MindTrap Escape Room - "40 Thieves"

LOCATION:  Temecula, California, USA

Photo above is property of MindTrap Escape Room

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: 40 Thieves
📅 DATE PLAYED: April 21, 2024
🎬 GENRE: Arabian Nights
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 8/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-10 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $51.00/ pp (2 ppl) - $40/ pp (10 ppl)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

There is a special artifact of great value, kept safe by the merchants in a great open air market in Arabia. There is a group of forty thieves who are working hard to steal the artifact. They ransack the market nightly in search of the artifact and try to bully the merchants into giving it up. They’ve recently come through the market once again, leaving it a mess. The merchants are in search of trustworthy souls to bring the artifact safely to a new, more protected location. If you can prove your worth by repairing the damage and restoring the market to its former glory, perhaps you will be selected as the artifact’s future protectors!

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

Set and setting are simply incredible, with so much care and detail. Entering the room is to be transported to another (wondrous) land.
There are a couple of magical moments during the introduction to the story, before you even start, so pay close attention! We loved this unexpected component that started the game off with a wow.
As the room unfolds, there are surprising (but not at all scary) moments where the environment interacts with you in wonderfully unexpected ways. The puzzles cover a wide range of sensory experiences as a way to bring the sights, sounds, and smells of the market to life.
The room is very non linear, so there is always something to do - no standing around while one person figures something out.
This is a room where the work done to solve puzzles is completely analog, but the rewards are provided via seamlessly integrated, creative uses of technology.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

The beautifully varied, colored lightning of the market did make a couple of color-based puzzles trickier than they would've otherwise been.
There was one set of pieces that were worn (fitting for the scene), but it was difficult to discern if they were intended to be matched pairs or not.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

Yes! This wonderfully whimsical room with lots of surprises in store that will keep everyone busy and entertained. There are countless interactive things to do, such that this game will easily delight a bigger crowd, without feeling cramped in space. A great room for large groups, birthday parties, kids, or seasoned escape artists who are looking for an immersive experience that uses technology in unexpected ways. The skill and care of the creators is evident throughout, from the intricately crafted environment to the magical moments created along the journey. Absolutely worth the trip to Temecula to experience.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

MindTrap is easy to find, with clear signage and plenty of free parking.
They created their own goofy video to introduce people to the general rules of escape rooms - we enjoyed the clever creativity after seeing so many of the same style!
The small lobby has lockers, a bathroom, and some drinks and snacks - including Dippin' Dots!. Our GM was similarly friendly and engaging - just a great vibe overall.
They also have a variety of boxed puzzly escape and board games for sale and a party room for group events.

🔎 HINT

It's Arabia, so a seemingly ordinary carpet is likely to hold secrets aplenty.

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 MindTrap Escape Room for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.