Box One By Neil Patrick HarrisTheory11 OnlineEscape roomTabletopI wish I could un-know what I know so that I could play this game again for the first time. It was such a thrilling experience – to find out why you will really have to play it yourself! If you can bring yourself to part with the box, then it is perfectly possible to regift this game once you have finished it. In fact, I am sure you will want to so that others can experience it for themselves (and then you can talk about it with them). I can’t stress enough how much you will appreciate keeping this experience spoiler-free, so I’d suggest getting your hands on a copy sooner rather than later! Full review here: https://escapepuzzler.com/box-one-review/
Zemsta Umarlaka [Deadman's Revenge]DreamScape - Escape RoomEscape roomIRLDead Man’s Revenge was my first experience playing a TERPECA-winning escape room, and it did not disappoint! Our attention was seized from the moment we were summoned by the GM, and we remained enthralled throughout the entire experience. I had reservations about the presence of a live actor, having had limited exposure to this in the past. I must say that it definitely added an extra dimension to the gameplay and increased immersion. The sets are wonderful, the audio and special effects were masterful, and the hint system was inspired. A fantastic mix of varied puzzles kept us on our toes, with one particular challenge towards the end requiring lots of clear communication. A special mention for our GM, who also doubled as multiple characters in the room. He was funny, terrifying and fully embraced his roles. He really made the experience for us. Dead Man's Revenge is a MUST play if you are visiting Poznan, and has taken the number one spot on my personal escape room rankings. If this is the level of quality to expect from TERPECA-winning rooms, then I will definitely be seeking more of them out.
The Morrison Game FactoryPostCuriousEscape roomTabletopThe Morrison Game Factory is a triumph. Brimming with nostalgia and bags of heart, the charming story is unexpectedly moving and ‘the feels’ linger long after the final credits. The puzzles are fun, varied and perfectly woven into the narrative. Achieving such high production value at an excellent retail price is a real credit to the team; there is no question that it is fantastic value for money. I’m excited to see what Lauren Bello dreams up next and can only hope that this isn’t her last PostCurious collaboration. I cannot recommend this game highly enough and I am labelling it a Must Play. Read my full review here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-morrison-game-factory-review/
The 13th FloorEscape Rooms CardiffEscape roomIRLWe’d heard a lot of buzz about TERPECA 2024 nominee The 13th Floor, which is the newest addition to ERC. This was our second game of the day, and quite a departure from the more ‘traditional’ Cardiff Castle. It stood out from the other games we’ve played due to its effective use of a smaller space and the novel approach to gameplay. It is a modern 2.0 escape room that utilises electronic locks, along with other immersive elements, which add some extra surprises. This technical wizardry, made possible by the room’s modern technology, boosted immersion and led to some fun reveals along the way. The set design looked so authentic that one of our team who is afraid of heights, was scared to enter the lift at the start! Alex (GM) had to reassure us that it wasn’t an actual lift, but that the technology used would simulate the feeling of movement. As we stepped inside and the doors closed behind us, we had no idea what to expect… The 13th Floor is a fantastic linear room that slowly reveals each puzzle in a fun way as the elevator ‘ascends’. There are lots of tactile puzzles to solve, with plenty of teamwork required. The story was also engaging and had us invested in urgently working through each level. Despite its spooky vibes, I wouldn’t class this as a horror room – it was unsettling at times, but never felt all-out scary. We escaped with about 10 minutes to spare, after losing a decent chunk of time on one puzzle. We kicked ourselves as we had missed a key detail that would have allowed us to solve it much more quickly. This room was a big hit with us and definitely deserves its TERPECA nomination! Kudos to the team at ERC, who have managed to create a very memorable experience in a relatively small space using some great technological enhancements. For the full article covering my trip to Escape Rooms Cardiff, visit: https://escapepuzzler.com/escape-rooms-cardiff-uk-part-1-feature/
SéanceRiddlr Escape RoomEscape roomIRLGreat atmospheric theming, occasional jump scares (no live actors) and creepy components make for an effective horror experience. This linear room features a good variety of puzzle types, a self-service hint system and some fun surprises. It was definitely on the easier side, with our main issue being the lack of lighting at times (and one light source to share). A fun experience overall! Our host Maddie was fantastic - really welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive! We will definitely be back to play the other rooms. Worth pointing out that if you play two rooms back-to-back, you pay a special price of £30 pp which is superb value!
