You're merchants on the Silk Seas but bad luck strikes when you get boarded by pirates. More bad luck as the pirate ship hits bad weather and breaks on an Island. But your luck changes as you're survivors on Shipwreck Island. Start shackled or in the brigg !

Red Herring Escape Rooms

Shipwreck Island

Escape room

We were given a very brief introduction as we were the last group of the day. Having done one escape room here before I was expecting something a little different, but no, mostly padlocks and maths puzzles–– which is fine if you like that sort of thing, but given numbers and maths are my weakest skills, it became tedious and confusing. Not very immersive for more than 2-3 people as puzzles are completely linear, but thats not a bad thing. Lots of red herrings–– which is the escape room creator's schtick, but these are more just to get you excited about winning a fish and less focused on the plotless and meandering escape room itself. Many of the clues were used more than once, which is something I consider a no-no. Once something has been used and I've set it aside I don't want to have to find it again. This business has very recently moved venues and the mediocre planning may have had an effect on the quality of this room. It was difficult to tell a lot of the time with clue or key related to which lock or puzzle–– pot luck in a room full of about 30 padlocks. Absolutely zero atmosphere, no smoke and mirrors, just a room with wide open windows full of charity shop furniture–– forgot I was supposed to be marooned on a shipwrecked island for most of it. Seven of us had good fun, but I usually love chatting about my escapes and going over inspiring and original puzzles long after (even if I don't make it out) but this time I just found myself complaining about what didn't make sense and feeling dejected. After looking up reviews afterwards I noticed most people seemed positive, but every time someone had any level of negativity the owner clapped back aggressively with reasons as to why such and such was the players fault and generally sounded a bit pompous and arrogant. Not the kind of qualities I find make a good games master. I design printable rooms for teenagers and above and I am always humbled to hear of my mistakes or take on advice for improvements. There is definitely room for improvement at Red Herring.

Shipwreck Island

Red Herring Escape Rooms

Ratings

Reviews

BeckyAliceCoe