The Final Door Escape Room Columbia - "The Vampyr"

Mike Schnurr

Sep 27, 20243 min read

LOCATION:  Cayce, South Carolina, USA

Photo above is property of The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: The Vampyr
📅 DATE PLAYED: July 13, 2024
🎬 GENRE: Horror, Vampire
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 9/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $32.99/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

You and your team of skilled contractors and monster hunters have been hired by a wealthy nobleman who recently acquired an old mansion atop a hill in the local village. Unfortunately for him, the mansion is plagued by a vampire. Your contract stipulates that you must eliminate the vampire before it awakens. It’s up to you to navigate the mansion, uncover clues, and find a way to dispatch the creature before it turns the tables and disposes of you.

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The game masters excelled in setting the stage and immersing us in the narrative from the moment we arrived at the mansion. The adventure begins even before you step inside the manor, as finding the key to break into the mansion becomes a puzzle in itself.
The creepy, old manor vibe was perfectly recreated, with authentic details like dust and cobwebs adding to the atmosphere. One of the standout elements was a unique scent-based puzzle involving blood, which was specially tailored to our group.
Receiving hints in this game was an experience in itself, adding to the fun without giving too much away. To get a hint, you had to literally take a “shot,” making the process both interactive and entertaining.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

There was a riddle in the room that felt somewhat out of place and required outside knowledge of vampirism to solve effectively. A symbol-matching puzzle or another clue to guide players might have improved this aspect of the game.
Additionally, this room is known for being one of the hardest in their lineup, featuring several puzzles that could potentially become time sinks. Adjustments to streamline these challenges or offer clearer hints could enhance the overall experience.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

The multi-story building used for "The Vampyr" is expertly crafted to create an immersive and atmospheric experience, fitting perfectly with the vampire theme. The intricate design of each room and space enhances the feeling of being in a gothic mansion inhabited by a vampire. However, while the setting is well-realized, some puzzles within the game did not fully support the storyline or contribute significantly to the immersion. These puzzles, although not poorly designed, could have been better integrated to enhance the thematic experience.

The game requires a high level of communication and teamwork due to the large number of puzzles. This necessitates that players work closely together, sharing insights and strategies to navigate through the challenges. Despite the need for coordination, the volume of puzzles adds complexity and depth to the experience.

The conclusion of the game provides a memorable and enjoyable ending scene. Successfully escaping and dealing with the vampire is both satisfying and entertaining, rounding off the experience with a dramatic and engaging finale.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Crawling is required for at least one member of your team
Restraints used for part of the game

Photos above are property of The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the owner, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more:

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

BOOK NOW

(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 The Final Door Escape Room Columbia for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.