EZKAPAZ Manoir - "le Barbier"

Updated: Mar 15

LOCATION:  Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Photo above is property of EZKAPAZ

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Le Barbier
📅 DATE PLAYED: March 11, 2023
🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Time Travel
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-6 PPL
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: CAD $33.99/PP
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: YES

📖 THE STORY

The Ezkapaz Manor is a facade where escape rooms and immersion come to life. It was constructed in 1836 by one of our esteemed ancestors and is replete with intriguing features, including a hidden room that was stumbled upon during their recent restoration project. This secret chamber was concealed behind a thick brick wall and turned out to be a long-forgotten barbershop. The reason for its bricked-up state remains shrouded in mystery. According to rumors, it may have been used for experiments conducted by Lord Cadavera himself (the owner of the manor). Adding to the enigma, the room emanates an intense magnetic field that frequently disrupts nearby computer systems. Just what lies behind that secret door and why are you going to the barber shop?

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

It's refreshing to see escape rooms explore unique themes that are executed well, such as the barber shop theme in this particular game. The creativity and innovation in the industry truly shines when developers are able to bring new and fresh ideas to the table.
The game master/character in charge of setting the scene did an excellent job of immersing us in a mysterious world where a seemingly ordinary barbershop could hold secrets and intrigue.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

One of the puzzles in the game seemed to malfunction during our play-through, which caused some frustration
The final moments of the game fell short of our team's expectations, as we were left feeling underwhelmed by the conclusion after completing the last puzzle.
The hint system in Ezkapaz could have been more immersive to match the level of immersion created by the game. While it effectively helped our team progress through the game, we were hoping for a more creative and immersive system that would have added to the overall experience.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"le barbier" at Ezkapaz is a standout among the escape room industry, with a theme that is unlike anything I've ever seen before. The attention to detail is impressive, with the set design capturing the essence of a barber shop from the past. The puzzles themselves are varied, catering to different skill sets and interests, ranging from physical challenges to observational and logic-based puzzles. Solving them felt satisfying, and the game never felt too easy or too difficult.

However, while the puzzles were enjoyable, the finale didn't quite live up to our expectations. It felt a bit underwhelming, lacking the climactic finish that we were hoping for. Despite this, the game's "twist" did leave an impression on us, and its effects lingered throughout the rest of our experience at Ezkapaz.

Overall, "le barbier" is a challenging and fun room that will satisfy the cravings of any escape room enthusiast. Its unique theme and well-crafted puzzles make it a standout among the Montreal escape room scene.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Paid street parking
Located on second floor
Shoes are to be removed. Slippers are provided.
This game can be played in English & French

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