Tag: Escape in 60

Escape in 60 – Egyptian Tomb (Review)

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Location: Charleston, SC

Players:  2-8 (We recommend 4-5)

Price: $28 per person

Time to Escape: 60 minutes

Unwilling protectors of the tomb!

Theme:

You are the loyal servants of the Pharaoh, who has just passed on into the Duat, and as is tradition when the Pharaoh dies, you are to be sealed within the tomb as well, so that you may serve him for all eternity! Not feeling quite so loyal anymore, you and your fellow servants are determined to escape. But you’ll have to act fast, as not only is the tomb being sealed, your oxygen within the burial chamber is running out fast! Figure out the ancient riddles, and find your way out before you find yourself on the path to Anubis as well!

First Impressions:

Egyptian Tomb is Escape in 60’s newest room, and it definitely shows within it’s set design. Excellently designed props and puzzles littered the room, and felt as though it was full of secrets to uncover. We could not wait to get started! Our favorite GM ran us through the rules again and we were off to the races!

High Points:

As previously mentioned in our review for Davy Jones Locker, the rooms at Escape in 60 really capture the vibe of some of my favorite online and app based escape rooms. Egyptian Tomb is no exception, and includes more technology, as well as custom made keypads in order to present a sense of magic when solving the puzzles within. I really liked the implementation of these unique keypads, which were able to replace the use of traditional locks in clever ways, as well as present brand new puzzle types we hadn’t yet encountered! Solving the game slowly opened up the room unexpectedly and displayed an excellent use of the space provided. Set design helped to conceal secrets perfectly, and was also Escape in 60’s best and most immersive set yet! Props included were excellent additions to the game, and a certain puzzle we’d seen a few times was made more interesting via it’s presentation. The experience is mostly linear with non-linear branches, but keeps the whole group entertained with it’s breadth of puzzle types and inclusion of fantastic hints you’ll have to scour the room to discover!

Low Points:

Game flow in this room included much less connective tissue than other rooms at Escape in 60. Though you want the game to have a sense of mystery and not be overly clear in order to present a challenge, this game crosses the line into being a little bit obtuse at times. One particular puzzle relies on a fairly vague clue that was clearly decipherable once we took a hint, but beforehand was very difficult to spot, some clearer direction might help immensely. Another puzzle that relies on a sense that isn’t usually used is presented in a great way, but does not allow for a method to “reset” between identifications. There is a red herring that was included which seemed like it would’ve been a lot more fun as a full fledged puzzle, and another that used to be part of a puzzle, and provided for what sounded like a much cooler solving method, but had been removed, while references to it were still included in the room.

Verdict:

Egyptian Tomb is a very good puzzling adventure with a few hiccups here and there that, when corrected, could help the room really shine. As it is, though, it’s still an excellent time, including clever puzzles, a beautiful set, and a lot of fun interactions within the ancient tomb! I definitely recommend giving it a shot. You can book your breakout from the tomb here!

7.5/10 (Good)

Full Disclosure: Escape in 60 provided comped tickets for our game.

Escape in 60 – Davy Jones Locker (Review)

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Location: Charleston, SC

Players:  2-8 (We recommend 4-5)

Price: $28 per person

Time to Escape: 60 minutes

Down to the depths with ye!

Theme:

Blackbeard has attacked the Charlestowne coast, and as a crewman for the colonial navy, it is up to you to help your ship repel the barrage of cannonfire! Unfortunately, Blackbeard proved too much for you and the rest of the crew, and he has trapped in a sinking ship with no way out! Luckily, a previous crewman has left behind some puzzles to help you escape! Break out in an hour, or sink to the depths of Davy Jones Locker!

First Impressions:

Escape in 60 was the first ever escape room business I visited, years ago! I’ve always enjoyed going back, and there is a certain charm to the historic building that they are housed inside! On my most recent trip to visit family in Charleston, I decided to swing by to check out their only room I hadn’t experienced, Davy Jones Locker, and was also informed that they’d opened a new Egyptian Tomb room which we were invited to try as well! I was excited to see how the experience held up after 150+ rooms of experience!

High Points:

As a bit of background, even before I started doing live escape rooms, I started playing escape room games online as far back as 2000. This little hobby has endured and flourished over the past 18 years, and live escape games really blew my mind when I started this journey! One of my favorite things about Escape in 60 is that more than any other experience, their rooms capture the feeling of those early online escape games the best. Puzzle rooms with fun themes, interesting logic, and set pieces that open unexpectedly were the hallmark of those games, and they’re well exemplified here! Davy Jones Locker is Escape in 60’s easier game, geared more towards new players, but we still had a great time solving the riddles inside! The game flow moved well from point to point, and everything was explained in such a way as to preserve the mystery but not give away too much. Initial set design was well done, and made us feel as though we’d stepped into the hold of a rickety old ship. The room was more of an old school code and lock design, with a little extra technology here and there, but this didn’t detract from the experience, in fact, it was one of the better classic rooms I’d experienced! Game Mastery was excellently done, and as always, the customer service at Escape in 60 was amazing!

