Escaperoom Groenlo - "1627"

LOCATION:  Groenlo, Netherlands

Photo above is property of Escaperoom Groenlo

Photo above is property of Escaperoom Groenlo

📝  ETR DECODER

• 🔑 GAME: 1627

• 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 5, 2024

• 🎬 GENRE: Historical

• 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 7/10

• 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-6 ppl

• 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.

• 💰 PRICE: €120/ 3 ppl, €130/ 4 ppl, €140/ 5 ppl, €150/ 6 ppl

  ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

• 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

Back in the early 17th century, the Dutch city of Groenlo was occupied by a Spanish invading army as part of the 80 Years’ War. As Groenlo had long been viewed as a stronghold of great strategic importance, the Dutch amassed 20,000 soldiers outside the walls of the city, led by Prince Frederik Hendrik. By completely encircling the city, they could cut off any outside aid and begin their siege. You and your friends are currently inside the city walls, under the rule of the Spanish invaders. You have overheard news of a Spanish plot to murder Frederik, which would damage the morale of the liberation army. You are told of a secret tunnel that leads outside the city walls…can you find the tunnel and get out of the city in time to warn Prince Hendrik, saving him and the city?

Video above is property of Escape Room Groenlo

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

• The intro video is entertaining and does a fabulous job of setting the scene, using footage taken during the biennial reenactments of the Battle of Grolle. A lot of time and thought were put into it, and it’s one that we’ll remember.

• While the accuracy of the murder plot is hard to ascertain, the rest of the story is completely true and a point of great pride for Groenlo. As such, this room provides a most entertaining history lesson on the local area and a key turning point in the 80 Years’ War.

• The decor (and virtually all puzzle components) are hand built and machined with great skill and care. The rustic nature of the room itself is historically appropriate (and also belies the difficulty of the puzzles you'll encounter).

• The puzzles shine in this game. They’re often challenging and unconventional, with a dash of humor!

• While there is a bit of modern tech hidden in the walls, most of the magic is done via cleverly designed mechanisms that will bring out your playful side, generating highly satisfying moments of disbelief and excitement.

• This is a room that builds momentum as you progress - the experience becomes more engrossing and challenging, the puzzles more perplexing (while remaining logical), and the payoffs more rewarding as each success builds upon the last.
  

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

• Nothing in the actual room fits here… it is a room that does everything well and has no real weakness. While this game is absolutely fully playable in English, Escape Room Groenlo is still working to translate some additional aspects. Such components include the intro email (which Google Translate interpreted best when German was selected) and a large number of pre-recorded, in-character hints currently available in Dutch and German. However, your fluent GM can still easily provide hints in English themselves if needed.
  

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

As we were planning our Netherlands escape room tour, we weren't sure about going all the way to Groenlo for one room - there are many amazing rooms in the country, and only so much time. Fortunately, we decided to go, and found ourselves in one of the truly great rooms we've ever done. It may not have some of the more dramatic immersive elements found in some of the country’s other top rooms, but it absolutely delivers a top-notch experience for puzzle-lovers while impressing with its mechanics and authentic surrounds. It is challenging, so perhaps not a good room for first timers, but if you've had some experience and are looking for a refreshing challenge that will remind you of the excitement you felt 'the first time', you must make your way to Groenlo. Hints are available as needed, but this is a room that looks to test your mettle - the stakes of the real Battle of Grolle were high, and you'll need to keep your wits about you to save the Prince. And even if you don't finish in time, the owner thoughtfully takes the time to show you what you missed, ensuring that everyone will get to experience all the confounding contraptions and beautifully built mechanisms that make this unforgettable experience well worth the trip!

🔎 HINT

Think outside the box, but also investigate it thoroughly.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

• This room is tucked away in the city of Groenlo, with free parking available a few minutes' walk away.

• Having recently moved, some of the entry areas were still under construction when we visited, and the entrance was down a small alley. (Plenty of info is provided in the pre-game email.)

• They have bathrooms in the reception area as well as drinks for sale, and plenty of space to store your things.

• To play, there are steep stairs and someone will need to crawl, so mobility is important.

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

#DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscaperoomGroenlo #Historical #Groenlo #Netherlands