One Hour Lockup - "Expedition Bermuda"

LOCATION:  Naarden, Netherlands

Photo above is property of One Hour Lockup

Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Expedition Bermuda
📅 DATE PLAYED: November 9, 2024
🎬 GENRE: Nautical Adventure
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl (Ages 16+)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 80 Mins.
💰 PRICE: €169,00/ team
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

Yet another ship recently went missing near the Bermuda Triangle. Stranger still is the fact that the ship recently reappeared, only it seems to be abandoned. For some reason, you've been tasked with recovering said ship…perhaps you're the only ones stupid enough to volunteer. Can you get the ship up and running, and then navigate it back to safer waters without disappearing into the Triangle yourselves?

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The set is constructed from authentic materials in order to make you feel like you are in a real ship, with nautical memorabilia and other location appropriate decorations. However, it is never confusing as to which items are set dressing and which are puzzle components.
In addition to the sights and sounds, pay attention to the smells! The owner and designers clearly put a lot of thought into details both large and small.
The audio and visual aspects of both the story and the hint system are humorous and fully developed, providing additional shots of entertainment along the way.
The room isn't technically listed as available in English yet, as the owner wants to tweak a couple final details. However, we found it to be not just playable in English but well-written and immensely enjoyable.
The challenges are built to encourage (and often require) communication and teamwork, which is appropriate as no ship of this size can be run by one person on their own.
The multi-faceted puzzles are logically constructed and challenging enough to be rewarding when solved. While there is minimal searching for objects, you will need to explore your surroundings fully in order to complete the mission.
The combination of tech and mechanics embiggens the experience and enhances the sense of being on the water.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

Early in the experience, we were working to complete a task without getting a response from the machinery. Shortly thereafter, it seemed to go on its own, and the task was completed. We forgot to ask the owner if this was a function of us doing things in the wrong order, or a glitch in the system. Either way, there is very little to criticize about this solidly built room!

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"Expedition Bermuda" is hugely entertaining to play, especially for well rounded teams that communicate well. There are plenty of puzzles to keep a group busy, and a smaller group will find it a bit chaotic but a lot of fun! There are a number of twists along the way, to keep everybody guessing. The theme has broad appeal, and the game is already one that we would recommend for a variety of players. The owner is also working on implementing additional adaptive difficulty components, which will further enhance the experience for different types of groups, from families to first-timers to enthusiasts. The passion and perfectionist tendencies of the owner shine through in this fabulously designed and implemented escape room that delivers on all of the classic fronts: entertaining story, thoughtful puzzles, realistic sets, and dramatic effects. Go play!

🔎 HINT

Keep things you've used in mind, as they may be relevant again later!

Photos above are property of One Hour Lockup

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

One Hour Lockup hosts three escape rooms, as well as numerous VR escape games.
"Expedition Bermuda" is not wheelchair-accessible.
There are lockers for your things, nice bathrooms, and a cafe for some treats before, after, or between your games.
There is free parking available in the general area, though (depending on when you're there) you might need to look a bit to find a spot.
The venue is also very near the fortified city of Naarden, another great option to check out and maybe grab a bite or a drink while you're here - and cross a moat or two!

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 One Hour Lockup for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever.