Renegade: EP 3 – The Reckoning

This is a good 3rd chapter that continues all of the gameplay, story, and set improvements chapter 2 makes to chapter 1. However, out of all the chapters of Renegade, it adds the least to the overall experience. It’s a really good game, but it’s not an improvement to the 2nd chapter, it’s sort of just a straight-line from it. (Gameplay) Like chapter 2, it completely gets rid of the runbook from chapter 1, but does have you keep coming back to a few central terminals for puzzle information. This one does a good job not letting that feel too repetitive. And like chapter 2 the game also gets very non-linear in its 2nd half. However, the issue from chapter 2 where it’s really hard to tell when things open is made worse in this game because the room is at its largest here. At one point an entirely new space opened and we didn't notice for multiple minutes. (Set and Story, vague story spoilers in this paragraph) The most notable thing chapter 3 lacks is new major additions to the set. Chapter 1 introduces the bulk of the set, chapter 2 introduces the strongest technical elements, but chapter 3, for the most part, uses the same spaces again but gives you access to them all for almost the whole game. It’s also a nice conclusion to the story, but similarly doesn’t have as much going on as in chapter 2. There isn’t really a singular story moment in the game that makes it stand out (aside from one fun character interaction in the 1st half, though that’s arguably the most derivative “puzzle” in the game). Also, a major plot climax happens way too early, and I wish the finale of the game was spent resolving that climax and not something else. (Overall) These are all small issues, but it does result in a game that feels like just a continuation of chapter 2 and not an evolution. I probably like it more than chapter 1 because of those gameplay improvements, but it’s not as good as chapter 2. While it’s not my favorite chapter, that’s irrelevant as far as how much I recommend it because I simply recommend playing all 3 chapters back to back. While I give each individual chapter a like rating, altogether I would give the experience of Renegade a love rating. I love what this overall experience has done creating a very fleshed-out sci-fi world and putting 3 different games in the same space that reuse bits of tech in the room while doing completely different puzzles. If you won’t have time for all 3, I guess you could skip this one since it adds the least to the trilogy, but I think after seeing how 2 ends you’ll want to see the story through to the end. Just don’t expect too much new from chapter 3 like I did, as those too-high expectations did hurt the game a bit.

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.

Loved all three episodes equally but there was a fun theme involved in this episode specifically that stood out to me. Without any spoilers, I’ll just share that it will be special to those who enjoy classic puzzle games. As always, the technology in this room stands far above any escape room I’ve even been to and the story itself doesn’t fall short either. You won’t regret visiting any of their escape rooms. In fact, it may make it harder for you to enjoy rooms made by other competitors.