Studio Escape - "Dark Zen"

Updated: Apr 23

LOCATION:  Osaka, Japan

Photo above is property of Studio Escape

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Dark Zen
📅 DATE PLAYED: March 3, 2019
🎬 GENRE: Mystery
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 3/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-4 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: ¥3,500/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

Until the end of the 19th Century, this site was home to the DAIKOKU Monastery. The Room you're about to enter was home to the most infamous monk in the history of the order... BONTA NAKAMURA. Whilst still in training, BONTA began experimenting with a dangerous form of meditation known as "Dark Zen". It was believed that Dark Zen could be used to bend the laws of space and time. Despite warnings from the other monks, BONTA continued practicing Dark Zen in secret. But when the head monk found out, BONTA was locked in his chambers whilst the other monks discussed his fate. After an hour it was decided that BONTA was to be banished from the monastery. But when they unlocked BONTA's room to tell him their ruling... BONTA had vanished without a trace. This room has been preserved exactly as BONTA left it a century ago. Many have tried to uncover the secrets of Dark Zen and the whereabouts of BONTA NAKAMURA, and it's believed that he left some clues behind, but to this day it remains a mystery. Good luck.

Video above is property of Studio Escape

* The YouTube video above is when the brand name of Studio Escape was Escape Osaka. The brand name has changed, but the rooms are still the same.

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The set design of the rooms is pure Japanese style. It really felt like a room in a Japanese temple!
There are Buddhist statues and Japanese paintings in the room, and the accessories used for decoration are classic Japanese tools.
There are many puzzles using Japanese traditional tools is good. Nice mix of tech and Japanese atmosphere.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

Honestly, the room size is small. However, the atmosphere in Japan is very good and the storyline is great so I still very much enjoyed the room.
There was one puzzle that was difficult to conceive, so we used a hint.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan. The location of Studio Escape is close to the commercial areas of Osaka and is easily accessible. Parking is scarce at this location, so we recommend going by train. I don't think you will have any trouble finding accommodations.

Osaka has great food (takoyaki, skewers, mixed juice), so enjoy them all! The room of STUDIO ESCAPE is very interesting even though the space is quite small. The unique traditional Japanese atmosphere is really unique. You won't be disappointed! Our recommended size of this room is 2–3 people.