Escape In Time - "Amarna Letters"

Updated: Apr 9

LOCATION:  Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Photo above is property of Escape In Time

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Amarna Letters
📅 DATE PLAYED: August 20, 2022
🎬 GENRE: Egyptian
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 6.5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 1-8 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $115-185/TEAM (pending on size)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

Queen Ankhesenamun has gone missing! King Tut is very worried and has decided to sent you on a mission to find her. What clues might you find locked up in her quarters?

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

A lot of research has been put into the design of this room and you can tell from the props that they've decided to use. The statues, painting, jars, and the numerous cool locks that we discovered during the game felt like we were in an Egyptian museum exhibit.
We were surprised by how some of the locks or hidden compartments opened during the game. It was all manual (which fit with the timeline) but very unique in terms of the build.
There was an interesting twist in the latter part of the game, literally. It took us out her quarters and made us feel like we've been transported into another setting.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

Some items needed to be bolted down and updated.
This room was pretty heavy on the "search and find" component.
One puzzle felt a bit too long and would probably occupy most of that player's time if he/she was going to be the designated solver for that puzzle. It would be a shame for him/her to miss out on the rest of the room. We suggest cutting that translation puzzle down a bit in terms of length.
A decor in the latter part of the game didn't fit in with the timeline. Perhaps Egyptian doors might fit better with the theme?
One of the solutions was really easy to guess the answer without having to solve the puzzle (at least for enthusiasts). It might be best to pick a different word to enforce the player to have to solve a puzzle instead of just taking the obvious one.
We weren't sure what we had to do in order to complete this room. If there was a place for an "input" or a more definite instruction at the beginning, that will help.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

This room is stated as their most difficult room. I do believe the "search and find" aspect of the room will take up a good amount of time (unless you are good at it which we're totally not). Just like their Captain Morgan room, they've incorporated a lot of history in the storytelling. You actually feel like you learned something after completing the game. Escape in Time build all their games in house. Although most of their rooms are not high tech rooms, it does fit well with the time frame they're aiming for. If you're looking to travel through time, they have 5 different themes (with a new one on the way) for you to choose from. Make sure to treat yourself to one of their yummy ice cream cones if you successfully escape this one! You deserve it!

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Free parking lot right in front (underground parking, when you see Ace Hardware, it's right underneath it)
Lobby with seating area
Ice cream shop attached to the escape room location (can host parties)
Two kids escape rooms (can host parties)

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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 In Time for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.