The Smile Trials [prev. Side Show]

The Smile Trials [prev. Side Show]

Mixed (7 ratings)

A Harrowing Escape [prev. New Smyrna Beach Escape Room - NSB]

  • Escape room
  • IRL

Mark as done to rate

You’ve always loved the circus — the lights, the laughter, the mystery just behind the curtain. Curious after the show, you slip inside the Side Show’s dressing room — colorful, cluttered, and quiet. But something feels off. The costumes are laid out like someone was just here. The makeup mirrors still glow. The door locks behind you with a click. A voice crackles through the speakers: “WELCOME, NEW CONTESTANTS, TO… THE SMILE TRIALS!” You’ve been selected to audition for a role you never asked for. To leave, you’ll need to pass the trials — solve the bizarre puzzles and prove you don’t belong here. But be careful. With each test, your grin gets a little harder to wipe off. You have one hour to complete the trials, resist the show’s twisted magic, and escape with your identity intact… Or you’ll be wearing that smile forever.

  • 2-8
  • 60 mins
  • Medium
  • Not scary

Ratings

All ratings (7)

Mixed

Gameplay
Negative
Atmosphere
Negative
Customer service
Negative

Reviews

V

VeganGameGuy

415 escape rooms

Not good. The woman sat in the room with us (they have no video system). She was not polite, and the puzzles were just children's toys, nothing interesting. We couldn't read some of the clues (they were out printed on strips of paper and the ink had faded), and wewere overwhelmed by all the red herrings. She refused to give hints, even to tell us which games and toys in the room were relevant. We wasted so much time on toys and games that weren't even part of the game. In my opinion, avoid... The woman also harasses you to take a photo even if you don't want to take one; she says that's how she gets paid. ...What?

Gameplay

Not fun. Just frustrating. Who pays to play with broken children's toys? (clearly we did...)

Atmosphere

Just a room with a bunch of toys. Not immersive. No plot line. Not good...

Customer service

She was demeaning and made patronizing remarks throughout the game. (She was in the room!)

Particularly interesting or different

Yes

Yes but in only bad ways...

Story

Non-existent

Difficulty

Hard

... Because the puzzles made no sense.

Game tech

Mechanical

Lots of finicky broken locks and toys.

Ideal number of players

0 😅

Scary

Not scary

Minimum age

21+

Was anything broken?

Yes

Multiple games had finicky locks and required precise maneuvering... But they didn't work. We didn't get any added time for the brokenness and she wouldn't give hints...

Live actors

No

Physically active

Somewhat

Finicky toys

Easy to find location

Yes

Parking

Easy

Jul 13, 2024

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