Locurio - "The Storykeeper"

Updated: Apr 6

LOCATION:  Seattle, Washington, USA

Photo above is property of Locurio

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: The Storykeeper
📅 DATE PLAYED: June 2, 2022
🎬 GENRE: Storybook, Magical
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-6 PPL
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 70 Mins
💰 PRICE: $40-65/PP (pending on group size)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

As treasure hunters extraordinaire, you have been summoned by a strange and secretive book collector to aid in the recovery of a precious missing artifact. Yet, this is no ordinary library, and you would never predict where your journey might take you…

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

This game truly immerses you in the story, from the entertaining in-game actors to the incredible set design and detail. We felt like we were whisked to another (incredibly beautiful and charming) world, and I loved seeing the child-like wonder on my friends’ faces (knowing it was mirrored on my own). There was also some very cool “easter eggs” hidden in some of the set pieces that clue and foreshadow parts of the game and a clear progression of the storyline as you play.
In between our oohing, awwing, there were lots of laughs (and one scream)! "The Storykeeper" is infused with whimsy, humor, and surprises. These come through not only in the character interactions and some of the puzzles, but also in the way that players are encouraged (but never required) to embody characters themselves.
The puzzles in this game were fantastic, varied, and often well-designed to encourage cooperation. There was plenty to keep multiple players busy, and opportunity for some players to solve independently. While we didn’t necessarily get them all right away, they were all clear and satisfying once solved, with none of the dreaded “guess-what-I’m-thinking” type of enigmas.
There was a few traditional locks in the game where thematically deemed appropriate, and some nice non-technical physical manipulations. In addition, there is a lot of underlying tech that is really well-integrated into the set design, resulting in magical effects that really heighten that sense of immersion.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

I am hard-pressed to come up with anything that missed the mark for our group (other than wishing it just kept going, of course)! However, there are a few things to be aware of that could be hindrances for some players. It is only for ages 12+ (with those under 18 needing to be accompanied by an adult). There is a small amount of crawling, so some mobility is required. There is an audio puzzle and one in dim lighting, so at least one member of the group should have decent hearing and night-vision. Finally, while I absolutely would not describe this as a scary experience, there is one mild jump scare (though I suspect there could be ways around that one if someone is particularly sensitive to them).

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

I absolutely loved "The Storykeeper"! It is no surprise to me that it was ranked by TERPECA (Top Escape Rooms Project Enthusiasts Choice Awards) as one of the top 50 escape rooms in the world, and it is one of my favorite games ever. The game play is smooth and satisfying, and the immersion is incredible. The attention to detail, dedication to creating transportive sets, unfolding of the storyline, creativity and flow of puzzles, and enhancement of the experience with entertaining in-game actors truly elevate this game. Another local escape room owner described it to me as “art,” and I have to agree! In addition to the overall caliber, the unique, whimsical theme is right up my alley. Assuming you are not limited by any of the factors discussed above, I strongly encourage you to head to Locurio and prepare to fall in love with the world that they have created!!

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

In addition to the main lobby with seating where you have your initial introduction, there is also a well-themed area attached to the game space in which you can leave your personal belongings while you play. There are bathrooms available. They also sell a local enthusiast passport! There is public transport access fairly nearby, or you can look for street parking. All of the people were incredibly welcoming, enthusiastic, and helpful. You can tell they love what they do!

🔎 HINT

If you don’t scare spiders far away, they will just come back.

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