LOCATION: West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
Photos provided by Bates Motel Escape Rooms
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: The Tomb
📅 DATE PLAYED: March 1, 2021
🎬 GENRE: Adventure
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 1-10 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins
💰 PRICE: $29.95/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
Legend has it that archaeologist E. A. Budge discovered the hidden tomb of Ani while exploring the ruins in the Valley of the Kings, In 1888, Budge never resurfaced and he was declared trapped inside and died due to starvation. If you and your team are able to find Budge's knapsack, there are maps and tools inside that will help you locate Anibus' treasure room. Do you have what it takes to find the treasure and escape "The Tomb"?
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
The set design for "The Tomb" was amazing. Although, Bates Motel Escape Rooms has a tremendous amount of space to work with, they really know how to utilize it well! The Sphinx was gigantic, but Anubis was about the size of 2-story building! With the combination of lasers and smoke (you can even smell that ancient tomb aroma through the mist), we felt like we were on a movie set filled with special effects. They really went the distance in regards to the level of detail and materials used (there's real sand!).
We love storylines that have an epic adventure tale to it especially when it involves archaeology! Who doesn't want to play the role of Lara Croft (Tomb Raider), Nathan Drake (Uncharted), or of course the legend himself... Indiana Jones? With this backstory, you're presented with 3 objectives - (1) find archaeologist E. A. Budge, (2) with his maps and tools, find the treasure, (3) find a way out! The set design for "The Tomb" provides the perfect exhibition to complete your experience!
Let's talk puzzles! As discussed in my interview with the co-owner - Randy, "The Tomb" is extremely high-tech with only one real key. There were some really unique physical puzzles that were cleverly incorporated into the set design allowing you to actually feel like an adventurer!
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
There was a physical challenge in the first room that was a bit difficult to maneuver. Normally, we apply the 2-finger rule and this required a little bit more elbow into it. Most enthusiasts would probably attempt to solve it, but then decide that it's not the right answer if too much force is required. I would recommend making it a little bit more user-friendly.
The prop used for a riddle puzzle could have been better designed. It felt confusing to be able to only utilize partial of the answer choices when all choices were present. It felt like 50% was already eliminated for us.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
Bates Motel Escape Rooms is an interactive entertainment center that currently has 4 escape room games, a laser tag arena, axe throwing and rage rooms! On this trip we only had time for 3 of their escape rooms "The Tomb", "Bates Manor", "and "Countdown". Hopefully we'll have a chance to return to play "Revenge of the Serial Killer" in the future. They started off with haunted attractions and later expanded to create Bates Motel Escape Rooms. With their haunt background, all of their set designs were top notch. "The Tomb", it feels an exhibit at the Museum of Natural History! We were instantly transported to another realm. This was probably our favorite out of the 3 games that we've played here! You'll feel like an archeologist in a tomb filled with surprises. Check out our reviews of "Bates Manor" and "Countdown" as well!
Additional Info
Parking lot available
Lobby with waiting area
Laser Tag
Rage Rooms
Photos/ Videos are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
(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 Bates Motel Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
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