May 73 min read

Operation Lockbox - "Rescue the Cup"

LOCATION:  Edmonton, AB, Canada

Photo above is property of Operation Lockbox

Company: Operation Lockbox

Game: Rescue the Cup

Country: Canada 🇨🇦

Language: English

Type of Game: Rental Gamebox 📬 (Need to be picked up or add delivery fee)

Genre: Family, Sports

Date Played: March 29, 2024

Difficulty (based on 4 ppl): 5/10

Size of Team: Unlimited

Time: 24 Hours (Which is the rental time, but recommended time is 60 Mins)

Price: $65 CAD (One day)/ $130 CAD (Two days)

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The NHL Stanley Cup has been stolen and the detectives have one suspect, Samuel Kroft, an assistant director of the Athletics dept at the local community college. Suffering from Chronic Sore Loser Syndrome (CSLS), he is the prime suspect. With the research provided, can you solve the puzzles and find the cup?

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Picking up the rental box, we got a full-sized hockey equipment bag with an envelope attached on the outside.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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After reading what was in the envelope, we got started into solving a puzzle to open the hockey bag. As we continued to access different areas in the bag, the game had a neat setup that made it feel like we were breaking into Samuel Kroft’s office. Though we were trying to save the Stanley Cup, this experience included a lot of other sports knowledge and references which we were allowed to look up and google. This made for a great overall sports themed game.

Operation: Lockbox likes to upcycle items for their games, and we found there was a lot in this game that was creatively used, either used as props, clues or having been turned into lockboxes. One thing we did notice was that they attempted to find a balance between set design and not including too many red herrings. We did get sidetracked a few times, focusing on stuff we didn’t need to but when we discovered what we needed, it did seem obvious.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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From the start, there were a variety of puzzles that had us all work together to solve. Some required knowing or looking up sports trivia, while others required us to find useful items to decipher clues. The game was set up in a linear fashion so it was easy for us to focus on what lock we needed to open. Operation: Lockbox also has a knack for making some cool low-tech locks and mechanisms for the game and this was no different. There were a few great “Wow” puzzles and how they gatekeep different areas was impressive.

How the hint system worked was that they provided us with a phone number that we could text when we were about to begin and they would be on standby for 2 hours if we needed hints (though if we messaged after the 2 hours, they would still respond but would probably take a little longer). For the times we needed a hint, our GM was prompt in responding and even though she was not there with us physically, she was helpful in nudging us in the right direction.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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"Rescue the Cup" was packed with so many high points, from the sports trivia to the clever locks to the up-cycled props. As a family activity, the puzzles were thrilling to go through together with enough to keep everyone engaged. The story was the right amount of entertaining and excitement for the kids. We played with 4 people which we found was a great number without getting in each other’s way. This game would be fun for any sports fanatic and perfect for anyone looking for a puzzling experience right in your own home.

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(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"!)