The Crimsons Recipe

Over 500 games and this might just have jumped into number one, certainly top 5. From the minute you step into the venue you are immersed into the world. Clever set up at the start, followed by a cinematic entrance that sets you up for the rest of the game. Some very nice touches outside of the actual gameplay too. Played as a two. Highly recommend it

Myself and a few other Escape Game owners travelled from Scotland to The Netherlands to play some of the top games in the world, as well as some of the rising stars. The Crimson's Recipe was the second stop on the tour. It was mentioned to us by a few enthusiasts as a rising star. Intrigued we made the short trip from our base in Utrecht to see what the fuss was about. This game has clearly been inspired by the other heavy hitters in the country and tried to raise the bar. Which it has done in spades. Ranking the games on that trip in hindsight. This made the top spot for 3 of the 5 players in our team, myself included. This game has everything: a set that is massive, yet so intimately detailed, a story that is executed perfectly, puzzles that are satisfying, and a level of immersion that I had never experienced before. ----- MILD SPOILERS AHEAD ------- Personally I love the interactions with a game, how those interactions are disguised as puzzles, and how they draw you into the world. There were no number or word padlocks because it wouldn't have made sense for the world. But what we did interact with felt real and felt part of the world. It is here my only criticism falls. One puzzle contained what looked suspiciously like AI generated art, which, if true, was very disappointing. So much love clearly went into every inch of that set, so this particular asset stood out with a sore thumb. But so many of the interactions were excellent I have to give it a pass. (If the owner reads this, please let me know if I'm wrong, and if I'm right please change this because it's like a piece of gum stuck on a Rembrandt.) ----- MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD ------- Two things I want to discuss here. And while these are not game critical, they will kill some of the magic. The first is the entry. The game begins from the moment you come in, and is so good that myself and my friend who runs one of the most immersive experiences in the UK, was completely thrown off. So authentic was the experience that even he did not recognise the performance! Second was the final moments of the story. Throughout, a narrative had been built, only for it to be flipped at the death. In a previous game, there was a moment where we were all huddled under a desk and I thought it was a fun way to make us feel like one of the characters. It was not. But in this game, we really did feel like we were stepping into the shows of the character (the sneaking section was incredible). But that final moment was presented not as an audio cue, but as environmental storytelling that is hard to miss, but could be for those not paying attention. When I realised what had happened. I turned to my friend with my hands on my head and said "I know what actually happened" and I was genuinely devastated. This is perhaps the most emotional I've ever been in a game. The Crimson's Recipe is not a "rising star" it is the new beacon that will define the next generation of rooms.

Quite frankly my favourite game in my life so far. Perfect tone. GLORIOUS set design. Lots of 'wow' moments. Nice puzzles. Sound design out of this world and magical ways to lead us to where we should be going. Absolutely worth the journey to play this ♡

One of the prettiest sets I've seen with impressive audio and lighting. This is a bit light on the puzzling with several of my least favorite "puzzle" ("how many X...?"). The story didn't quite click enough to make this a personal favorite, but it's absolutely worth a play, especially if you're into escape rooms for the set design.

The Crimson Recipe is easily one of the most impressive escape rooms I've ever played The way the story is delivered is probably the best I've encountered in any escape room. The narrative unfolds naturally and keeps you completely engaged from beginning to end. The sound design and set decoration are outstanding. Every detail is carefully crafted, creating an incredibly immersive atmosphere. The special effects are absolutely insane and elevate the experience to another level. The puzzles and tasks are incredibly unique and creative. They feel fresh, memorable, and are perfectly integrated into the storyline, making every challenge meaningful and enjoyable. The room is also packed with jaw-dropping moments that genuinely blew our minds. Overall, this is an absolute top-tier room. It excels in storytelling, immersion, atmosphere, effects, and puzzle design, delivering a truly unforgettable experience. A must-play for any escape room enthusiast.

