K
KaitiesKrew
91 escape rooms
Overall, a very fun escape room and typical of the level and quality of Hourglass Escape Rooms in Searcy, AR. Our favorite escape room at this location of the 4 they offer, and, in our opinion, the most challenging. They have a very unique way of moving from puzzle to puzzle in that each has a numbered lock so once you open lock 1 you move on to lock 2, etc. which helps knowing what type of code you're looking for (4 numbers, 5 numbers, 4 letters, directions, and in a couple of cases, pictures next to the lock to show where to find the solution, etc.) but removes a bit of the challenge from the room. However, there are A LOT of locks in this room which makes it very enjoyable. They have a unique, pre-programmed hint system, where a live GM overseeing the game could have been more helpful (we were able to get through without having to use any hints in this game, but the system, from other rooms, isn't ideal). The room is very well designed to support the theme. There are a large number of types of puzzles, but we didn't really see anything we hadn't already seen elsewhere, or was too challenging. They indicated from the start that there are two rooms to play (which spoiled discovering the second room a little -- but you normally can tell anyway). Having played much more sophisticated rooms this entire location is relatively basic, but this room is their best overall designed, they have a variety of rooms, the staff is friendly, all four rooms are fun, and you can't beat the price -- the value of the game is definitely worth what you're paying. If you're traveling on US 67/167 northeast of Little Rock, or live in the area and are willing to drive the hour because you've played all of the local rooms, Hourglass Escape Rooms, and The Ruins is definitely worth an afternoon.
Gameplay
This room flows like the other (see the review for the puzzle numbering system) however, Dracula has a smoother flowing theme as we worked toward the overall objective. The Dracula theme is marginally creepy, but the room keeps it fun.
Atmosphere
Our favorite room at this location for overall design. The props are varied but everything supports a creepy, Dracula's castle design.
Customer service
Very friendly staff. We decided to play this room at the last second, after finishing two others and they were very accommodating getting us set up, and resetting the room immediately so we didn't have to wait. Great customer service.
Particularly interesting or different
No
A good Dracula's castle theme.
Story
Every clue was well integrated and followed a Dracula-themed story.
Difficulty
Medium
On the harder side of medium. A couple of the clues required some very meticulous observation. The puzzles were all fair and made sense but with so much to do this room sits on the high side of medium/low side of hard.
Game tech
Mechanical
Some fun tech, but mostly mechanical.
Ideal number of players
4
We played with 3 but missed a couple of items that took us longer to find puzzle solutions. Another set of eyes/brain would have been helpful. The room is large enough to accommodate even more.
Scary
Scary
A couple of scary elements consistent with the vampire Count Dracula theme (not Bram Stoker's love story version).
Minimum age
15
A couple of Dracula elements were very well done. Not recommended for those with a heart condition or fear of scary movies.
Was anything broken?
No
We had three items break on us in the room -- somewhat consistent with a little extra wear and tear evident in the room, but very rare in our experience. One had a warning sign to "shake not pull" but even a moderate shake pulled the item out of its mount. We were able to decipher the required information anyway to solve the clue. Another item fell off as soon as we picked it up. When we put the item in the wrong place the broken part fell in and was irretrievable. We had to call the GM into the room and he told us he'd have to use a screwdriver to retrieve the item. That incorrect piece of equipment worked properly when we did go to use it later in the clues. For the broken piece, the GM responded immediately and had a work-around already in his pocket, laid it on the clue, and it activated immediately. There was a minimal delay in solving that clue and the time was estimated to be equal to what it would have taken us to solve the puzzle with the broken piece intact. The third broken item was a lock that once we opened it the hasp came completely off the lock. The room looks fine but having had it for a while the edges of clues are rolled up, some areas are rubbed off, but overall everything worked in the end. Response time, when requested, was immediate.
Live actors
No
Not live in the true sense, but realistically make-believe. It is Dracula themed after all.
Physically active
Somewhat
A little moving between rooms.
Accessibility
The room is a little dark and clues are placed at a variety of heights. It should be playable by most individuals.
Easy to find location
Yes
Parking
Easy
