Lockout Austin - "CSI: Murder at the Asylum"

Updated: Apr 7

LOCATION:  Austin, Texas, USA

Videos/ Photos are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: CSI: Murder at the Asylum
📅 DATE PLAYED: August 9, 2019
🎬 GENRE: Detective, Crime
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 10PPL
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins
💰 PRICE: $27.50/PP
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public/Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

Video above has been provided by Lockout Austin

We arrived at Lockout Austin next and there’s plenty of parking right in front of this facility. There’s also ramp for handicap accessibility as well. While waiting in the spacious lobby, there’s plenty of puzzles available on the tables for you to tackle before your actual game.

Currently there are 5 games at Lockout Austin and we’re trying out their “CSI: Murder at the Asylum” game today. We were paired with a group of college kids and two of them played escape rooms before but most of them did not. They played very well with us knowing that we’ve played a good amount and was very respectful when asking us to confirm if they were doing things “right”. We loved stepping back and giving some hints here and there and seeing their minds work. It was a fun experience being paired with a group that's very enthusiastic about the game and very competitive about getting out in time.

The storyline of the room was that there was a mysterious murder that happened at "Pinnhurst Asylum". We were called in as a forensic team to investigate the murder but in an hour federal agents are going take over. We must beat the clock and solve the mystery! As we entered, the room was set to look like an office space and a waiting area. There was a game master in character to explain the game to us and that’s always appreciated to set the tone of the story. The deduction method of play by utilizing different puzzles forensically was done very well in this room. We have played a few other rooms with the same theme before and we liked the game flow of this room as it’s very clear and made sense. The set design could use a bit more of an eerie decor since it is an Asylum. We did like the twist and how the story played out at the end as a strong ending is always important. We also enjoyed that there was no repetitive puzzles and not too many red herrings in the room. There was one part we got stuck since it was pretty hard to notice.

We did get out with some time still left on the clock. This is one of their older rooms at this location and we are curious what their updated rooms are like as most of the locks in this room were traditional. We did not get to try their newest room “Area 51-2”, but we did get to take a look at it (click on our YouTube video for a sneak peek inside) and we’re very intrigued by the set design and what surprises it holds. So I guess we’ll have to make a trip back to Austin soon!

** UPDATE - We regret to inform you that "Lockout Austin" has closed its doors.

(If you do decide to try this room, please remember to let them know that "ESCAPETHEROOMers" sent you!)

** We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but you want more info like if the room is a multi-room or what other additional tips we can provide to you, feel free to email us.

Disclosure: We thank Lockout Austin for comping our tickets for this game.

Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.