Low Points:

One puzzle involved a directional lock that had become a bit sticky, causing us to disregard the correct solution at first due to it not working a couple times, which caused a little more confusion than normal, but when we tried the code one last time, it worked. This is minor, though, and a new lock would easily fix this issue. One puzzle warranted a fair amount of explanation at the beginning, and though it was necessary, added a bit too much to the initial game master rules rundown, which could overwhelm new players. Luckily, as enthusiasts, we knew not to stick our fingers in the outlets and could focus on the new stuff! Finally, a few of the props had started to wear a bit, this being one of the older rooms on the lineup. However, we were informed that a overhaul was due for Davy Jones Locker, and this should be corrected soon! A small bit of outside knowledge was required with a particular puzzle, though the riddles involved weren’t overly taxing, but this could present a problem for some groups.

Verdict:

Although we escaped with over a half hour on the clock, we enjoyed every minute of our experience within the pirate ship! Enthusiasts might be better served by one of the more difficult rooms at Escape in 60, but beginners will really enjoy the challenge that Davy Jones Locker presents! A well tuned run of classic puzzles leading to a climactic escape is always a great introduction to the hobby. You can book your time escaping Blackbeard here!

8/10 (Great)

Full Disclosure: Escape in 60 provided comped tickets for our game.

Escape in 60 – Prison Escape (Review)

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Location: Charleston, SC

Players:  2-8 (We recommend 4-5)

Price: $28 per person

Time to Escape: 60 minutes

He’s comin’! Let’s get outta here!

Theme:

It’s the 1970’s, and you’re stuck in prison. Luckily, an old cellmate of yours broke out recently, and left a few clues as to how to escape for you, you just need to wait for the best opportunity to break out. Unluckily, it seems the clues lead through the Warden’s office! He’s currently making his rounds, but will be back in an hour, and after suffering one embarrassing escape, he won’t take kindly to another attempt!

First Impressions:

Escape in 60 is situated in the heart of Charleston, in one of the rustic buildings on Market Street. Their open air lobby is inviting, and the staff is very helpful. The Warden’s office was an unassuming, but convincingly laid out room, and we could tell there were many surprises  in store for us. After being given a quick briefing, we started our breakout.

High Points:

The room is laid out as a prison warden’s office in the 1970’s and has some great antique but sturdy props around to carry that vibe. Puzzle threads are non linear, and there is plenty to work through for larger groups, as well as a good bit of variety in puzzle types. There are a few surprising technological interactions that are used sparingly and add to the mystique of the room overall. The ultimate puzzle is highly intuitive, but not so simple that it can be solved immediately. Clues were hidden well, but not unfairly, and the story wove throughout the room in a cohesive way. I enjoyed a prison escape that took place outside of the cell, which is the usual escape room standby.

Low Points:

The hint system was hit or miss, and while some hints nudged us well, others felt too vague. The cluing between solutions and inputs was vague at times, and in others unintentionally clued towards the wrong area. Some puzzles felt a bit less polished than others, which led towards a slightly uneven flow through the middle, but were overall well done.

Verdict:

Prison Escape is very accessible for new players, while still holding a fun challenge in store for enthusiasts. An interesting storyline, along with tactile and time period appropriate props help make this a great starter room, while still being stimulating for those who’ve escaped a few times before. Book your break from the Warden’s office here!

Full Disclosure: Escape in 60 provided comped tickets for our game.

8.5/10 (Great)

Escape in 60 – Ransom (Review)

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Location: Charleston, SC

Players:  2-6 (We recommend 4-6)

Price: $28 per person

Time to Escape: 60 minutes

Hello, Escapers, I want to play a game.

Theme:

Your son has been kidnapped, and the kidnapper has trapped you in his bedroom in order to teach you a lesson for being absentee parents! (Which fits, I didn’t even know he existed until being locked in…) You have an hour to solve the puzzles he’s laid out for you and find your son before it’s too late! For obvious reasons, this room is rated as 18+ on Escape in 60’s website.

First Impressions:

Walking into the dark, creepy room set the tone well, and a SAW-like video from the kidnapper immersed us even further. The tone of this room is set perfectly from the moment you begin. The room is laid out as a child’s bedroom, and it is done perfectly, nothing feels out of place, and the haunting soundtrack will spook you at perfect intervals.

High Points:

Ransom is an amazing room, from the previously set tone, to the wealth of interesting puzzles, there is something to do for everyone, even at maximum capacity. It is a rare feat, and Escape in 60 should absolutely be praised for it. Each puzzle follows the child’s room theme, and they build well in difficulty and complexity throughout. Several creepy surprises add to the overall immersion and will keep your party on their toes throughout the experience. This room demands teamwork, but is not so overwhelming that it becomes impossible to complete. Two puzzles add in some great thrills when solved, and provide perfect feedback when completed. While not being scary, per se, Ransom excels at keeping the experience intense and exciting.

Low Points:

It eventually ends. The only trouble we had was one puzzle interaction that felt as though there wasn’t quite enough cluing to understand the solution organically.

Verdict:

Ransom is an amazing escape room that should absolutely be tried out by anyone interested in room escapes in the Charleston area. This room blends story, puzzles, and setting to create an experience that thrills throughout. Even though the room has one of the darker themes I’ve played through, it is handled well, and manages to create a room that really sticks with the player long after the puzzles have been solved. Book your time being held ransom here!

 

10/10 (Sublime)