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. This room would be a great BEGINNER ROOM (even though they advertise it as "medium" difficulty it is pretty straightforward with a variety of puzzles -- [not a brag, but...] reference our escape in under half the time with 3 people). 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, etc.) but removes a bit of the challenge from the room. However, there are a good number of locks in this room which makes it very enjoyable. Their hint system is also unique in that all hints are programmed into a tablet in the room. You make their leaderboard by points, not time. Each hint costs points and the level of hint you choose has a varying value (i.e. easy = -5 points, medium = -10, etc., or something like that). The shortfall is that the hints aren't dynamic. A live GM overseeing the game would be more helpful. The room is very uniquely designed and had a TOTAL Alice in Wonderland feel. With so many puzzles they are varied, but we didn't really see anything we hadn't already seen elsewhere. They indicated from the start that there is only 1 room which is always a little anticlimactic, but still a satisfying escape. Having played much more sophisticated rooms this entire location is relatively basic, but 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
Nothing novel, but still fun. See the review for the way the locks all flow. This room is also NOT a one and done with objects you find. We used the same items 3 separate times to solve 3 different puzzles. The way they set up the Alice in Wonderland theme, and the way you have to think about the solutions to the clues was unique.
Atmosphere
Very unique set design fully supportive of the theme of the room.
Customer service
The staff is very friendly.
Particularly interesting or different
No
Just a lot of puzzles. All fun but nothing really too challenging.
Story
Really not much of a plot other than using the Alice in Wonderland theme in most of the clues, and working toward the overall goal.
Difficulty
Easy
Advertised on the website as "medium" but was relatively easy.
Game tech
Mechanical
Almost exclusively mechanical with a minimal amount of tech.
Ideal number of players
4
We played with 3 but the room could accommodate more. The puzzles themselves required no more.
Scary
Not scary
Whimsical.
Minimum age
8
Eight is my normal minimal age in order to actually solve the types of puzzles in the room. However, the Alice in Wonderland theme might engage a 6-year-old fan of the book (or movie). A GREAT BEGINNER ROOM.
Was anything broken?
No
Live actors
No
Physically active
Not at all
Accessibility
Very accessible.
Easy to find location
Yes
Parking
Easy