The Curious Elevator of Mr. HincksBluefish GamesEscape roomTabletopThe Curious Elevator of Mr. Hincks is a joy to play. The clever mix of beautifully crafted physical game components and the quirky online Elevator creates a unique experience that offers bags of fun and charm. Past and current residents of Hincksville will find themselves right at home, while new residents will fall in love with the brilliant puzzles and inventive wordplay. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend checking out The Hincksville Gazette as well- you will not be disappointed! It’s available as either a subscription or a deluxe box set including all issues. Full review available here: https://escapepuzzler.com/the-curious-elevator-of-mr-hincks-bluefish-games-review/
Astro QuestEscape Rooms CardiffEscape roomIRLWe were all hit by a wave of nostalgia as we entered the retro-themed kids’ bedroom that makes up the first part of Astro Quest. It was like being thrown back into our childhoods. We were mesmerised by the many familiar items dotted around the bedroom: an old game console, posters of 80s/90s blockbuster films (Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park), a Thunderbirds toy and a lava lamp. The puzzles in this room were really fun and creative, fully making use of the retro theme. I was particularly fond of one that utilised a book collection identical to one I owned as a child. The mechanism for unlocking the path forward was also a magical and thrilling moment. We shot through the bedroom portion of the game very quickly, before being magically transported onto a spaceship. The theming, as we’ve come to expect from ERC’s rooms, was fantastic. Neon lights, mechanical doors and a control room with various screens and panels. There was a mix of linear and non-linear puzzles that utilised all of our different skill sets; communication was key. A task involving wires nearly tore the team apart, but we pulled together and raced to the end. All-in-all, it took us 39 minutes to escape, which we were extremely happy with! Astro Quest is a solid room full of heart and wonder. It’s retro theming ramped up our nostalgia, before transporting us to space for the second half of the mission. We left the room grinning from ear to ear, and ultimately, what better review is there for an experience than a huge smile? For the full article covering my trip to Escape Rooms Cardiff, visit: https://escapepuzzler.com/escape-rooms-cardiff-uk-part-1-feature/
Save King's LandingPuzzle Punks - DubrovnikEscape roomIRLAs big Game of Thrones fans we were thrilled to play an escape room in the city where some of the most iconic scenes were filmed. Precious knowledge of the series is not required, but will enhance the experience (which is set during the Battle of Blackwater in season two). The puzzles were well-designed and varied with a decent level of challenge. One of the standout puzzles involved something we hadn’t come across in an escape room before! A great experience overall 👍
Secret Treasure of DubrovnikPuzzle Punks - DubrovnikEscape roomIRLSecret Treasure of Dubrovnik was a fun room with clever puzzles and the added bonus of learning about the history of Dubrovnik as you play. We enjoyed the variety of challenges, mechanical puzzles and attention to detail. The Game of Thrones room is also excellent!
The Case of the Curiously Correct BlueprintsBluefish GamesEscape roomTabletopThe Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints is a refreshing shift in format for Bluefish Games. It retains all the wit, charm and wordplay you’ve come to expect from their games while adding a new dimension with the locked audio-book mechanic. Wonderful voice acting, multi-layered puzzles and a variety of well-designed book pages make for a fun and unique experience. It’s a fantastic addition to the Hincks collection, with plenty of room for more Ells and Ernie adventures in future. A little birdie tells me they will return for a new mystery soon; bring it on!
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