漆黒の悟り [Shadow Zen]

What an incredibly beautiful, creative, surprising, and super fun experience! I had high expectations for Shadow Zen after playing all of Studio Escape’s other brilliant games, but it still blew me away. The theming and use of tech (concealed and otherwise) were simply flawless, and each puzzle flowed seamlessly into the next and in line with the overall narrative. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer and more challenging for enthusiasts. Our team of 4 tried our best to go slow and experience every moment together, yet still finished with 15 minutes to spare. So my recommendation is to hang around, explore, and immerse yourself in the world of Shadow Zen for as long as you can, because it’s absolutely worth it!

A unique room with a creative story, very high production, plus beautiful and fun sets. Puzzles were not too hard. We were a family team of 3. We did the room in English and there were no language issues.

This was one of the best sets designs I’ve ever experienced. The rooms and story were so original, nothing like anything I’ve ever done before. I really can’t put into words how mesmerizing the set design and story were from the moment you walk in. This room did definitely leave a little to be desired in terms of change; the puzzles weren’t very challenging for people that are experienced escape room players but I’d still recommend this room to anyone in Osaka. Just as a heads up it isn’t like escape rooms in the US where there is a waiting room so your game master may get there 5-10 minutes before your room opens. The moment they open the door you’re stepping into your game. We had zero issues with language barriers once the game started. My advise; go slowly, take your time and fully appreciate the game as time likely won’t be an issue for a successful game.

7/10 Shadow Zen is a beautiful experience with Studio Escape managing to pack immersive set pieces within the confines of their limiting space. Their puzzles, original and satisfying, never feel out of place and always fit to theme. A room this is intimate should be played with 2 players so you can experience everything together. 3 would be pushing it, for there isn’t a whole lot to explore or do. More experienced players can easily cruise through this room in 30 minutes or less, so I would recommend doing your best to take your time and enjoy the set pieces. This is a great game if you happen to find yourself in Osaka. I wouldn’t say it’s worth the trip on the Shinkansen from Tokyo just to play it. Does it deserve its 95th spot on the 2024 TERPECA listing? I would say yes. But it might not make the list for 2025.

There’s a moment, about halfway through Shadow Zen, where I realized our team of four should have been solving slower. In the beginning, one of the owners told us to stay together, solve together, and experience it together. And we did. But we finished quickly enough that we could have spent more time in the incredible environment they created. Essentially, it’s a room designed to be experienced, not conquered. One of the things this room offers is an act of historical immersion. A faithful reproduction of the streets of Osaka from a hundred years ago. The textures, the colors, the subtle wear on the walls... it feel as much like historical fiction as an escape room. The puzzles? They’re there, and they’re solid, and sometimes intensely clever. One mechanic, in particular, added to our understanding of Japanese culture almost without our noticing it... until we stopped and realized what we’d just done. It was elegant. And then the room went somewhere we weren’t expecting. And we loved that, too. I don’t know if this room will be everyone’s favorite. If you’re here for puzzling challenges, you might leave wanting more. But if you’re here for immersion, for mood, for a thoughtful, culturally-rooted experience, this is a great option. You could do it with two people. But I’d recommend doing it with four. Not to be efficient, but to share it. Because this room, at its heart, wants to be a collective experience.

Studio Escape is one of the best Creator for Escape Rooms. I recommend this room for English speaker. Unfortunatly, Japan's Escape Rooms are required you the skill of Japanese and Deep understanding of Japanese culture. We usually refer to escape rooms that also require Japanese language skills as escape rooms, and overseas those that only have physical gimmicks as the main feature are sometimes called Shanghai type.

Amazing immersive experience! The aesthetics were amazing!

I was not expecting to find a top-notch escape room in Osaka, with the staff, narrations and puzzles all in perfect English. Additionally Shadow Zen (the only room we had time to do sadly) was one of the 3 best themed rooms we’ve done (>30 total) and one of the top 3 overall. It included a puzzle mechanism that was unique to our experience and completely unexpected. Puzzles worked very well with two people. I wish we could do the other rooms!

I've played over 50 rooms and this might be the best one I've ever played

I recently had the incredible opportunity to experience Studio Escape Shadow Zen in Osaka, and it was truly unforgettable. This escape room is nothing short of amazing, offering a story-driven adventure that captivates you from start to finish. From the moment you step into the room, you are immersed in a unique atmosphere that sets the stage for a thrilling experience. The design and decor are meticulously crafted to enhance the storyline, making you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. One of the standout features is its accessibility for English speakers. The entire experience is available in English, ensuring that you can fully engage with the story and puzzles without any language barriers. The puzzles themselves are well thought out and challenging, requiring teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking to solve. Each clue and task is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, making the entire experience feel cohesive and rewarding. Overall, Shadow Zen is hands down the best escape room I have ever done. If you find yourself in Osaka and enjoy escape rooms, this is an absolute must-visit. You won't be disappointed!