow to respond. Overall, the game flow just didn't make sense. We've now done over 60 escape rooms and this game had a very jumbled flow. They do not allow a clue in the first 15 minutes so we were stuck with the same couple of items that we were unable to figure out to get started. Why they don't allow a clue in the first 15 minutes, but we were still able to solve the game makes it seem like if you're on track it's really only a 45-minute game, not the 60 that you paid for. We have NEVER played an escape room where we are told that the room is pretty dark and we are told to use our iPhone flashlights to light the rooms. In those cases flashlights are always provided and we are always advised in every other game NOT TO USE our iPhones in the room. Being on vacation, I didn't have my phone with me so we were short one flashlight. This seems very "low budget" to me. Either light it more effectively, or provide the tools required to complete the room. Once we finally received a clue the clues just kept coming like they were on autopilot. Instead of the game master waiting until we got stuck then helping, or waiting until we asked they would just appear. After the game we asked about the first clue and were shown how it was supposed to work. We were pretty confident that it didn't work the way our game master showed us when we did it. Once we got rolling we found that a number of the clues just didn't make sense, even after we finished. We've encountered a couple of games where the designer just had a different way of thinking and so far both Royal Escape Rooms have been like that. For that reason, we don't intend to waste any more money by returning.
Gameplay
Overall, this is not a novel game. It has some Indiana Jones to it, which was unique, but it did not flow well at all. We just kept finding ourselves moving from puzzle to puzzle with a limited idea how to proceed. Even the clues weren't helpful. All of this resulted in more frustration than fun.
Atmosphere
Nothing impressive in the room and the props were worn and ambiguous. There were multiple ways the puzzles could have been attempted but not a lot of guidance as to how to do so. The answers didn't always make sense even after we'd solved them.
Customer service
Our game master was nice and when we expressed our frustration at the end she tried to fix things. However, our game master seemed to be the same game master for every other game being played as well as the woman at the front desk checking people in AND the person getting everyone started in their rooms. As written above this made her very inattentive to our game resulting in our waiting over 5 minutes to get clues, or assistance when an item didn't work. She couldn't possibly see everything going on and that was very obvious. When you walk into the "lobby" you can see that she has a number of laptops set up in her "kiosk" which I assume run the games. There is WAY TOO MUCH going on for 1 person.
Particularly interesting or different
No
The Indiana Jones aspect was fun but this puzzles were simplistic, even if they were ambiguous.
Story
Difficulty
Medium
Once complete, the puzzles weren't overly difficult, just ambiguous with a stuttered flow.
Game tech
Mechanical
Some electronic switches mixed with mechanical locks.
Ideal number of players
4
Scary
Not scary
Minimum age
8
Was anything broken?
Yes
The game master demonstrated the first clue to us after we were done. We didn't feel it worked the same way for her that it DIDN'T work for us. Another door was difficult to open when the clasp got stuck after opening a lock. The puzzle pieces are well worn which detracted from their use and required us to manipulate some of them multiple times to get the puzzles to work correctly.
Live actors
No
Physically active
Somewhat
The room is ok sized and some bending is required.
Accessibility
The game is very dark. Transitioning from one part of the game to another requires movement through a constricted space. Some of the clues are at a higher level.
Easy to find location
Yes
Parking
Easy
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