The Psych Ward | The Trust Experiment

The gameplay was fun! It’s best to play with close friends, or people that you really vibe with since this is a non traditional sácale room. It’s more of like an escape room mixed with a game of mafia. Speaking from having played the room twice before, the fun is less in the puzzles and more with the game master and other players in the room. Not to say the puzzles weren’t good, they were fantastic! I will say, if you’re a bit of a sore loser (like me, but I’m working on it 😤) the room won’t be as fun to you IF you lose.

Though small, there are PLENTY of puzzles and it’s very immersive. The game master (Ariana, or Nurse Venti), had good jokes and meshed with us well. The room is supposed to have a bit of a grimy look to it, but at no point did I feel disgusted or unclean. The props and puzzles themselves are interesting to look at and fun to interact with.

We arrived early and there was a group ahead of us so we did wait a bit. I didn’t have my phone on me so it was a bit hard to tell how much time had passed since we arrived, but at no point did I feel like I was in waiting limbo. I was in good company and in the waiting lobby there is a practice puzzle you can do to earn a prize! The staff and our game master were nice to us and greeted us in a timely manner.

It’s a mafia game but an escape room! Of COURSE it’s unique and different. I love board games and escape rooms. This was a perfect blend. Definitely play it before it closes down forever!

The plot was JUST loose enough for us to be immersed. Each player that is assigned with a number gets their own little backstory of how they were admitted into the psych ward, but it doesn’t play that big of a factor into the story other than the jokes that the game master/nurse tells. But it’s still enjoyable nonetheless.

There were some that we flew through pretty easily, but others were VERY tough. It’s possible to do ALL the puzzles in the room, but it’s very unlikely you will.

There aren’t any physical locks inside the room, so as far as I’m concerned this is a really cool 3rd gen room.

Honestly, the more the merrier.

NOT meant to be spooky. Just think of it as a fun little board game.

There are some loud noises and creepy aspects to the room so young kids and toddlers wouldn’t be a good idea in here. Idk if they even allow kids that young inside that room lol. And some of these puzzles are complicated so I’d say maybe a middle schooler would be the youngest that could fully enjoy the room.

There was a bit of a problem with our door as the previous game had pushed the emergency button to exit, so in our game the door kept popping open after it was closed shut. Our game master had to put something in there to keep it shut, but assured us we could still open it in case of an emergency. And I was sure she was telling the truth as she was able to come in and out of the room with ease. Secondly, there was a puzzle that would not trigger even though we had solved it. The game master herself admitted that it was a mistake. But in all honesty it wasn’t that big of a deal and it was dealt with quickly and smoothly.

The game master was also the love actor. Just a nurse, or orderly that pops in every once in a while to give an update on scores or help with a puzzle.

Some puzzles are a bit low so there is quite a bit of crouching and kneeling. Maybe a bit of crawling depending.