The Disappearance of Flight 13

I felt like I was on a plane about to crash during a takeover, it felt intense. The abundance of locks and codes made it especially challenging. The puzzles weren’t my favorite style, but given the storyline and theme, I don’t think they could have been done much better.

This has to be the worst room at 13th Gate. The room did look like an airplane, but it was so cold we needed coats. We had to be told how to operate the seatbelts after we sat there for a good 15 minutes strapped in. We found a key but when we put it in the only keyhole it would fit, it would not turn, so we wasted more time looking for another keyhole only to be told that the lock on the door didn't turn and you had to shove the door open. Then there were clothes in the game which did nothing but were put in places where you would think should have something to do with the game. This game made no sense and deserves a big thumbs down.

Room was super immersive and it really felt like we were on a plane. Our game master Malcolm was super nice as well.

Mega-immersive, super realistic. Very cool and unique. Total love.

Possibly my favorite room here. Whereas the others impress with their impressive scale, this one cleverly packs a lot into a confined area.

Design of this room was amazing. Really felt like you were on an airplane. Gameplay though was not so great. We apparently skipped a step, which broke the game. We had to leave the room and wait for it to be reset. Really broke the immersion. So as much as I wanted to love this game, technical difficulties kind of ruined it for me.

Another great 13th gate game. Technically, we didn’t escape as time expired as we were finishing the final step, but they did allow us to finish and experience the ending. Great set design! Nice, mostly intuitive puzzles. Smaller groups recommended. They have a 4 person minimum, but I would do much more than that. Easily my #3 favorite (behind Cutthroat and Spellbound).

This game was very cool. There were so many puzzles to solve. I’d say this room was certainly difficult, but it moved quickly once we really got started. The design was something very unique.

At last we get to my favorite game at 13th Gate, The Disappearance of Flight 13. Wow, just wow, What a ride! (No pun intended.) Where to start? Let's start with the set. 13th gate is known for their elaborate room designs, some of which are crazy huge like Cutthroat Cavern or Tomb of Anubis. Compared to that scale, Flight 13 is an average size room, but holy crap, it’s the most meticulously designed set I have ever seen. I’ve only done one other plane escape room, but this one leaves that in its jetstream. Simply put, you completely feel like you are on a MOVING airplane the entire game. Meaning they indeed simulate the gentle moving of an airplane during the game (reinforced with horizontal rain if you look outside the windows)! Everything from the seats to the flushing toilet in the bathroom to the overhead bins and (when you eventually get in) the cockpit, are all perfect. Then there was the storyline. No spoilers, but they could easily have gone down the "terrorist leaving a bomb on the plane" route, but instead they went totally sideways with a crazy-but-somehow-this-works storyline involving the government, Area 51 and people disappearing off the plane! IT WAS GREAT!! Plus the story wrapped up really really well. 13th Gate uses an "automated" hint system that they bake into most of their rooms. Someone, like a cat in Spellbound or another victim in The Collector, gives you a pre-recorded clue when you need help. In this game, it was a stewardess locked away in a different part of the plane. The effect works surprisingly well and the gamemaster stays on top of things to jump in if the automated response isn't helpful. Meanwhile the puzzles flowed well and there was nothing that seemed non-intuitive. I will say there was one computer puzzle that was a little laborious and could've been shorter. The only issue I had with this game was the same I have with any game at 13th Gate. These are 60 minute rooms that really need to be 75 minute rooms. There's a LOT of puzzling to be done. We were a group of 4 and we ran over and they let us keep going. Come to 13th Gate for pretty much any & all of the games here. Put Cutthroat, Anubis and definitely Flight 13 as the must-dos. This company is worth the 90 minute drive from New Orleans. If you are coming out, just plan to spend the whole day there & do all of their games.