Entered - "Demise of the Gricers"

Mike Schnurr

1 day ago6 min read

LOCATION:  As, Belgium

Photo above is property of Entered

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Demise of the Gricers
📅 DATE PLAYED: January 21, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Horror
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 2/10, PHYSICALITY (Based on 4 ppl): 8/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-5 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 200 Mins.
💰 PRICE: Starting at €120/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

This game doesn’t just start when you step inside—it begins the moment you sign up. Upon registering for this four-hour-long epic experience, an email arrives, immersing you in the world before you even arrive. The email details your mission and introduces the strange and devoted group known as the Gricers—an eccentric, train-worshiping cult determined to restore train travel as the dominant form of transportation.

Locked away inside an abandoned train yard, the Gricers have turned their headquarters into a labyrinth of secrets, rituals, and mysteries. Your task? To infiltrate, explore, and uncover the truth about their grand vision. But you’re not alone. An informant embedded within the cult will be your guide, helping you navigate the chaos and uncover what truly lies beneath their fanatical devotion.

This isn’t just an escape room—it’s an expansive, narrative-driven adventure that blends immersive theater, puzzle-solving, and exploration into one unforgettable experience.

⏳ THE EXPERIENCE

This experience begins the moment you arrive at the designated meeting point. In the car park, you and your team will meet your informants and prepare to enter the world of the Gricers. This is a highly physical game, and each player will be outfitted with coveralls, knee pads, and helmets—essential gear for the intense challenges ahead.

While the game is designed to push participants outside their comfort zones, accommodations can be made for players with mobility limitations through an in-story narrative. However, the creators encourage players to attempt all challenges before utilizing these accommodations.

Most of the time, the game takes place at night, in near-total darkness. The lighting is carefully designed to enhance the experience without hindering gameplay. Some areas are deliberately dark, adding to the tension and immersive nature of the adventure.

Players can choose between a 2-hour and a 4-hour version of the experience. The shorter version delivers a complete and cohesive narrative, but the full 4-hour game is where this experience truly shines. It transcends traditional escape rooms, blending action, adventure, puzzle-solving, and immersive storytelling into a cinematic, video game-like experience. The extended version allows for deeper exploration of the world, interaction with the environment, and experimentation with the game’s intricate mechanics. If you're unsure which version to choose—step outside your comfort zone and play the full 4-hour experience.

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The main mechanic of this game delivers an incredible mix of joy, terror, and adrenaline—an experience so impactful that even after leaving, players can still hear the echoing numbers in their minds. Without revealing too much, this core element creates unforgettable tension, turning each moment into an emotional rollercoaster that wouldn’t be the same without it.
The storytelling is just as powerful as the gameplay itself. This is a game that rewards full immersion—players who allow themselves to be swept up in the world will find themselves in a constantly evolving adventure. One moment, it’s a puzzle-solving experience; the next, it’s an obstacle course, an action sequence, or a theatrical performance. The seamless transitions between these elements keep players on their toes, making every twist and turn feel natural and unexpected.
The emotional depth of the experience is undeniable. The passion and creativity of the game’s creators shine through every detail, making it more than just a game—it’s a story that players get to live. Some moments are so well-executed that they evoke genuine emotions, even bringing players to tears.
The acting and improvisation are next-level. The performers don’t just deliver scripted lines—they react to players in real time, shaping the narrative based on the group’s choices. In a game packed with high-energy chases, strategy, and fast-paced action, it can be difficult to retain every detail of the unfolding story. The actors masterfully weave in moments where players can pause, breathe, and absorb the narrative before diving back in. These personalized interactions create a dynamic experience that feels uniquely tailored to each group.
The moment the game ends, the first thought is: “Can we play it again and see what happens if we make different choices?” There is no wrong way to play this game. Every decision leads to new possibilities, making replayability one of its greatest strengths.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

A lot of criticism surrounding this game has focused on its intense physicality, with some claiming that it borders on being dangerous. However, at no point did our group feel unsafe. While the game does require a high level of movement and exertion, the physicality is an intentional part of the experience.
Proper preparation makes a huge difference. If players dress appropriately for the environment—wearing weather-appropriate clothing and gear suited for running outside in a train yard—the challenges become much more manageable. The game’s design encourages stepping outside your comfort zone, but it never forces players into anything beyond their limits.
For those concerned about the physical demands, the game does offer in-story accommodations when necessary. However, players should expect to push themselves and embrace the adventure. The movement isn’t just an added challenge—it’s integral to the immersion, making every moment feel more real and engaging.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"Demise of the Gricers" is a four-hour-long experience that felt like it passed in just 30 minutes. Time has never flown by so quickly for me and my group. The game's ability to unfold organically, driven by our choices and actions, made every moment feel engaging and immersive. We never quite knew where the story would lead, but that uncertainty only heightened the excitement.

What truly stood out was how well the game catered to different playstyles. Players who enjoyed intellectual challenges had plenty of intricate puzzles to solve, while those who preferred a more physical approach could take on action-oriented mechanics. This balance ensured that every type of player felt included and had a meaningful role in the experience.

The team at Entered also did an exceptional job of accommodating players when things became too intense. They found ways to adapt the experience to each individual's capabilities while still encouraging them to push beyond their comfort zones in a safe and controlled manner. One of our teammates, who initially had doubts about their ability to complete the game, was thrilled to find themselves fully engaged, breaking the experience into digestible segments, and ultimately succeeding in ways they hadn’t expected.

For anyone who has ever wanted to step into the world of an action-packed video game, this is your chance. I highly recommend playing at night for the most immersive atmosphere—it adds a layer of tension and excitement that simply can't be replicated. There is truly nothing else like this that I have played before.

As an American visiting mainland Europe, I can only hope that something of this caliber makes its way stateside. But honestly, I might just have to book another plane ticket just to play this again. And let’s be real—not just once, but probably multiple times.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Safety Gear Provided – Helmets, knee pads, coveralls, and other necessary protective equipment will be supplied. However, wear old clothes and sturdy shoes—you will be crawling, climbing, and getting dirty.
Read All Emails & Waivers Carefully – The emails and waivers contain crucial details about what to expect and how to prepare. Do not skim over them!
Arrival Instructions – There is a recommended parking lot for all players, whether you're driving or not. Upon arrival, stay in your car until the game begins—you will know when it's time to start.
No Running Water on Site – When we played, there were no available bathrooms due to ongoing work on the facilities. While they may fix this in the future, assume there are no restrooms and plan accordingly.