Cybercity 2049

cyberpunk is hard to make believable. This game manages to get it right… neon noir without the kitsch. The puzzles weren’t our favorite, but the game’s ability to build a believable world is remarkable. This is a room I felt more than I solved.

This may have been bad luck, but the game we experienced was broken and the worst we plyaed in Barcelona - a disappointment after a great experience in K.O.N.G. Despite a thrilling endgame and a few unique puzzles, there were some real issues, which I hope was just a fluke. I can overlook the few out-of-place puzzles, but the critical issue here was no fewer than three broken pieces of the game -- including two aspects of an already tedious text-heavy tech puzzle ... and GM abandonment despite our calls for help. An entire panel in a dialog-heavy NPC-interaction wasn't showing which include information critical to solving the puzzle. Despite 15 minutes of calling for help from the GM, we received no help. Even worse, the same puzzle had one of four buttons not working - the button either wouldn't work at all, or it would sometimes trigger a different dialog option than intended. Finally, every time you failed the puzzle, you had to restart the entire puzzle (and reclick through many lines of dialog, meaning brute forcing the solution could take many dialog cycles and, in our case, almost 15 minutes.) Post-game, the GM told us the panel that wasn't working was "optional." It wasn’t optional. We were forced to brute-force the answer by guessing every possible option. This is a real failure of design and maintenance (also: GM training). Finally, a near-end puzzle took place in a cramped, overheated space with the actor. Even in September it was an oven — we were dripping with sweat, and after this same actor had completely abandoned us for 15 minutes, needless to say we were "over it". (EDIT: I've since heard there used to be a working fan here, so this is yet another broken piece of this game). It was a very unfortunate last game for us in Barcelona... and last place on most of our lists. Comparison to Metropolis 99 in Bad Steben Setting aside our broken run, a quick comparison for fellow cyberpunk/escape room fans: Metropolis 99 suffers from too few puzzles, which is notable because every one of them is excellent (I wanted more). Cybercity has about the same puzzle count but somehow felt a bit like a slog, though it also has a larger footprint, more acting, and a flashier finale (plus much more screen interaction time — a negative for me). But Metropolis wins in set detail/intimacy, puzzle originality, and tightness of plot. By contrast, Cybercity’s story feels generic. Even its own description on Morty — “based on Matrix, Blade Runner, and Terminator,” three very different films — shows the lack of a clear concept or goal for us players.

Really cool immersion and fun! Be prepared to get dirty, possibly wet and very hot snd humid in the summer. But it was all worth it.

Must do room in Barcelona - the reviews and awards are more than well deserved. We had an absolute ball and forgot we were doing an escape room because we were so immersed in the experience. Full credits to the fantastic GM who is very involved in this room and making this experience what it was. Just don’t wear anything you hold dear (wouldn’t want getting dirty) like we did - my poor white sweatshirt :( But it was well worth the sacrifice and dry cleaning fee $$.

Play this one. Seriously. I got so caught up in the setting and story, I full-on forgot that I was in an escape room.

How could you not love this room? Probably one of the best rooms of all time. Amazing theming, so many rooms. This is definitely a room that anyone could enjoy, seasoned escaper or noob. It’s definitely a bit challenging. Not the easiest room, but it’s just… so thrilling. Everyone should do this room.

WOW. What an experience. This room was so engaging and immersive, the use of technology was incredible. The set was so incredible. This is a must do if you are in Barcelona. Completed in English - GM spoke great English and language was not an issue at all.

Incredible level of detail. 100% must do this if you’re in Barcelona

This unique game gave me Blade Runner vibes and, while the puzzles weren't always cleanly signposted, I enjoyed interacting with the space enough that it didn't bother me that we were sometimes flailing for the next step. A warning that this game is quite physical. Be prepared to crawl, climb, jump, and get dirty. I love that, but I know it is not for everyone. The play with the actors toward the end of the game was funny and engaging, and I, overall, found this to be a very enjoyable game.