Mission: Escape - "Toymaker"

LOCATION:  Dietikon, Switzerland

Photo above is property of Mission: Escape

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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📝  ETR DECODER

• 🔑 GAME: Toymaker

• 📅 DATE PLAYED: December 21, 2024

• 🎬 GENRE: Thriller

• 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 6/10

• 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl

• 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.

• 💰 PRICE: 100-195 CHF

• ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

• 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (49:00)

• 
  

📖 THE STORY

You and your friends spent a magical evening filled with laughter and animated conversation. As midnight approached, you walked home together, the crisp night air carrying your voices and the warmth of shared stories. Suddenly, a sharp, startling sound shattered the stillness, pulling you from your cheerful reverie.

You stop and look around, realizing you’re in a narrow alley, standing opposite an abandoned toy store. Its dusty windows and faded sign hint at years of neglect. The noise echoes again, a sound like a cry for help. “Did you hear that?” someone whispers, their voice tinged with unease. “It sounded like someone needs help,” another replies.

Compelled by curiosity and concern, you push open the creaking door. The rusty hinges groan in protest, and a musty breeze greets you as you step inside. Dim moonlight filters through the grime-covered windows, casting eerie shadows over the forgotten shelves and scattered toys.

And then, in the heart of that long-forgotten store, your unexpected adventure begins...

Video above is property of Mission: Escape

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

• A Visual Treat: "Toymaker" is a visually striking game, packed with details and interactive elements. The toy theme shines through with shelves full of whimsical toys and a large surprise in the final room that’s sure to delight.

• Seamless Clue System: Like "Murder on the Orient Express", this game features a smart interactive screen that tracks your progress, displays the timer, and offers instant, ready-made clues at the push of a button. If more help is needed, the GM is always available. The screen also enhances immersion by introducing the story with a short, engaging video and wrapping up with a satisfying outro to provide closure.

• Thematic and Engaging Puzzles: The puzzles cleverly incorporate the toy store theme and even dip into fairytale folklore, adding an extra layer of charm. Most puzzles require collaboration, ensuring everyone stays involved in this linear game. Challenges include a mix of skill-based tasks, deduction, searching, and observation, keeping the gameplay varied and engaging.

• Memorable Finale: The game ends on a high note, delivering a thrilling combination of adrenaline and mild scares that left us buzzing as we exited.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

• Puzzle Enhancement: There were a couple of puzzles I would have liked to have seen developed further. For example, one challenge has you repeating the same simple dexterity task four times, which by the third iteration was already a bit tedious. It would have been better to use it once or twice and then incorporate a different puzzle to get the other two bits of information.

• Immersion Opportunity: Starting the adventure outside the toy store and having players work their way in would have added a layer of realism and heightened the sense of exploration, rather than beginning in the middle of the store.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"Toymaker" is a fantastic escape room that we highly recommend. The minor shortcomings did little to detract from what was a fun and engaging experience. Even with a team of four experienced players, we found plenty to do and enjoy.

While the game is marketed as “scary,” it leans more toward light suspense than true horror. Aside from a couple of jump scares, the environment is well-lit, and the tension remains fairly mild throughout.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

• There is one free parking spot available on site. In the immediate surroundings there are multiple other parking options, which need to be paid for.

• There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and a small selection of cold drinks for purchase

Photos above are property of Mission: Escape

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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 Mission: Escape for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.

#RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MissionEscape #Thriller #Dietikon #Switzerland