The Great Escape Room Challenge - "Murder Mystery: Missing in Blue"

LOCATION:  Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA

Photo above is property of The Great Escape Room Challenge

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Murder Mystery: Missing in Blue
📅 DATE PLAYED: May 9, 2024
🎬 GENRE: Murder Mystery, Detective
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl (Ages 18+)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins
💰 PRICE: $30.00/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

You've been assigned a case for a missing officer. What do you think you'll discover at his home? Where could he have gone? You're gonna need a miracle to solve this one...

Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The storyline is what intrigues the player to keep playing the game. The finale gives a twisted ending that only a lucky few will be able to discover.
The set design was staged like a crime scene where clues are left behind by the officer for the players to find and analyze.
There is a dramatic scenery change (if you get to see it) that is an impactful ending to the storyline.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

There are WAY too much information given to the players in this game. A lot of the information might be related to the backstory but because there's only one hour to play the game, it's very difficult for the players to sift through them to see what's needed for solving a puzzle and what is just a red herring.
Directions are need for many puzzles as to where to input answers (too many lock boxes and keypads to try them on), what clues to use for them and in what order to input the answers in.
It is already very difficult to see in the dark so finding things would be more difficult. There shouldn't be too many "search and find" elements in this game.
There is a audio puzzle that requires a fairly complicated deduction process. We suggest having a print out instead of having to share a small audio device
This game is too linear. For a game with so many puzzles you need to be able to have players be able to do different things at once. Or else the group is bound to fail.
Some decor in the room doesn't make any sense to the storyline.
The ending felt anticlimactic. We were hoping to have a more dramatic way to presenting the conclusion as it is a "shocking" discovery.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

The GM has already warned us that this is their most difficult game with a 1% escape rate (even with hints, we didn't get to finish until a bit past 1.5 hours) . Not many people would even see past their second room. We felt pretty bummed about that as this room has a great story concept and the last room is the one that should be revealed to all the players for that "wow" moment. We have given a lot of suggestions to the owner so hopefully this game will be able to be improved with a much better game flow for players to have a better chance to get to the finish line.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Free parking right in front
Lobby area with seating available
Merchandise available for purchase
Adults 18+ only. Some content and setting is not suited for children. This game is played in the dark with flashlights. This challenge is not recommended for individuals who have trouble seeing/playing in the dark.

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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 Great Escape Room Challenge for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.