Reviews

Puzzlair 2 - Room Escape Review in Bristol

Posted on: 2015-12-07

Even though you know it?s ?only a game? and is all health and safety checked, etc, you can?t help but be apprehensive and possibly a little intimidated at the prospect!

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This evening I was lucky enough to be thrown into a room with 3 other people and be given 60 minutes to escape with no obvious way of getting out. Here’s how it went…

Let me preface this ‘review’ by saying that by the very nature of Puzzlair, and other ‘escape games’ of the like, you can’t really talk specifics or mention any real detail without giving away at least some small detail. That’s a very real point to be aware of – even giving away the slightest thing here might just give you the key, either figuratively or literally, to escaping from one of their games. That’s how trying and challenging these things are.

Gabor is the most genial of hosts and gives a great intro to the whole experience. Now they have two premises thanks to their huge success, you might well have the same experience with Judit who is equally adept at not only making you feel welcome but also building a little tension through, frankly, being so calm about what you’re about to encounter.

I don’t know about you but the thought of being locked in a room with a clock ticking and only cryptic clues to solve in the hope of getting out…uhhh…’gave me the jitters’, let me put that nicely. Even though you know it’s ‘only a game’ and is all health and safety checked, etc, you can’t help but be apprehensive and possibly a little intimidated at the prospect.

On entry to the room with my 3 comrades we were faced with locked boxes and a bookshelf of various items. A very brief intro sheet is offered but only serves to give you a back story of what you’re facing. I’ll admit, and I’m sure my friends will also happily acquiesce, that for the first two minutes we didn’t have a clue what to do or quite what was going on. From there you naturally get to simply rummaging around! You’ll come up with a few options along the way and from there you’ll have to figure it out for yourselves. Believe me when I say it’s killing me not to tell you what I just experienced.

Luckily, our hosts made sure we knew to look EVERYWHERE, and be very thorough in our search. These rooms aren’t impossible and they’re not out to trick you…actually, that’s exactly what they’re out to do. Red herrings, false hope and second-guessing all play a not insignificant part!

Suffice to say that by the end of the game we were all very much a team and all very much ‘in the game’. I’m a hugely cynical person when it comes to absolutely anything, so for me to step into a room in Bristol and be told I have 60 minutes to get out, despite clearly marked fire exits, and then for me be COMPLETELY taken in is testament in itself for those that know me.

I simply can’t recommend this highly enough. With Christmas coming up, and the gift-cards they offer, it’s a perfect gift idea for the more difficult to buy for recipients. Equally, it’s an option for a festive get-together you might not have thought of yet - all ages are catered for.

Immersive, all consuming and entertaining – this all leads to a feeling of immense accomplishment should you be lucky enough to escape. And yes, we did…with 1min 36sec to spare. Believe it or not that was a pretty great time apparently!

I wish I could tell you more, I really do, but you’ll just have to find out for yourself. Five out of five has never been so easy for me to award.

5/5

Reviewed by James Anderson for 365 Bristol – The leading events and entertainment website for Bristol

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