Escape City Buffalo - "Over The Falls"

LOCATION:  Buffalo, New York, USA

Photo above is property of Escape City Buffalo

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝  ETR DECODER

• 🔑 GAME: Over the Falls

• 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 16, 2023

• 🎬 GENRE: Nautical Crisis

• 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 5/10

• 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-10 ppl

• 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.

• 💰 PRICE: $32.99/PP

• ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

• 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

You and your crew are piloting a freighter along the Niagara River when you are attacked by Canadian pirates!! They steal your precious cargo, disable the ship, and leave you adrift, being pulled towards Niagara Falls. You will be swept over the Falls in one hour unless you can get the ship operational and out of there!

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

• This ship looks and feels like the real thing! The monochromatic below-deck environment is dimly (but adequately) lit and built largely of metal, giving it substance and grim authenticity.

• Many of the tasks involved are directly related to things you might actually do on a ship, rather than 'find the code and open the lock'. This thematic approach enhanced the immersion created by the realistic environment. It also gave the opportunity for lots of hands-on interactions, with plenty of crates/hidden passages to explore, knobs to turn, and ropes to pull.

• One puzzle really utilized out-of-the-box thinking and we really enjoyed the solution.

• As we moved through the various stages, there was a palpable sense of growing anxiety thanks to some incredibly realistic elements. This propelled us forward, helped us forget about a couple of early struggles, and led to genuine relief when we made it out!

• We appreciated some of the cooperative and physical aspects! In addition to an initial separation into two groups, a number of puzzles required us to work in concert as a team. There were also moments that relied on some physical dexterity, something rooms often overlook that gives different people a chance to shine.

• This is the first time we've experienced a real sense of urgency to GET OUT of an escape room.
  

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

• The game began a bit roughly. Several obstacles in the first stage suffered from minor design flaws that made them frustratingly difficult in unintended ways.

• There is a decent amount of searching (and a color-based puzzle) involved; while these are not inherently a problem, the on-theme low, sodium-replica lighting made these processes slower and more cumbersome.

• There's a good amount of "search and find" in this game that's quite difficult with dim light settings.

• The ending could have been more dramatic in terms of how the boat was stopped.
  

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"Over the Falls" is an action-packed room with an even balance of physical and mental challenges, that picks up steam as you progress. While those who are primarily interested in difficult puzzles might find this room a bit lacking, anyone who enjoys interacting with a well-designed set will appreciate the immersive environment. Along the way, it achieves a heart-pumping moment of intensity, without loud noises, jump scares, or similar tropes. You'll forget you're aboveground in this underwater adventure, so set sail for Buffalo City Escape today!

WARNING: THIS GAME CONTAINS MILD RESTRAINTS, HIGH HEELS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED & YOU MAY GET WET

🔎 HINT

Move swiftly and act decisively, as there is a lot to do!

Photos above are property of Escape City Buffalo

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Escape City Buffalo has free parking in a lot outside. There is a lounge area with seating and a vending machine. Both bathrooms and lockers are available, and there is also a “VIP” room you can rent out if combining escape rooms with food or a celebration of some kind. The lobby, lockers, and hallway are fully decorated in rust belt fashion, giving it a unique vibe true to Buffalo's past. Please note: If we have less than 4 ppl, the GM might have to bypass a puzzle for you.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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BOOK NOW

(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 Escape City Buffalo 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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