Escape Reviewer

Puzzles: ✭✭✭✭✬ 4.3

     Challenge: 4.5

     Logic: 4.5

     Abstract: 4.0

Before I discuss the ins and outs of this room, I feel the need to comment on the presentation on the back-story. In a city of room escapes that are geared predominantly towards the French-speaking population, A/Maze has provided one of the most entertaining back-stories I have ever heard, and in English no less! I can’t stress enough how refreshing it was to have an employee with a short, rehearsed storyline to present a nice interesting story, rather than stumbling through just a few key points.

 

Prison Break begins in a very fun and exciting way, which I cannot go into more detail about for fear of spoiling the experience for others! Players are forced to fight for their freedom with nothing but the shirts on their back. Note to future prisoners, don’t take that shirt off your back! During our escape, one player (it was me…) thought it would be a great idea to try to attain an item by taking off my shirt and swinging it at the object. Not only did this not work, but putting my shirt back on proved to be quite difficult. I ended up topless, wearing only a prison bandana for a good chunk of the escape! Yes, that happened.

               

Anyhow, the puzzles were all logical and nothing required any real prior knowledge to solve. We only had an issue with one puzzle. I’ve included this issue in the abstract category of the room score. If solved as intended, this puzzle is interesting and fun. Unfortunately, it can be solved incorrectly (as we did) which lead to some pain and safety concerns. We discussed afterward with the A/Maze staff, a method for solving this issue. Even though this problem doesn't occur all that frequently, we believe that slight changes could be made to prevent any possible safety risk.

              

Other puzzles were very fun, linear and logical. One puzzle that helps you determine the real criminals (the backstory is that you are being framed!) was a great novel use of a classic logic puzzle! These puzzles were mostly in line with the theme of the room. The prison theme is presented quite nicely through the details around the room. Surprises, while not the best we’ve seen, are existent and can be very fun if this is one of your first escapes! Overall, this was a solid room and one of the better ones that we played in Montreal!

Reviewed by Evan on July 13, 2015