Cryptic Characters - "Containment Breach Z"

Updated: Mar 13

LOCATION:  Edmonton, AB, Canada

Photo above is property of Cryptic Characters

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Containment Breach Z
📅 DATE PLAYED: January 28, 2023
🎬 GENRE: Horror, Zombie
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 6 ppl): 5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 6-12 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: CAD $35PP/$24.50PP (Post-Secondary Students)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

As humanity’s final hope, you and your team of top scientists make your way to the laboratory, seeking to create the cure for the devastating zombie contagion that emerged. As you all make your way to the entrance, a horrifying turn of events occurs – half of your team becomes overwhelmed by the relentless zombie horde, transforming into zombies themselves. Can you, as the scientists, race against time to devise the cure before the persistent zombies break through the door? Can you, as the relentless zombies, manage to breach the defenses and devour the scientists before the antidote is born?

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The rooms were set up to interact with each other as they each had “sabotage” puzzles that would allow you to disrupt the other team momentarily. The timing of each was nice as it caused a minor annoyance but not enough to completely derail the game. Each room also had a progress tracker that allowed you to see how well the other team was doing to keep the competitive levels up.
The set design was flawless, each room capturing the intended atmosphere whether it was the science lab or the break room. Nothing stood out as out of place where each lock seamlessly integrated into the theme.
The GM, who dressed up in character, set the ambiance of the room to immerse us fully in the intense story.
The puzzles were well clued and made sense. It was very clear in each room what should be used. The flow of the puzzles also made for a great experience with a few easy, quick hit puzzles to ones that took many steps to get us to the final solution.
One minor thing is that the lockers have phone chargers in them which is a nice touch.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

There was a puzzle reset button that was out in the open. Though we should have read the label, in the middle of all the excitement we pressed it couple of times, not realizing it set us back. A cover on it could have avoided the confusion.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

Having only done a handful of team vs. team escape rooms before, this is what they all should aspire to be like. Both rooms were completely different but did have an even puzzle flow to them. Initially, we had booked this room for a single play-through. However, our immersion in the game and our intense competitive spirit had us stay and play a second time, swapping sides (fortunately, there were no bookings right after us.) The puzzle flow was non-linear and had a solid mix of quick easy puzzles that one person could solve and more difficult ones that required the whole team to work out. The set design of the rooms was perfectly executed as everything was integrated into the room and made to belong right down to the last combination lock. We played with 6 total, 3 on each team and found that it allowed us to see everything and stay involved but can also see having up to 5 on each side and still have a great time. Any zombie fans or anyone having a competitive spirit would love this game and even if not, this is a game everyone should play.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Free Street Parking
Lobby with Seating Area
Wheelchair accessible, First Floor
Chocolate bars and water available for purchase
Phone chargers in the lockers
"Containment Breach Z" is a team vs. team escape room where you compete to see who can complete their room first, the zombies or the scientists.