LOCATION: McHenry, Illinois, USA
Photo above is property of Twisted Limits Escape Rooms
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: The Passage
📅 DATE PLAYED: November 20, 2022
🎬 GENRE: Exploration
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 PPL): 7/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins
💰 PRICE: $40/PP
☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
A mysterious company called ONERIOS has engaged you and your team to investigate a paranormal site. Another team had been doing scientific research below ground and reported discovering a mystifying artifact tied to an unfathomable passageway right before all communications were cut off. Your assignment is to explore the caves, find their equipment, and retrieve the artifact. You must retrace their steps, wherever they take you!
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
The most noteworthy aspects of "The Passage" are in the set design. Upon entering the game, you find yourself in an underground cave. The atmosphere is cool and believably carved out of rock. You even hear the sound of water running underground in the distance.
The room’s designers were clearly ambitious in their plans. As you turn the corner, you see that that water sound is coming from an audacious water feature—which is topped by an even more impressive set element later in the game that will make your head spin.
The 90-minute time limit affords the experience extra depth (as compared to standard one-hour games).
There was a blend of puzzle types and each major area of the game had multiple puzzles that could be worked on simultaneously. Physical props and room elements were integrated into the puzzle solving.
Our gamemasters went above and beyond to make our game play enjoyable.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
We encountered some difficulty with the keypad locks in the room. Once we had the correct combinations, it took us a number of tries to input them into the locks as the ambient noise level drowned out the lock’s audio feedback.
Hints, guidance, and story prompts are provided via a tablet screen that you take with you through the room. In a couple of the puzzles, a little more signposting within the room could have reduced our hint count and reliance on that system.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
"The Passage" delivers an immersive environment and good puzzles with a bit of intrigue. The room’s namesake feature is totally worth the trip. "The Passage" will work well for large groups. There’s enough space for everyone to fit without climbing over each other (We attempted it with just two players and wished we had more). Twisted Limits Escape Rooms are located in a small strip mall (so no trouble parking). There are two other Twisted Limit locations also in McHenry—one with ax throwing and the other with laser tag.
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Twisted Limits has a lobby area with escape games (Unlock, Exit, etc) for sale and a large lounge area with seating, puzzles, video games, and a pool table (we arrived early and enjoyed a game of pool and a complimentary beverage before our game).
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
(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 Twisted Limits Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
Twisted Limits Escape Rooms is excited to unveil its newest adventure, "The Passage." This thrilling experience promises to challenge and engage participants with its intricate puzzles and immersive environment. An interesting behind-the-scenes aspect involves the use of a strap machine to ensure the safety and durability of the props and set pieces. By leveraging IndustrySearch, Australia’s leading platform connecting buyers with suppliers of engineering, industrial, manufacturing, and warehousing machinery, equipment, and supplies, Twisted Limits has secured high-quality equipment to maintain their high standards. "The Passage" is set to become a must-visit attraction, offering an unforgettable escape room experience.