Mr Copplestone's Curiosity ShoppeEscape Quest United KingdomEscape roomIRLThe idea of puzzle rests has grown considerably with “Daylight Robbery” at Cryptology and “UI-55”| at Compendium. This is a similar idea where you have a considerable number of puzzles to solve in order to find time crystals. The setting is amazing and reminiscent of “Loot the Lanes”, the more crystals you find then other shops open up to you. Not all shops will as the overall game will change every so often almost guaranteeing repeat visits (I know I will). A massive range of puzzles from obvious searches to cunning logic puzzles, audio driven ones and observational.
VikingExtremescapeEscape roomIRLWow. Quite simply one of the best rooms I have ever played, from theming to puzzle design to reveals. The space may be limited but everything is so cleverly done and you can see the thought that has gone into it. The story is coupled with some brilliant atmospheric events and has more than a trace of humour and at time moments of sheer magic. I’d love to say more but its one of the few rooms I wish I could forget all about it and just go and play it again.
Lost TombExtremescapeEscape roomIRLOnce again terrific theming and solid puzzle design (with some incredible physical effects) create an incredible game. The puzzle flow is mostly non-linear in nature and will test your searching, observation and deduction skills. I think the puzzles in the second half let the room down slightly but it’s still of a high standard and still very much worth your time.
Pirate ShipExtremescapeEscape roomIRLI’ve always had a soft spot for a good pirate room, and this is a good pirate room! This is the oldest room at this venue but I found it hard to tell. The overall puzzle design may feel a little dated (nothing here will probably surprise you but old ideas still have the power to surprise) but they flow well and will test your overall puzzling skills. The theming and scenery is first rate and all puzzles are on theme.
The Grand HeistThe Escape Room GuysEscape roomIRLBank Heists are not a new theme, but rarely have I enjoyed one as much as this. This is a delightful game that plays incredibly smoothly and with a range of puzzles. The first part is a relatively normal linear game but the game changes and becomes a puzzle fest of how much can you steal. Theming is simple but effective, puzzles vary in difficulty (I would argue even one of the decryption tools is a puzzle!). Nothing here will probably surprise you but this is a great game for both beginner and experienced player. Our GM was Adam who expertly nudged back on course and was great throughout. As others have said, this feels a but like an undiscovered gem when compared to its more well known games in Derby but it well worth a visit, we had a great time.
TreasonLucardo RawtenstallEscape roomIRLThe latest from Lucardo did not disappoint and is once again a lot of fun to play incorporating some great dramatic and theatrical moments (that key eh?). The game is set around Guy Fawkes as he tries to blow up parliament and incorporates you into the plot. Whilst possibly not historically accurate this is a fun game with a lot going for it.
The OrphanageLucardo ManchesterEscape roomIRLA creepy room with some fun puzzles that may have younger players scratching their heads as they have never heard of them! It is dark but there is enough light to play the game as you progress in a roughly linear manner. There’s a couple of puzzles that were slightly ambiguous in nature but we were clued effectively with just enough to nudge us in the right direction. Your party is forced to split up at one point in one of the more atmospheric moments of the game. Ultimately nothing here will surprise you but it’s a fun game to play none the less.
ShackledEscape Rooms King's LynnEscape roomIRL𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿This review contains spoilers.Unscramble𓀗
Exorcist - The real life Escape roomEmergency Exit Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLThis was one of the best online rooms I played at the height of the Covid pandemic and was curious how it would translate in reality. The room is the same, the puzzles are (mostly) the same but there is an atmosphere in this room, it was cold and I’m not sure if that was part of the effect or it was just cold! The overall story is helped by the video cutscenes that you discover along the way which help develop the narrative. The progress is mostly linear with some relatively familiar tropes to help you along the way. Its a tough one but I think playing the online version did spoil me slightly as some things did come back to me as the game went on.
Test ChamberExit Door Escape RoomEscape roomIRLOne of the best split starts I’ve played for a long while then opens up into an interesting game and story. Some very innovative puzzles are balanced out by some tricky physical ones that could prove frustrating. Similarly there is a lot of searching to do that could trip you up. Even though we failed to escape we had a great time here and this is definitely one venue I will be keeping an eye on.
