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Writer's pictureCici Cao

Big Screen Escapes (Tannersville) - "Escape Like It's '99"

LOCATION:  Tannersville, Pennsylvania, USA

Photo above is property of Big Screen Escapes

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers


📝  ETR DECODER

  • 🔑 GAME: Escape Like It's '99

  • 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 28, 2024

  • 🎬 GENRE: Retro

  • 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5.5/10

  • 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-13 ppl

  • 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins

  • 💰 PRICE: $99.00 (2-3 ppl) - $396.00 (13 ppl)

  • ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

  • 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes


📖 THE STORY

Can you recall anything from the 90s? What about those wild parties? This time, you went overboard with partying and found yourself stranded in the suburbs with no way to return. Could a lost opportunity in love be the key to finding your way home?


Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers


🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

  • The room includes items such as cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and Pokémon/baseball cards as part of the puzzles, creating a nostalgic 90s atmosphere that truly immerses the players in that era. These objects may already appear like puzzles to Generation Z.

  • The visual puzzle presented at the start of the game was quite impressive.

  • This room is a Gen-1 setup featuring primarily locks and devoid of modern technology. It seems to align with the 90s theme we are in. My favorite element of the game was undoubtedly the old computer. Only those who experienced the 90s would truly understand and value the applications on it. It was fascinating to uncover the puzzles hidden within this device, which was once considered cutting-edge technology of that era.


🧩 MISSED THE MARK

  • At this stage, certain props in the room may need to be secured in place or replaced due to the wear and tear caused by the players.

  • The vintage phone that was used for clues in this game was a fun prop, but perhaps the GM could have a backup ready? We encountered a situation where, due to low battery, we were unable to call out for hints over the phone.

  • One of the areas that was meant to be a "secret reveal" needs to be redesigned since we were able to see it clearly without completing the intended task of uncovering it.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

Arriving in the US in the 1990s, I found myself reminiscing about the past as I explored this room. While searching for clues on the computer, the jarring dial tone brought back memories of the lengthy process of connecting to AOL back in the day. If you're looking to revisit your childhood memories, be sure to visit and see what they have in store. Big Screen Escapes is dedicated to maintaining their retro themes and intertwining the narratives of their rooms. For an even deeper trip down memory lane, explore their other location that will transport you back to the 1980s!


ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

  • Parking available on site

  • Lobby area features merchandise, games for sale, and a detailed leaderboard displaying recent completion times

  • A polaroid team photo is provided after each game

  • Complete the interactive video puzzles on the website for a discount code!


Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

 

Check out our interview with the creators to understand more on the development side of the game:


Video above is 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 Big Screen Escapes 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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