Renegade: EP 2 – Rogue in the Rift

A really great expansion of chapter 1 and the strongest of the Renegade chapters. It both fixes the gameplay issues of chapter 1 (and is overall just better in gameplay) while also expanding the set and story in notable ways. It’s an overall great game that’s even better as part of a larger story. (Gameplay Improvements) My main issue with the 1st chapter is it being a runbook game: tying most puzzles to the same manuel. This made it feel really repetitive and also meant it had to be super linear. This and chapter 3 fix both of these issues as the runbook is completely gone (for a good story reason). Technically, there’s still a terminal you keep coming back to for some puzzle information but it’s mostly for inputting codes and never feels as repetitive as the runbook. The runbook being gone also allows the game to abandon its linearity in the 2nd half. It also becomes pretty difficult when it does, though at least one of those puzzles is difficult because of unclear clueing (and clueing from another chapter). Always keep in mind that each chapter takes place in a room filled with most of the information of the other two chapters, meaning that most of the things in the room will be completely useless. This one in particular we found ourselves investigating objects that weren't needed in this chapter, so make sure to go in with that mindset that not everything will be used. Generally, this game did a good job pointing at what to actually use when we’re doing a puzzle, but sometimes it was unclear and we ended up fidgeting with knobs that weren’t even used in the chapter. Both of the later chapters also have an issue of it not being clear when things open, so ask your gamemaster quickly if anything opened if you couldn’t tell. (Set and Story Improvements) But that last thing is mostly an issue because of the expansions made to the set. There’s not many, but they are great. They are especially good from a technological standpoint.The biggest technological feats of Renegade are introduced in this chapter. Already the 1st chapter had hundreds of little buttons, knobs, and dials, but they don’t have anything on what’s shown off in this chapter. It’s also really impressive technologically how many of the buttons and knobs and dials have their functions changed entirely in these later chapters. The story also expands perfectly on the 1st chapter, with actual characterization, plot twists, and a surprising ending. The world of the Renegade feels really fleshed out in all 3 of these chapters. (Overall) Now, I only give each individual chapter a like rating, but altogether I would give the experience of Renegade a heart rating. I really recommend playing all 3 of these back to back in one visit (especially because it will make you less likely to be confused about what objects in the room have already been used in previous chapters, which we were in this chapter because of the months-long gap we had between chapters 1 and 2). While there will be some awkward gaps in your booking (hopefully they can run them near back-to-back, they were able to for us) and it will be pricey, together they do really make each better and create 1 really unique experience.

I rate parts 2 and 3 of this series a 4/5 (check out my bio for rating system). The set and theme earn 1.5 points. These rooms do an excellent job of selling the fantasy—you truly feel like you're aboard a spaceship. The environment is immersive throughout, and it's clear a lot of thought and effort went into creating the experience. Puzzles also get 1.5 points. As someone who has played a lot of escape rooms, I always appreciate encountering mechanics I haven't seen before, and these rooms delivered. Several puzzles felt fresh, creative, and well integrated into the theme. My enjoyment gets 1 point. While I enjoyed the overall experience, I think the trilogy could have been streamlined. A few puzzles felt more like time-fillers than meaningful additions, and when playing all three chapters back-to-back—as many enthusiasts will—you're spending several hours in essentially the same environment. I think the experience might be even stronger as two larger rooms rather than three separate chapters. That said, these are still highly creative rooms with strong immersion, memorable puzzles, and an engaging story. Even with my pacing critiques, I appreciate the ambition behind the project and the obvious passion that went into creating it.

My friends and I had been excitedly awaiting for episode 2 of the Renegade to drop for over a year and we unanimously agree it was well worth the wait for its release. The prop design that went into this room was a true labor of love and we were scrambling with delight to try and solve all of the puzzles in all hidden nooks and crannies. It’s a good day to be running around an enclosed space, immersed and shouting your discoveries or requests with your crew mates.