Escape Barrow – Abandoned Factory

Escape Barrow – Abandoned Factory
Location: Barrow-in-Furness
Game Date: 01/09/2018
Team: Amy, Ian, Sera & Sharan

Theme:
“A terrorist known as Dr. Malcolm threatens to blow up various locations in the city unless you will play his twisted riddles and challenges. The intelligence has sources from the informants to locate the hideout place of Dr. Malcolm after the previous bombing attack. Rumor has it that Dr. Malcolm is plotting another bombing and is hiding in an abandoned factory. You have finally located the factory but you are trapped inside while Dr. Malcolm has fled the premises. You have 60 minutes to escape the room before the bomb detonates. The clock is ticking and you have to find the key that leads you to freedom.”

This room suffers from the fate of most “Escape Room” brand rooms, it was dark… and bare… and minimal… and pretty uninspiring. The room gave an abandoned feel, but immersion wasn’t great. The darkness hampered game play, we were provided with torches but I feel with The Escape Room that darkness is an unnecessary step in making the room more difficult.
The room was large enough for 6 people.

Game Play:
A strictly linear game made up of almost entirely logic puzzles. Good never the less, with one meta-puzzle being excellent and a real collaborative, team effort, with each of us having our own role to play in the execution and solving of the puzzle. A real highlight due to its complexity, I could see novice teams getting quite immobilised at this point!
The puzzles were logical, and had nice ah-ha moments, especially the aforementioned meta-puzzle!
Flow was good, nothing too slick or sticky. Signposting was minimal and there were no massive leaps of logic.
A good room for newer teams wanting to try something a little harder. Just be aware of the linearity, take a smaller team.

Clue System:
The game host enters the room to give clues.

Game Host:
Simon was our game host, and he was wonderful. Very chatty and friendly and cared a lot about the escape industry.

Did we escape?
Yes, in 49 minutes

Website: http://www.theescaperoom.co.uk
Price:
2 Players £44
3 Players £60
4 Players £72
5 Players £80
6 Players £90