A/MAZE (Hochelaga) - "Kidnapped"

Ryan Driver
1 hour ago
3 min read

LOCATION:  Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Photo above is property of A/MAZE

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Kidnapped
📅 DATE PLAYED: September 20, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Thriller
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 Players): 7/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: CAD $40/ pp (pending on group size)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [51:00]

📖 THE STORY

You wake up in total darkness, wrists bound, the metallic smell of blood lingering in the air. The news had warned of a string of disappearances across the city — and now you realize you’re the next victim. Every creak of the floorboards above sends chills down your spine as you race to free yourself before your captor returns. The only way out is to stay calm, think fast, and outsmart a twisted mind who loves to play with his prey.

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The room delivers a strong, cohesive aesthetic that leans heavily into the thriller theme without ever becoming overly graphic or disturbing. The set design shines through inspired prop choices — an electric chair, hanging body bags, and effective video clips — all of which combine to create an immersive, high-stakes atmosphere. The lighting and occasional special effects elevate the tension, culminating in a finale that quite literally had us running for our lives.
The ending itself was another highlight. It’s simple but cleverly executed, and it gave us the freedom to play along and improvise our own dramatic escape, which made the experience feel personal, energetic, and memorable.
We loved starting in opposing cells, which forced communication and teamwork right from the beginning. The separation doesn’t last too long, but it establishes tension and sets a collaborative tone for the rest of the game. The early puzzles are well-calibrated — not too difficult — avoiding the frustration that sometimes comes with split-team starts.
The puzzles throughout the experience are solid and well-varied, with a few clever effects triggered by our actions to keep momentum high. Interacting with the environment — from the torture tools to the surveillance gear — made us feel part of the story rather than observers. It’s a fast-paced, dynamic experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

Before entering, players are asked to choose between a “scary” or “non-scary” mode, activated by flipping a large switch — a clever and theatrical idea enhanced by accompanying sound effects (either a blood-curdling scream or a mocking chicken cluck). Unfortunately, despite selecting the horror mode, we didn’t encounter any genuine scares or jump moments during the game. While that might be a relief for some groups, those expecting a pulse-raising horror experience may find it a little tame.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

We really enjoyed "Kidnapped" and found it to be an exciting, immersive experience with plenty of energy and personality. It’s well-suited for groups of all experience levels, offering intensity without being overwhelming. The game likely plays best with four players — enough to balance the early separation and keep everyone involved. For seasoned teams, the opening split might even add a welcome layer of challenge. Overall, it’s a highly entertaining, cinematic escape that’s easy to recommend.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

There is no parking available on site. There are some available spots on the surrounding residential streets. There are also good bus links to this location.
There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and secure lockers for your belongings.

Photos above are 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 A/MAZE for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.