Escape Plan Ltd - "The Adventure Begins"

Updated: May 2

LOCATION:  London, England, United Kingdom

Photo above is property of Escape Plan Ltd

Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: The Adventure Begins
📅 DATE PLAYED: March 7, 2024
🎬 GENRE: War, History
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 75 Mins.
💰 PRICE: £28/ pp (£65 minumum)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

You are fighter pilots shot down and captured in 1941 and now imprisoned in a P.O.W. camp. Thankfully, you’ve made friends with a sympathizer who has agreed to provide a distraction for the guards while you try to escape! But their ploy will only occupy the guards for the next 60 minutes…you’d best hurry! You find the journal of Bob Hails’ - the only prisoner to ever successfully escape. Can it lead you to freedom?

Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

Escape Plan says they tend to design with enthusiasts in mind (though they have some ability to simplify gameplay for less experienced groups), and I enjoyed both the construction and solves of many of their puzzles! They’re known for creating many of their own wooden “combination” boxes and other tactile, mechanical components. For the most part, we found these to work very smoothly and be highly enjoyable. There was one puzzle in particular unlike anything I’ve seen. There are a fair number of traditional combo locks as well, but they are well sign-posted so as to determine which code belongs where. Our GM, Sarah, was also fabulous - providing an appropriate nudge where needed but not over-hinting.
The story was inspired by the owners’ own family history; their grandfather was indeed a fighter pilot whose plan was brought down and subsequently escaped a P.O.W. camp during WWII. This personal component made what could feel dark or exploitative come across as heartfelt and respectful.
The furnishings and environment (including the outer waiting area where you get your orientation) are all well-themed. The GM provides a number of low-tech effects to enhance the immersion in a charming way. Though, evidently I missed at least one, being too engrossed in a solve to pay sufficient attention to the environment.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

I misjudged a few times what was fair play - being too delicate in pushing on one piece (and assuming I needed to do something else to open it) and inadvertently getting into a real electrical box in the floor. (Thankfully, I asked to be sure before I started pulling on wires!) These things could both be fairly easily prevented with a little signage or info in the initial briefing.
While I loved the origin of the story, as with many rooms, there was no real development over the course of the game. We were also told that we needed to block the doors whenever soldiers came knocking to check on us, which I didn’t totally understand within the story. I do enjoy this kind of extra component to feel a bit more immersed! However, we found it a bit confusing sometimes with the sound effects as to which times we needed to actually block the doors, and ended up doing it a few extra times.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

I’ll admit that the 1940's wartime theme didn’t initially appeal to me, and I might have passed it up if I hadn’t heard such great things about Escape Plan. But I’m so glad I went! I encourage you to give them a try, even if the theme isn’t quite up your alley (and all the more so if you’re a history buff). It’s a fun room for enthusiasts and can be simplified in some ways for newbies or family groups. While the setting is a P.O.W. camp, there is nothing that would be particularly unsettling for kids (aside from some loud noises). The highly tactile, mechanical components feel fresh and in line with the time period, the puzzles flow well, and the friendly staff help to bring it to life. A visit is definitely recommended if you’re in London!

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Escape Plan is housed within Rich Mix, a non-profit artists’ collective of sorts, where you can also see films and other shows! It is just a couple minutes walk from the Shoreditch Tube Station. They are generally able to adjust their rooms to be wheelchair accessible (with the exception of their newest offering); contact them in advance to confirm.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

Check out our interview with the owner to understand more on the development side of these games:

Video above is 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 Plan Ltd. for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.