Escape Cafe Hilversum - "Zoltar Speaks"

Mike Schnurr
20 hours ago
4 min read

LOCATION:  Hilversum, Netherlands

Photo above is property of Escape Cafe Hilversum

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Zoltar Speaks
📅 DATE PLAYED: January 22, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Arabian Nights
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 4/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 75 Mins.
💰 PRICE: €179/ team
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

You and your group step into an old antique shop, the kind cluttered with forgotten curiosities and trinkets of a bygone era. Among the dusty shelves and oddities, one item immediately catches your eye: a curious fortune-telling cabinet labeled Zoltar. You’ve probably seen machines like this before—the cheesy kind you'd find at a boardwalk or carnival, promising to reveal your future with a booming voice and flashing lights.

But this one is different. It speaks without prompting. And not only does it seem to know your future… it may know your past as well. With that chilling realization, you're pulled into a story far beyond the antique shop walls. Hidden sets, untold secrets, and thrilling discoveries await—if you're brave enough to follow where Zoltar speaks.

Video above is property of Escape Cafe Hilversum

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

Zoltar Speaks immediately impresses with its massive room, offering a sense of scale and grandeur that truly transports players into its world. The expansive space allows for a level of exploration and discovery that smaller rooms simply can't match, making every corner feel like a new mystery waiting to be uncovered. Rather than feeling overwhelming, the layout is cleverly designed to guide players through an evolving journey, ensuring that every inch of the room serves a purpose in the adventure.
Adding to the immersion, costumes are not just an extra touch but a pivotal part of the experience, seamlessly woven into the storyline. Unlike other games where costumes might be optional, Zoltar Speaks presents them at just the right moment, making them feel like a natural progression of the adventure rather than a gimmick. When the game provides them, it’s not just for show—they play a meaningful role in the unfolding narrative, reinforcing your connection to the world and the characters within it.
This game does something unlike ever seen before in an escape room that really turns it into a strategic offering on the. game's point of view. after we played in the room, we exclaimed to ourselves, why haven't more escape rooms done this kind of thing before? just for the finale is worth the price of admission.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

While the finale delivered an incredible and fitting conclusion to the experience, it leaned heavily on a singular effort, leaving some members of the group feeling like spectators rather than active participants. In a game filled with engaging moments for everyone, the final challenge felt like a departure from that inclusivity, making us wish there had been a way for the entire team to contribute more meaningfully to the climax.
The scents used throughout the game did an excellent job of transporting players into the world of Zoltar Speaks, adding an extra layer of immersion that made the experience feel even more real. However, at times, the scents became a bit overpowering, slightly distracting from the puzzles and gameplay. While they undeniably enhanced the atmosphere, a bit more subtlety in their use could have maintained the immersion without pulling focus away from the adventure itself.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"Zoltar Speaks" is a game that recently opened its doors to English-speaking players, and we were fortunate enough to be among the very first to experience it. With only whispers heard through the grapevine and recommendations from some of the top venues in the Netherlands, we added it to our itinerary almost on a whim. What we found was an absolute hidden gem.

This game masterfully walks the line between fresh innovation and nostalgic charm. It takes the core of what makes escape rooms enjoyable—immersive storytelling, clever puzzles, and shared discovery—and infuses it with something unexpected. From the moment you step into the elaborately designed set, it's clear just how much love and attention went into every detail. The puzzles were fun and original, the environment was rich and dynamic, and a surprisingly strategic element gave our team a new layer of gameplay we didn’t see coming.

While not the most difficult game for seasoned enthusiasts, Zoltar Speaks doesn’t need to be. Its strength lies in the journey, not just the challenge. For smaller groups especially, this room offers the perfect space to connect with the experience—and with each other.

It’s always refreshing to find a game that feels like it was made for players, not just around them. The team behind Zoltar Speaks clearly understands what makes this hobby special, and their passion radiates from start to finish. The cherry on top? The wonderful staff, who were just as excited to talk about the game as we were to play it.

Zoltar may have predicted our future… but it never could’ve told us how much fun we’d have.