LOCATION: Denver, Colorado, USA
Photo above is property of Puzzle Effect
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: Grim Stacks
📅 DATE PLAYED: August 30, 2022
🎬 GENRE: Magic, Fantasy
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5.5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 6 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $31.95/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
You heard rumors on the street that a mystical bookshop owner captured a creature that he was planning to use in order to take revenge against the Arcane Library. You have to stop this at once. You decide to sneak into the shop when the owner goes out to lunch. But you only have one hour...
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🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
Instead of having the game master explain the lock usage in the lobby, the prerecorded intro video did a great job with explaining the only locks that will be used in the room that you're about to play and how they worked. This is a great way to make sure all grounds are covered and that all the players received the same information every time.
The set design started us off in an alley way where our first puzzle was to try to break into the shop. This was a clever way to start the game rather than just placing us inside.
The shop was filled with spell books, wand boxes, magical creatures and more! It definitely had a Harry Potter vibe.
There was a physical puzzle where we had to use the wand that was different than the intended way.
The ending was quite surprising. It was a clever way of utilizing the story to create a "magical escape".
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
The intro video for the actual story could be done better with an actor in character or relevant footage to the storyline instead.
I understand the set design is in a shop and we should be able to see outside but it was a bit distracting when all we see are Muggles. Perhaps utilizing shades or posters would make the shop seem more eerie and mysterious since the owner is "shady" after all.
There were two spaces (an alleyway and a second room) that we felt could've been utilized more. Most of the puzzles were inside the shop. The second part of the game went by very quickly.
Although the decor was on par, we felt that there weren't too many magical moments that could have happened with some added lighting, fog, sound and/or special effects (especially towards the end).
There was a button puzzle that we thought could be better improved by having a certain logical reasoning behind the sequence rather than it just being randomized. For enthusiasts, it definitely made less sense but for beginners they might not mind it as much.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
This wizard themed room was on the easier side in terms of puzzles than the other games we've played in the past. There wasn't too much "mixology" or spells involved which is usually what takes up most of the time. From an enthusiast perspective, I wished there were more puzzles and bedazzling moments. It's a great beginner room and it'll definitely give you that opportunity to feel like a great wizard when you successfully rescue the creature from captivity!
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ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Free parking lot right in front
Merchandise for sale
Lobby area with seating 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"!)
Disclosure: We thank Puzzle Effect (Denver) 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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