13th Gate Escape - "Spellbound"

LOCATION:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Photo above is property of 13th Gate Escape

Photos above are property of 13th Gate Escape

📝  ETR DECODER

• 🔑 GAME: Spellbound

• 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 26, 2024

• 🎬 GENRE: Witchcraft

• 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl): 7/10

• 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl

• 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.

• 💰 PRICE: $32.00/ pp (Min. 4 ppl required)

• ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

• 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

In the heart of the Louisiana woods lies a mysterious cabin that haunts your dreams. You and your group have been inexplicably drawn to this secluded dwelling, rumored to be the home of a powerful coven of witches. One fateful night, the high priestess of the coven reaches out to you, urgently summoning your presence to confront an ancient evil—a vampire patriarch who threatens not only your lives but the fate of the entire world. With only 60 minutes before midnight, the clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Can you and your team expel the vampire before it's too late?

Video above is property of 13th Gate Escape

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

• Aesthetically, this room delivers the feeling of being in a cabin in the Louisiana swamps with remarkable authenticity. The attention to detail in recreating the environment truly transports players into the world of the game.

• The theming around witchcraft and Wicca is expertly executed in this room, with the five main elements—fire, earth, wind, and spirit—playing integral roles. These elements are cleverly integrated into the puzzles and storyline, adding depth and richness to the overall experience. The cohesive incorporation of these thematic elements enhances the sense of mystery and intrigue throughout the game.

• One of the standout features of this room is the complexity of its puzzles. Rather than relying on simple one-step puzzles, many of the challenges in this game require multiple layers of problem-solving to reach a solution. This depth of puzzle design keeps players engaged and provides a satisfyingly challenging experience. Additionally, one of the final puzzles in the game stands out as particularly inventive and memorable, showcasing the room's creativity and ingenuity.
  

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

• One notable aspect of the room is a slow-moving prop encountered during gameplay, which serves to lead players further into the experience. While this element adds to the atmosphere and immersion, its leisurely pace can disrupt the flow of the game, particularly as players eagerly anticipate progressing to the next stage. Though this occurrence is infrequent and does not detract from the overall quality of the experience, it can momentarily interrupt the momentum of the gameplay and leave players waiting for the action to resume.
  

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"Spellbound" is a haven for puzzle enthusiasts, offering a plethora of diverse puzzles that challenge players in various ways. This abundance of puzzles stands out as the room's defining feature, providing ample opportunities for players to test their problem-solving skills. Additionally, the room effectively transports players to the world depicted in the story, thanks to its immersive scenic design. Despite the occasional slowdown caused by a slow-moving prop, the overall immersion remains strong throughout the experience.

However, from a more critical perspective, there is a slight disparity between the story and the gameplay elements in "Spellbound". While the puzzles are engaging and well-crafted, they don't always seamlessly align with the overarching narrative. Despite this minor inconsistency, Spellbound remains one of the venue's standout offerings, providing an enjoyable challenge for most groups. Overall, it strikes a balance between providing a fun gameplay experience and presenting players with stimulating puzzles to solve.

Photos above are property of 13th Gate Escape

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

• 4 Player Minimum due to puzzle design

• Free Parking Lot across the Street

• Beverages for sale

• Lobby with Lockers for storage during games

• One player must be able to crawl in a small space

• Lobby games available

• Meeting room available

Photos above are property of 13th Gate Escape

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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 13th Gate Escape for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever.

#MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #13thGateEscape #Witchcraft #Louisiana #USA