Secret Clue GmbH - "Paranormal"

LOCATION:  Bülach, Switzerland

Photo above is property of Secret Clue GmbH

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Paranormal
📅 DATE PLAYED: March 30, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Horror (light), Mystery
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 8/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: CHF 100-192
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (56:02)

📖 THE STORY

In a quaint, picturesque village, there once stood a beloved, award-winning toy shop. Children adored it, and even adults marvelled at the toymaker’s kindness and craftsmanship. But one day, something mysterious happened…

Now, the shop sits abandoned, its doors closed, and whispers of eerie happenings keep everyone at a distance. Do you have the courage to step inside and uncover the chilling secret hidden within

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

"Paranormal" is Secret Clue GmbH's largest and most ambitious escape room, spanning more than twice the space of some of their other games. As one of the last rooms we played, we were truly impressed by its scale. With unexpected new areas continuously revealing themselves, the excitement never waned.
The atmosphere is masterfully crafted, delivering a truly haunting experience that keeps players on edge. The uncertainty of when—or if—the next jump scare would occur kept the tension high, especially with the game master occasionally appearing in character as a paranormal entity. Combined with meticulously designed sets, eerie lighting, and spine-chilling sound effects, the game fully immerses players in its supernatural world.
The puzzles are seamlessly woven into the narrative, requiring logical thinking, keen observation, and strong teamwork. We especially appreciated how each task served a purpose in advancing the story, gradually revealing the dark and tragic past of the house’s former inhabitants. This level of story-driven puzzle design is not easy to achieve, yet Paranormal does it exceptionally well.
The sheer number of puzzles was impressive, making this room feel longer and more content-rich than the average escape game. We progressed at a steady pace, yet still finished with just four minutes to spare—a true nail-biter that kept us engaged until the very last second.
More than anything, Paranormal is a storytelling masterpiece. From beginning to end, the narrative remains the driving force of the experience, making the process of uncovering the family’s chilling history one of the most rewarding aspects of the game.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

While the set design, atmosphere, and storytelling were all outstanding, a few puzzles felt unnecessarily finicky or overly sensitive. For instance, certain mechanics required extreme precision or had hidden timing constraints that weren’t immediately clear. This led to moments of frustration, as we lost time repeating tasks without knowing what we had done wrong. In these instances, game master intervention became necessary, but it felt like it shouldn’t have been. A clearer indication of failure conditions would greatly improve the experience.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

While "Paranormal" was our second favorite overall at Secret Clue, it was undoubtedly the most immersive and atmospheric of the five games we played. If you're brave enough to confront the spirits within, this is a must-play escape room. That said, the fear factor isn't overwhelming, making it accessible even to those who might not usually go for horror-themed rooms. It’s a great way to test your boundaries, and for those who love a deeply immersive, story-driven experience, Paranormal is a standout choice.

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

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.