Lovely game with a complete story, distinct characters, and high-quality, immersive sets. GM interaction is fun and integrated into the environment. Puzzles for the most part are engaging; there are a lot of set pieces to interact with early on, allowing teams to split up and tackle different challenges. Gameplay becomes more linear later, which leaves members of a larger team without anything to do. Signposting in general could also be improved to guide players to next steps and reduce frustration.
The game requires low physicality, but there are no good places to sit down. The sound mixing (or maybe it was the hardware?) could also be improved to ensure that everyone can hear and understand everything.
In spite of some minor gameplay frustrations, this game still earns a high final grade thanks to high scores in production value, novelty, immersion, and story.
Final grade. A
Fun, creative puzzles that integrate into a complete and emotionally satisfying story. Linear gameplay in the later part of the game prevented all team members from participating fully, and it was often difficult to figure out what to do next.
Incredible, immersive setting. Parts of the set are breathtakingly beautiful and worth just pausing to take in.
Escaparium Laval has some of the most friendly, welcoming staff I've encountered at an escape room venue.
Particularly interesting or different
Yes
The story is really a story, rather than a scenario to give the players a reason to be in the space, and it's a good story. The art direction is phenomenal. And the entrance to the game is delightful.
The puzzles themselves are not particularly complicated; the difficulty is (unfortunately) in figuring out what to do. Once it's clear what to do next, completing the puzzles is like playing fun little games.
Most of the game is quite spacious; there is one space that would feel cramped with more than five people. However, gameplay later in the game is linear, so there's not a lot for a large group to do.
There is a character who might look scary to children, but there are no jump scares or characters who actively menace players.
Parts of the game feel like they were designed for children, while other parts would probably be a little too mature (themes they might not be old enough to understand) for younger ones. I definitely think children would be delighted by certain elements of the game.
Everything seemed to work as designed, although the game did feel a little worn around the edges.
The game features several characters. The GM interacts with players throughout, and the character is delightful. Acting was excellent and added emotional resonance to the story. No actors menace the players.
Physically active
Not at all
This game requires no climbing or crawling, although there is one puzzle that is near the floor.
Accessibility
There is no climbing or crawling required, so from that standpoint, the game is not physically demanding. However, it is a long game, and there are no good places to sit down. Color recognition is necessary to solve several puzzles, and there are a couple of puzzles that use sound, as well.