LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Photo above is property of PanIQ Room Chicago
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: Wizard Trials
📅 DATE PLAYED: December 29, 2021
🎬 GENRE: Wizardry
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 7/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl (Ages 10+)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins
💰 PRICE: $35.00 - $49.00/ pp (pending on group size)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
You’ve been training as a wizard’s apprentice, and now you must prove yourself worthy of advancement by passing a test. Left alone in your master’s room, he’s given you a task: find his cat. You’ve got one hour to show him what you’ve got, earn his respect, and finally graduate to become assistant wizard.
Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
On your way into the room, each burgeoning wizard gets to select their own ‘magic’ wand. With assorted colors to choose from you can pick the one that speaks to you.
Once inside, the decor is atmospheric and creates a convincing wizarding world. It’s easy to imagine a great wizard occupying the room, toiling away at the desk.
The "Wizard Trials" includes a range of puzzle types, including a 3-D maze, pattern recognitionS, and audio (our game master mentioned there used to be an olfactory puzzle in the room, but they had to rework it due to Covid). The puzzles were varied and modern with well integrated technology.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
I have to work hard to find faults with this room, but there were a couple of puzzle mechanics that we stumbled over: There was one piece of the set design that we were completely convinced was part of a puzzle, but it wasn’t. We missed the clue on one of the puzzles (because we were unobservant apprentices, not because the clue wasn’t good!) and we were able to circumvent the puzzle by simply trying all the possible options. Also, we found the input on the final puzzle a little finicky, enough so that we second-guessed ourselves and asked for a hint that told us we were on the right track.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
Absolutely, the wizard theme is enchanting, the puzzle assortment is fresh, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. We booked on the spur of the moment and none of our team had prior experience with this franchise so we weren’t sure what to expect, and we had a ton of fun. I’ll definitely go back and do other rooms at the Logan Square location the next time I’m in the neighborhood.
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Street parking available.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
(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"!)
Update: We also visited PanIQ Escape Room & Lounge Las Vegas and played "Wizard Trials" and "The Haunted Manor" in August 2022!!
Disclosure: We thank PanIQ Room & Lounge Las Vegas for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
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