After having played a huge number of escape rooms and immersive experiences over the years, it has become increasingly rare that a game truly leaves us speechless long after we've finished it. The Crimson Recipe by Escape Room Schijndel managed to do exactly that – and with full force. From the very first moments, we were drawn into a fascinating story that never lost its grip on us. Combined with fantastic special effects and one of the most impressive sound designs we have ever experienced, the game created an atmosphere that was simply outstanding. In fact, this might be the escape room with the best surround sound we have ever encountered. The set design was absolutely top-class. Every room felt alive and it was obvious that an incredible amount of attention had been paid to even the smallest details. Everywhere we looked, there was something that helped bring the world of Elderbroeck to life. And yes, despite all its immersive elements, this is still an escape room. The puzzles were cleverly designed and perfectly integrated into the story, ensuring that the gameplay never interrupted the narrative flow. A special thank you also goes to the two owners, Natalia and Remco. Their warmth, passion and hospitality made an already fantastic experience even more memorable. Thank you for giving us such an unforgettable adventure. We sincerely hope to return to Elderbroeck for many more adventures in the future.

Beautiful game with a touching story. Quality voiceover audios. Puzzling on the easier side, but they do advertise this as more of an experience than a puzzle game. Take your time and savor what has been designed and you will find it enjoyable.

I found this to be an amazing experience. The narrative was very well done, with audio and lighting that helped to immerse you in the story. Even though there is no actor in the room, it did not detract from the experience at all. And the decoration was top notch, making the story even more present. Escape Schijndel says in advance that this is an immersive experience, and you are to take your time to get involved in the story. This made us think it was going to be light on the puzzles, but we enjoyed the puzzles just as much as the story! I liked how they fit well into the narrative as well.

We have played many escape rooms around the world, but what we experienced at "The Crimson's Recipe" in the Netherlands defies description. It is an emotional rollercoaster, a psychological gut-punch, and an absolute cinematic masterpiece that begins quite innocuously. The setting is so terrifyingly real, organic, and rich in detail that a primal instinct for self-preservation kicks in. Every scent, every texture on the walls, and the masterful interplay of light and absolute darkness pull you deep into a disturbing narrative. The atmosphere isn't just scary—it is emotionally crushing. The sound design vibrates in your chest, relentlessly driving up your pulse. What sets this room apart from all others is the harrowing depth of the story. You are not merely a passive observer here; you become part of a twisted moral dilemma. The actors—if you can even call them that, given how completely they inhabit their roles—perform with incredible intensity. At no point do the puzzles feel contrived. Every task represents a logical, often cruel step toward advancing the story or ensuring your own survival. They challenge your intellect even as adrenaline fights to completely block out clear thought. "The Crimson's Recipe" is not a room you play just to have a bit of fun. It is a work of art that pushes you to your limits, triggers your empathy, and leaves you deeply shaken.

(Here’s the Shoe My Baby Wore, But Baby Where Are You?) *It is difficult to describe without leaning on contrasts. It’s a game whose theme, characterization, and visual style simultaneously pull in multiple directions. *There is a remarkable clarity to its narrative. I’m hard pressed to think of a game that tells its story more cleanly and clearly. *The village of Elderbroec is filled little Disney-esque vignettes that involve pigeons, shutters, shops, and whispers. The world feels full and inviting, and also slightly curdled. *This is an odd comparison that would take some time to explain, but there is something of the American poet Dudley Randall in its narrative. It’s a story where a central figure is neither condemned nor redeemed. Instead, you sit inside the ache. *There are echoes of other Dutch rooms (Molly’s Game comes to mind) and the chiaroscuro lighting gestures toward narrative ideas … truth is partial, meaning lies in shadows, what you cannot see is as important as what you can. *I mentioned Disney before, but Crimsons’ vignettes need to be commented on again. It is so economical in storytelling, paced so well in the unraveling, so charming and wounded and heart wrenching, that it really feels like something from the dark underbelly of a Disney theme park ride. I’ve played 7 of the current Terpeca top 10, and I think it can confidently stand shoulder to shoulder with many of those games.