Trapology Boston - "Crush Depth"

Updated: Apr 12

LOCATION:  Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Photo above is property of Trapology Boston

Photos above are property of Trapology Boston

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Crush Depth
📅 DATE PLAYED: December 29, 2021
🎬 GENRE: Submarine
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 PPL (Recommend 2-6PPL)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $38-45/PP
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

You are touring an old submarine that is rumored to be haunted by its former captain, who was murdered by the crew, when the lights go out…the captain’s ghost is convinced you are the ones who murdered him and is attempting to sink the ship and you with it! You have to figure out how to escape the ghost’s wrath and make it back to the surface alive!

Video above is property of Trapology Boston

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

Trapology really sold the scene with an immersive set and props! It was every bit as weathered and militaristic as you might expect a decommissioned sub to be. The set dressing was extensive and riddled with puzzle components which were quickly distinguishable from non-functional set dressing. This created a detailed scene without adding any frustration. Overall, the set and props were extremely cohesive and well executed.
The puzzles themselves were also highly thematic, with the exception of one cryptex (and who doesn’t love a cryptex?). There was a really nice flow to the game, with a good variety of puzzles and satisfying solves. We liked that there were some things you discover early on that don’t actually come into play until the end of the game. For the most part, everything just worked as it should, and it felt like a very clean design that was just fun to play.
There is an unforgettable highlight to this room. When we first saw the possibility, we both initially thought, “Surely, we won’t actually get to do that?” But we did!
Trapology staff were fantastic all around. Initially, Crush Depth was not listed as available to play, but with a quick call they were happy to switch out a booking slot for a different game so that we could play this one. They are also accommodating in allowing 2 players to book this game. There is technically one puzzle that requires three, but they allow you to simply tell them what the other person would do and manually trigger the result. During the game itself, our GM, Mike, was great as well! He didn’t even make fun of us for one really dumb mistake…You can tell that they have a real passion for their rooms and the industry, and put a lot of love and fun into their work. They even give you the option of a printed copy of your victory photo (in addition to a digital version), which makes for a fun memento.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

There is very little that is sub-par in this game. We had a minor issue where we lost a few minutes towards the end with one puzzle that was a bit fiddly; we had completed it correctly but needed to go back and wiggle things a bit to trigger the outcome.
After all of the excitement, anticipation, and build-up to an incredible moment, the actual ending felt slightly anticlimactic. There could have been a little more drama after the final puzzle to round things out.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

If you’re in Boston, there’s no excuse not to play this game. The clean design, immersion, and one extremely memorable moment really made this a stand-out game for us. The satisfying mix of well-crafted puzzles (which should pose a challenge even for seasoned players) makes it easy to stay focused and soak in the atmosphere of Crush Depth. While this might not be the best room for really small kids, it is fairly family-friendly and could be great for kids 10+ that are into puzzles. The availability of unlimited hints makes it accessible for groups of beginners looking to have an unforgettable experience. Based on this first game experience and the awesome staff, we can’t wait to check out some of Trapology’s other offerings next time we’re in town!

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

There is a bathroom available and a lobby on each of their floors with some games, seating, and things to look at. They are accessed by either a very small elevator or stairs. Trapology’s closest train stations are: Boylston on Green Line, Downtown Crossing on Red Line, or Chinatown on Orange Line.