13th Gate Escape - "The Collector"

LOCATION:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Photo above is property of 13th Gate Escape

Photos above are property of 13th Gate Escape

📝  ETR DECODER

• 🔑 GAME: The Collector

• 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 26, 2024

• 🎬 GENRE: Horror

• 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl): 6/10

• 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-9 ppl

• 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.

• 💰 PRICE: $32.00/ pp (Min. 4 ppl required)

• ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

• 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [56:00]

📖 THE STORY

As you regain consciousness at the bottom of a dark, damp well, memories of a strange encounter with a broken-down van and a mysterious stranger come flooding back. You recall stopping to help the seemingly innocent bystander fix his vehicle, only to find yourselves captured and dropped into this ominous pit. With no clear idea of your whereabouts or the intentions of your captor, panic sets in as you realize you have just sixty minutes to escape before your fate is sealed. Can your group overcome the odds and navigate the sinister depths of the collector's house to secure your freedom in time?

Video above is property of 13th Gate Escape

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

• The room's wow factor is truly remarkable. Despite the simplicity of its large space, the scenic design, coupled with atmospheric lighting, creates an immersive experience that truly makes you feel like you're trapped at the bottom of a well. However, as you progress through the subsequent rooms, the ambiance shifts to that of an empty house, evoking a sense of eerie discomfort, albeit lacking the initial shock of the first room.

• Several puzzles in the game stood out as particularly enjoyable, with two involving pipes being the highlights. Their solutions were not only engaging to decipher but also provided a sense of satisfaction upon completion.
  

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

• The room's linear design proved to be a double-edged sword, with gameplay suffering at times due to its four-player minimum requirement. There were instances where only part of our group was actively engaged in solving puzzles, leaving the rest with little to do but wait. While this may not pose a significant issue for beginners, it left experienced enthusiasts wanting more in terms of challenge and engagement.

• Many of the puzzles felt repetitive, revolving around the tedious task of finding four-digit codes. These codes seemed disconnected from the overarching story, diminishing the immersion of the game. As our group encountered more and more of these similar puzzles, we couldn't help but feel a sense of fatigue from the repetitive gameplay loop.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

The initial impact of The Collector is undeniably striking, immersing players in a larger-than-life room that perfectly aligns with the narrative. The sense of wonder and amazement upon entering this space is palpable, setting high expectations for the rest of the experience. However, as players venture further into the game, the set design loses some of its luster, with subsequent rooms failing to maintain the same level of immersion and attention to detail.

Despite being categorized as a beginner-level game, The Collector presents challenges that are surprisingly complex and engaging, challenging players to think critically and work together to solve puzzles. However, the linear nature of the puzzle design and the step-by-step progression through the game can sometimes lead to moments of frustration, particularly for more experienced enthusiasts who may crave a greater level of complexity and variety.

That being said, The Collector still offers moments of excitement and enjoyment, with some puzzles requiring creative problem-solving and teamwork. While it may not reach the heights of some of 13th Gate's more renowned rooms, The Collector remains a worthwhile experience for those looking for an immersive escape room adventure. With a bit more refinement and attention to detail, it has the potential to become a truly outstanding game.

Photos above are property of 13th Gate Escape

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

• 4 Player Minimum due to puzzle design

• Free Parking Lot across the Street

• Beverages for sale

• Lobby with Lockers for storage during games

• Extremely Loud sounds and flashing lights

• Players should be able to crouch for the best experience.

• Lobby games available

• Meeting room available
  

Photos above are property of 13th Gate Escape

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BOOK NOW

(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)

Disclosure:  We thank 13th Gate Escape for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever.

#MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #13thGateEscape #Horror #Louisiana #USA