Sherlocked Mystery Experiences - "The Vault"
- Mike Schnurr
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
LOCATION: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photo above is property of Sherlocked Mystery Experiences
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: The Vault
📅 DATE PLAYED: January 24, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Heist
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-7 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 80 Mins.
💰 PRICE: €33/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
It all starts with a message from your informant. A cryptic text. A meeting point in a shadowy parking garage. Your mission? Retrieve the package and descend into the deepest depths of Amsterdam to unlock the secrets hidden within a heavily fortified vault.
Every step of the way, you must maintain your cover, blend into your surroundings, and navigate a web of high-tech security, cunning deception, and cleverly placed traps. The masterminds behind the vault have gone to great lengths to protect its contents, and only the most skilled operatives will have a chance at breaking in. Precision, teamwork, and quick thinking will be your greatest weapons as you infiltrate one of the most exhilarating and high-stakes heist experiences imaginable.
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
The game wastes no time in setting the perfect tone. From the moment you step into the heart of Amsterdam, the experience feels cinematic, immersive, and full of intrigue. The journey to the art gallery is more than just a location change—it’s a seamless transition into the world of high-stakes heists, where every detail matters.
One of the game’s strongest aspects is its gradual unraveling of your role in the story. Rather than simply being a team of thieves on a mission, you slowly uncover who your characters truly are and what personal motivations drive them. This careful storytelling adds weight to the choices you’ll face later, making them feel meaningful rather than just another game mechanic. By the time the pivotal moment arrives, you’ll be fully invested in the story and the consequences of your decisions.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
While the storyline and actions in this game were undeniably thrilling, we couldn’t shake the feeling that some of the plot points from the beginning didn’t fully tie into the finale as cohesively as we had hoped. It almost felt like two separate experiences, each engaging in its own right, but with a transition that wasn’t as seamless as the rest of the game.
One of the most anticipated moments—the iconic vault laser maze—was a fantastic concept, but the execution fell just a bit short of delivering the full “Mission: Impossible” fantasy. The lasers were not entirely visible throughout the space, forcing our group to guess their positions rather than maneuver through them with precision. While this didn’t make the puzzle unsolvable, it did take away from the cinematic thrill of the moment, which could have been even more spectacular with a clearer visual element.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
"The Vault" is an escape experience that makes you feel like the star of a high-stakes heist movie. From the moment you step into the heart of Amsterdam, you're drawn into an undercover operation that blends deception, strategy, and action seamlessly. The setting itself is a standout feature—breaking into a nearly 100-year-old vault adds an extra layer of authenticity that few escape rooms can match.
The game does a fantastic job of balancing cinematic storytelling with interactive gameplay, giving players the chance to step into their roles and uncover their characters' motivations. The puzzles are engaging, though some proved to be more challenging than exhilarating, occasionally slowing the momentum. The laser maze, a key highlight, had an exciting concept but lacked full visibility, making it harder to live out that perfect "Mission Impossible" moment.
While the roleplay elements were well-executed, they left us wanting a bit more immersion through actor-driven interactions. That being said, The Vault is an excellent introduction to the world of cinematic escape rooms, especially for teams of four. It offers a thrilling mix of strategy, storytelling, and spectacle that makes for a truly memorable experience. Whether you're a seasoned escape room enthusiast or a newcomer looking for a high-energy adventure, this is one heist worth taking on.
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
One player must be able to receive texts from a Netherlands Phone number
All players should expect to walk a bit and one player should be able to crawl short distances
No lobby however bathrooms can be accessed.
Can be played in Dutch and English
Located in the heart of Amsterdam. Parking garages available however HIGHLY recommend public transit
Photos above are property of Sherlocked Mystery Experiences
(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 Sherlocked Mystery Experiences 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.
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