Breakout Greensboro – Do Not Disturb (Review)

Location: Greensboro, NC (There are locations nationwide, however.)

Price: $25.99 per person

Players: 2-8 (We recommend 3-4)

Time to Escape: 60 Minutes

Taken!

Theme:

Breakout City is under attack by a shadowy serial kidnapper! Your task force has been working day and night to find out where he is operating and end his reign of terror, but have had little luck until now. It seems, though, that he has slipped up recently, and you’ve found his hideout within a seedy motel room. Unfortunately, he’s played you, luring you into a trap! Seek out the mysteries inside the kidnapper’s hideout and escape before you become the next to go missing!

First Impressions:

Having escaped Breakout Greensboro’s five other rooms, we were told by the excited front desk staff that Do Not Disturb was not only the company’s newest room, but an example of the new direction that Breakout would be taking with their future rooms! Though we have enjoyed most of the rooms we’ve experienced at Breakout, a more technically focused and story driven room definitely sounded like a great step forward.

High Points:

Though still featuring basic letter and number locks, we could see that there was quite a bit more technological interactions to be had inside Do Not Disturb. The more theatrical production of the experience was certainly a new feature for the company, and the addition of a deeper story was a welcome evolution to their style. Many new and surprising interactions help the room become more immersive as we progressed, and lent a sense of mystery that can be lacking in more straightforward rooms. Once we began to twist further and further into the web of intrigue being spun by the kidnapper, a sense of urgency was fantastically portrayed, leading into an amazing climax and finale!

Low Points:

The room starts out slowly, which can lead to an enjoyable build towards a crescendo, but goes a bit too long and stumbles a few times before the adventure kicks into high gear. The aforementioned stumbles stemmed mostly from the times that the room contained highly specific clues that intentionally pointed us towards the wrong solutions, hanging us up even though we had solved the puzzle itself. Some players may also be put off by a certain complication during the end of the room. A highly linear experience, the room provided a good challenge for 3-4 players, but the maximum of 8 will be way too many to keep everyone engaged for most groups.

Verdict:

Do Not Disturb is an entertaining step forward for the Breakout brand, and though it does have it’s faults, I’m looking forward to how this new design philosophy shapes future rooms for the franchise! Definitely a lot of fun, I’d recommend beginners and enthusiasts alike giving it a shot! Chase down the kidnapper at your local Breakout here!

7.5/10 (Good)

Full disclosure: Breakout Games provided discounted tickets to our group.