Escapologic – The Gateway

Escapologic – The Gateway
Location: Leicester
Game Date: 29/12/2019
Team: Amy & Ian

Theme:
“Close the gateway to another world of evil.

Since the late 1970’s a house on a small suburban street in Leicester has remained abandoned. The previous tenants, a family of three, disappeared without a trace.

Rumours quickly spread around the area, had they run away? Been murdered? Or perhaps something even more sinister had taken place?

The authorities could find no evidence of any wrongdoing but officers investigating the disappearance claimed the house gave off a dark energy and that they could not stay in there for longer than an hour.

Little did they know that hidden somewhere in the house is a portal to another dimension. A dimension of pure evil.

Now, over 40 years later, the same thing has happened again. A team of paranormal investigators known as S.P.R.I.G. (Supernatural and Paranormal Research and Investigation Group) disappeared while looking into the property and trying to find a way to close the portal.

As new members of S.P.R.I.G. it is up to you and your team to enter the house and finish the job of the previous team.
Upon entering you are locked inside and now time is running out! Solve the puzzles and find the gateway before its guardian, the eerie entity known only as Mr. Moon, gets to you.”

The Gateway was one of the most immersive games we’ve had pleasure setting foot in. A literal house had been created, and the dank dingy 70s vibe was perfect for the theme. This really felt like a house that had been forgotten and left to the ravages of time.
The room was so immersive and the ever-looming presence of the Gateway and Mr Moon could be felt throughout the game, I say “game” but The Gateway was more of an experience, and a journey into the unknown.
Creepy sounds and atmospheric lighting along with spooky tricks and scary treats led to an unbelievably real experience that will not terrify as much as 13utcher but will certainly leave you feeling on edge and very uneasy.
Space was never a problem within this game but there are moments of darkness and dim lighting.

Game Play:
A linear game that focuses on the whole experience rather than solely on puzzles, as Escapologic does so well. The puzzles are so well integrated into the story and theme of the room that you hardly noticed you’re “doing puzzles” as they are what you would do in the situation you’re in. The puzzles that were in the room were a mixture of searching, logic, observation and physical.
They were all perfectly logical and within the realm of the story, linked into the room with a grace and natural feel. All the puzzles had wonderful ah-ha moments and there was one puzzle that utilised something that hit me hard in the feels in from my childhood (ingenious and simple really but such a cool idea!)
The signposting was exquisitely subtle. With there being enough for the more experienced or astute to pick up but not that much to make the game too easy.
Flow was perfect, with the usual Escapologic flair suggesting where to go next (this ties into that subtle signposting) – the game never felt sticky or stagnant
A GREAT game that delivers spooky scares and a tense atmosphere, Gateway really works the sense of the unknown and delivers with a very impressive finale.

Clue System:
Clues were delivered via an old radio

Game Host:
Tara was our game host and she was fab, Escapologic really do have some fantastic, passionate hosts with so much character! Her brief was great, and clue delivery was timed to perfection

Did we escape?
Yes, in 29 minutes!

Website: https://www.escapologic.com
Price:

Off0-Peak/Peak
2 Players £45/52
3 Players £60/72
4 Players £75/88
5 Players £90/105