Secret Clue GmbH - "Haunted Toy Store"

LOCATION:  Bülach, Switzerland

Photo above is property of Secret Clue GmbH

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Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝  ETR DECODER

• 🔑 GAME: Haunted Toy Store

• 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 30, 2025

• 🎬 GENRE: Spooky

• 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 5/10

• 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl

• 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.

• 💰 PRICE: CHF 100-175

  ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

• 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (32:16)

📖 THE STORY

In a charming little village, there was once a beloved, award-winning toy shop. Children adored it, and adults admired the toymaker’s kindness and craftsmanship. But one day, something mysterious happened...

Now, the shop stands abandoned, its doors shut tight, and the once joyful laughter has been replaced by an eerie silence. The villagers keep their distance, whispering about what might have happened inside. Do you have the courage to step through the door and uncover the truth hidden within?

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

• One of the standout elements of this escape room is its storytelling. From the moment you step inside, an automated narrative sets the stage, and additional audio tracks throughout the game provide deeper insight into past events. This continuous storytelling adds a layer of immersion that many escape rooms overlook, making it a truly notable feature.

• The set design is another highlight. While the toy store itself is compact, it’s packed with toy props and thematic furniture that enhance the experience. The second room feels larger and introduces a couple of special effects, including a well-timed jump scare that heightens the tension; though the overall atmosphere leans more toward eerie than outright scary.

• As for the puzzles, they are well-designed to keep all team members engaged. The first room features a mostly nonlinear flow, encouraging players to search and complete mini-puzzles at their own pace. The second half shifts gears, requiring stronger teamwork and communication skills to progress. The puzzles also tie in well with the storyline, particularly in the latter half when the narrative expands.
  

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

While the room doesn’t suffer from broken mechanics or illogical puzzles, there’s room for enhancement. The two main areas that could elevate the experience even further are:

• More puzzles: The game could benefit from additional challenges to extend playtime and deepen engagement.

• Stronger thematic immersion: While the set is well-constructed, the toy store theme doesn’t fully come to life. More vibrant toy store elements could enhance the setting further. Likewise, the spooky aspect isn’t fully utilized beyond dim lighting and one jump scare. More could certainly be done to push the scare factor up.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

This is a solid, well-crafted escape room that’s best suited for low-to-medium-experience players. The difficulty level is moderate, and the scare factor is minimal, making it ideal for families or those who prefer a more lighthearted experience. Due to the limited space and number of tasks, a team of two to three players is the sweet spot, any more, and it might feel crowded.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

• Parking is not available on site. Free parking is available in clearly designated spaces around the side and back of the building.

• There is a lobby area with comfortable seating, lockers, and a few cold drinks for sale.

• This game is wheelchair accessible and disability friendly

Photos above are property of Secret Clue GmbH

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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 Secret Clue GmbH for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.

#RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Spooky #SecretClueGmbH #Bulach #Switzerland