LOCATION: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
Photo above is property of Sauve Qui Peut
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
đ  ETR DECODER
đ GAME: Vortex Past
đ DATE PLAYED: September 14, 2023
đŹ GENRE: Fantasy
đ§ DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 Players): 7/10
đĽ TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 PPL
đ LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
đ° PRICE: CAD $30/PP
âď¸ BOOKING TYPE: Private
đ ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: YES
đ THE STORY
An ancient cave has been discovered with otherworldly elements that seem to be threatening the Earthâs destruction. You've been sent back to the past to decode the ancient symbols and uncover the timeless secret and save the planet. Can you follow the instructions left by the ancients and prove your worth by completing the gauntlet of tasks?
đŻ HIT THE BULLSEYE
The decoration and dressing of the set definitely transports you back in time and into a remote cave!
The elemental puzzle themes are befitting of an ancient civilization, and the word- free puzzling is a refreshing change.
The puzzles are complete lock-free, as well as being 100% hands-on, fully incorporating the theme of each into the design, execution, and solve. There was one particular interaction that we havenât seen before and found particularly fun and well-suited to that element.
𧊠MISSED THE MARK
Some of the symbols were quite similar to each other and a bit worn, thus hard to distinguish from one another.
The feedback system for understanding which portions of which tasks had been completed was a bit difficult to understand, leaving us occasionally confused as to whether we were doing something right but needed to keep going, doing something completely wrong, or finished with the task. And be prepared for some inconsistencies in whether things can/should be changed once a phase is successfully completed.
One task in one puzzle needs more than two people to be accomplished without frustration and contortion - if you play this room as a duo we recommend asking the GM ahead of time to assist you. (They should know what you are referring to, even though you won't!) This one was a major time suck for us!
đš TAKE A SHOT?
This is a great room for playful groups of adults and kids who love to work with their hands and experiment with objects! You should be prepared for some trial-and-error, and an experience that is light on narrative. The absence of locks is refreshing, and the unique nature of the challenges will delight both seasoned enthusiasts who have seen it all and people who aren't big into typical code-laden, lock-heavy rooms.
đ HINT
Completing this room requires true immersion in the tasks at hand!
âšď¸ ADDITIONAL INFO
Paid parking is available on the street immediately in front of the building. There is also a free public parking lot a couple blocks from the facility itself. Signage for Sauve Qui Peut is very clear, and there are a couple of restaurants and shops on the same block of this cute street. They have good-sized lockers and restrooms available in an otherwise sparsely decorated waiting area. All rooms can be done as French or English versions; however, the intro stories are only available in French. Our GM gave us short summaries of each room in English. You can have up to three hints to still be considered an official win; you can still ask for more beyond that.
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 Sauve Qui Peut 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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