zodiac6573
9 escape rooms
On our recent visit to Escape Reality Newcastle, we were greeted straight away by two friendly and accommodating games masters who instantly made us feel welcome. The venue itself has a great setup — a cosy waiting area complete with games to play while you wait, which really helps set the mood. We took on Enigmista, Escape Reality’s horror-themed room. While it’s spooky and atmospheric, it never felt too scary — instead, it delivered a gripping storyline about escaping the lair of a serial killer. Our enthusiastic games master Caleb brought the narrative to life brilliantly, which helped immerse us in the experience right from the start. The game kicked off in dramatic fashion, with us being blindfolded and handcuffed, but I won’t spoil the rest. What I can say is that the puzzles were excellent: a creative mix of audio challenges, lock-based tasks, and clever electronic elements. The addition of a live actor gave the room an extra edge, heightening the tension and atmosphere while also stepping in to guide us when needed. We had a team of four, which felt like the perfect number — enough hands and brains to tackle everything without feeling overcrowded. The puzzles flowed nicely in a linear way, which made progress satisfying, though a few of us may have been guilty of overthinking! We also appreciated that the puzzles were diverse and never repetitive. Another thing I liked about the game was the clue system, where the players are handed a mini iPad which can be used to scan an individual puzzle if you ever get stuck. The teams are given a certain number of clues per game but it was really helpful if you felt particularly challenged by a certain puzzle. Although we didn’t escape this time (we were just 90 seconds away!), we later learned the room only has a 35% success rate, so we still felt proud of how close we came. A sweet little bonus at the end was being handed chocolate, which made us smile after all the adrenaline! More importantly, the experience was so much fun that we left buzzing and already talking about which room to try next.
Gameplay
The gameplay was excellent, with a great mix of puzzles — from audio and lock-based challenges to clever electronic tasks. The linear flow worked really well for our team of four, and while the success rate is only 35%, the challenge felt fair and rewarding.
Atmosphere
The spooky theme was spot on — eerie without being overwhelming. The decoration, props, and even the dramatic blindfold-and-handcuff start all created a tense but fun environment that really pulled us into the story.
Customer service
The staff were fantastic: welcoming from the moment we arrived, enthusiastic in setting the scene, and supportive throughout with just the right balance of hints. The waiting area was well set up, and the chocolate at the end was a thoughtful finishing touch.
Particularly interesting or different
Yes
Enigmista stood out thanks to its dramatic opening, varied puzzles, and the involvement of a live actor. These elements added unique twists that kept the experience engaging and memorable.
Story
The storyline of escaping a serial killer’s lair was immersive and well tied to the setting. Our games master brought it to life with enthusiasm, and the room design reinforced the narrative beautifully.
Difficulty
Hard
Ideal number of players
4
Scary
Spooky
The room had a spooky and tense atmosphere but never crossed into being truly frightening. It was more eerie and immersive than scary, making it enjoyable even for those who don’t usually like horror.
Minimum age
14
Was anything broken?
No
Live actors
Yes
Physically active
Not at all
Easy to find location
Yes
Parking
Limited
