Escape Reviewer

Design: ✭✭✭✭✩ 4.2

     Idea: 4.0

     Details: 4.5

     Features: 4.0

Creativity: ✭✭✭✭✩ 4.2

     Novel: 4.0

     Comprehension: 4.5

     Surprises: 4.0

Puzzles: ✭✭✭✭✩ 4.0

     Challenge: 5.0

     Logic: 4.0

     Abstract: 3.0

Escape Games Canada’s second room remodel! Syndicate, a remake of Le Voleur de Diamant, was such a successful upgrade that I was more than happy to get out to play Crossroads. Here's what you should know about this room:

 

If you have done End of The Line:

 

1. Despite the description of this game and End of the Line being almost indistinguishable from each other, Crossroads is a very DIFFERENT experience! This is not just a re-name of End of the Line.

2. The basic framework of this room and the theme remains indistinguishable to that of its predecessor. The room layout and most of the decorations remain unchanged. So if you’re expecting a completely new design, don’t be too surprised when you feel like you have been there before.

3. Existing puzzles have been updated and modified, and new puzzles have been added. When it comes to puzzle solving and getting out on time, having already played End of the Line won’t help you (much).

4. Just like its predecessor, this room relies heavily on communication for larger puzzles. Teamwork, communication and lateral thinking are key to a successful escape!

 

Overall: While this is not the huge and elaborate upgrade to End of the Line I was hoping for, it does the job. You will see the same sets and room layout from before, but the puzzles are very different. This eliminates a bit of the ‘wow’ factor that we love to see, but it's still fun nonetheless. You will have a good time regardless having already completed its predecessor!

 

If you have not completed End of The Line:

 

Congrats, this is your first time in this room, meaning you get to experience it in all its glory! The idea and details are done really well, immersing you into the theme of an abandoned subway system. One of the sets in this room is still amongst my favourites! This is a moderate difficulty level room. The puzzles, for the most part, flow well without any logical leaps or prior knowledge requirements.

Re-Release Thoughts:

 

One of the puzzles was slightly abstract, requiring some trial and error. However, it was definitely solvable (and maybe not absolutely necessary – but I can’t say anymore). Additionally, one of the earlier puzzles had a task that seemed a little nonsensical, albeit not overly abstract. Those two aside, the rest of the puzzles all ran smoothly – one even made my teammate's top personal puzzle list! Some of the re-release changes were very positive ones including tech upgrades, however, I personally felt that there were a couple changes that didn't seem to work as well, specifically a small dip in puzzle quality. If you have already played End of the Line, you may find yourself not as enthralled as before, mainly due to having already seen most of the set. If you haven’t already played End of the Line, Crossroads is a very fun game. The setting and details throughout the escape are incredible. Overall, this is a very fun escape and I definitely recommend it!

Reviewed by Evan on March 28, 2016