The Wizards of WyvernProdigy Escapes And ExperiencesEscape roomIRLTwo of us completed this linear escape room in good time, without feeling rushed at any stage. There were a good mix of puzzles, with lots of physical aspects and great props - the two of us coped fine with the challenges presented and concluded that too many people would be a hindrance and leave people without a task; 2-4 people in a team would be optimal. We enjoyed the story and touches of humour, and the animatronic and interactive elements were brilliant. Must give a shout-out to Ella who was our fabulous games master and gave us just the right amount of help. Thank you for a fab time!
New York Underworld [prev. The Barber Shop]Arcadia Escape Rooms [prev. U-Escape]Escape roomIRLVery fun room with a good assortment of puzzles, well decorated and maintained. Did this with two adults and four kids, still plenty of room which was a relief. We did fail to notice some things quietly opening, and so wasted time thinking we’d got the puzzle wrong - so play close attention! Not too challenging for experienced escapists, but great for first timers (we had two with us) and kids. Nothing scary or gory.
Alien War [Immersive Experience]John Gorman and Gary GilliesEscape roomOther I visited Alien War when it went on a brief tour and came to Bournemouth International Centre. I was 13. In retrospect, and as a parent myself, I wonder why on earth my parents were thinking to have let me (1) see the movies and (2) take myself off to “the longest 20 minutes of your life” with my 11 year old sister and 9 year old brother in tow. My sister never made it anywhere near the entrance - she saw one of the marines exit from a side door and just the sight of one of the good guys had her bolting. When our turn came a suitably weary and worn looking marine (actor) briefed our group - we had to do as he said, stay quiet, stay together. He was there to help us off an alien-infected space station. Inside the corridors were littered with debris, pipes hissed smoke, rotating warning lights flashed red amongst the electrical strobing. We felt our way along the edges, my brother and two best friends both holding the fingers of my left hand in a death grip whilst I felt around in the dimness in front of us. The adults around us were breathing heavily - the jokiness they’d exhibited before we went in having worn off disturbingly quickly. The marine peeked around a corner then waved us all into a corner and signed for us to stay low whilst he scouted ahead. As we huddled in the misty dark a grown man next to me - let’s call him Bob - started whimpering. Rumours had abounded of some people being “snatched” in the Glasgow and London events - no doubt plants if it happened but still, the thought added to our terror. Then, a slight movement in the corridor from where we’d come, then emerging from the dark comes a full sized xenomorph heading straight for us. They used actual costumes and props from the movie by all accounts so it was REAL. Bob screamed and scrambled to his feet to leg it, using my nine year old brother for support sending him rolling to the ground. My friends bolt after him taking my fingers with them, so I’m left scrambling to grab my brother with my free hand who at this point is frozen in the ground just a foot from the advancing alien. I dragged him and ran. When we regrouped I gave Bob a glare and he, plus the other adults who had abandoned us, had the decency to look mildly ashamed of themselves. Our marine seemed surprised not to have lost anyone and told us to move on out. The passage way became narrow, with a large side vent off to the right - we had to go in single file whilst the marine covered our rear. No-one else would go first so I went forward then ushered my friends and brother to me, then we turned to watch Bob shaky follow whilst willing for him to be grabbed from the vent. Sadly he made it. The next door was sealed, some of the “men” were called on to get it open whilst our saviour again watched our backs, he’d spotted movement… the men strained to open the hatch door, Bob practically in tears now. Once it opened he was first through, then immediately looked back in horror as he realised what he had done and tried to come back to the middle of the group. None of that Bob! We pushed through before he could try to piggy back our marine. We were told then that we were just an elevator ride away from the launch bay where the extraction waited. The air was thick with tension as the lift doors clanged shut and the room shook with vibrations and the sounds of straining mechanicals. The lights went out as the lift silenced, then as they flickered back to life it seemed like a jungle of creeping shadows and alien claws were reaching at us from the ceiling, the gap in the doors, the open space beyond… our marine swung into actions, his pulse rifle blazing as he tried to clear us a route. A light became visible through the dark fog ahead… “GO, GO, GO!!!” he yelled as he sprayed more bullets across the strobing, churning mass that surrounded us. And go we did, legging it as fast as we could towards that light - to burst sweating, shaking and breathless into the gift shop. Bob collapsed and hugged himself, rocking back and forth. “Can we go again?” asked my brother?
The Castle DungeonWarwick CastleEscape roomOther We thought this was a very reasonably priced addition to an already packed with fun day out. More an experience than anything else - there is lots some creepiness, some jump scares, some educational value and lots of laughs. Steep steps and tight spaces. We had a lot of fun.
![New York Underworld [prev. The Barber Shop]](https://res.cloudinary.com/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/de77032c-2837-47e9-8579-a769e5646d8c.png)
![Alien War [Immersive Experience]](https://res.cloudinary.com/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/69e0d11f-5e08-4b6e-a32b-6b5bf58c2e3f.jpeg)
