Escape Reviewer

Puzzles: ✭✭✭✭✩ 4.0

     Challenge: 3.5

     Logic: 4.5

     Abstract: 4.0

Toys is a fun, family friendly 45-minute escape about being locked in a room filled with toys and technology. The toy room escape theme is the first of its kind in Ottawa, albeit not unique in other cities. However, Lockdown's design team has helped make this room stand out from the others. Upon entering, players will notice a bright and visually appealing room decorated with familiar games and objects. In fact, the staff mentions how one of the stand-out features of the room took countless painstaking hours to create by hand! It's a bit of a marvel to behold. As of this review, the floor seemed a little barren, however the staff assured us that they were looking into filling it with more decor in the near future. Even though there aren't too many special features found in this escape, the ones that they do have are fun and surprising.

 

Toys' biggest strength is in its creativity and unique puzzle design. Two of the puzzles early on are really fun to solve, using items in unique and interesting ways. One of the larger puzzles is a blast to work through with all of the team members cooperating together. The only puzzle that seemed a little abstract was one near the end, although it could probably be easily solved with some trial and error. Unfortunately, similar to Area 51, many red herrings can be found throughout this escape. Since Toys is a little bit on the short side, there seems to be a lot of potential for converting some red herrings into creating some extra fun and intuitive puzzles!

 

Overall, the many strengths of this escape definitely outweigh its few weakness. Lockdown has created a really fun experience with superb design and unique puzzles. I recommend Toys as a great escape to play for the whole family!

Reviewed by Mitch on October 6, 2015