The Other Tales - Escape Rooms - "Once Upon A Winter"
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The Other Tales - Escape Rooms - "Once Upon A Winter"

Updated: Apr 14

LOCATION:  Hawthorne, New Jersey, USA

Photo above is property of The Other Tales - Escape Rooms

📝  ETR DECODER

  • 🔑 GAME: Once Upon a Winter

  • 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 28, 2023

  • 🎬 GENRE: Fairy Tale, Magical

  • 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10

  • 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 6ppl

  • 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins

  • 💰 PRICE: $39.95/PP

  • ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private

  • 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes


📖 THE STORY

As you wandered into the forest, you stumbled upon a beautiful cottage. From what you've heard from the villagers, this cottage usually would be filled with laughter as many fairytale characters would enjoy their stay here. Today feels very different. It seems like someone had cast a spell on the cottage. Everything was frozen. Can you help to make the cottage come alive again?


🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

  • The story made us into the writers that controlled the fate of this cottage. We actually felt like we were writing the chapters of this book as we played through the puzzles.

  • We really enjoyed the usage of lights as guidance as it made the room feel magical. They were helpful in terms of getting the attention of the players but also provided those surprising moments.

  • Instead of having one person read the story, the room also provided prerecorded audio which played simultaneously as we found the written pages. This really enforced the entire team to hear everything and proceed together.

  • The game flow was great. We never doubt which puzzle to solve next, what locks to open with which puzzle and everything had a flavor of a fairytale but with an added twist from "The Other Tales".

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

  • Some visual puzzles might be easier for some people and might be difficult for others. If there could be a way to put them on a certain prop that is relevant to the puzzle to have a confirmed visual, it would work best with all the players.

  • One of the props could be redesigned to fit onto another prop and make the operation process easier for the player.

  • The locks in this room were the only thing that could be a little bit more "magical". Perhaps decorating them or using mag locks with a wand to open some could be an option?

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

We were surprised by the story and puzzles "The Other Tales" was able to fit into this single small-sized room. They offered many multi-step puzzles that could easily have groups work on together. I love how we were able to find classic escape room puzzles in the room but clearly knowing that they had an "Other Tales" touch. Ultimately our rescue mission was a success and the ending was stitched beautifully together for a winter miracle. Since I love Holidays and Fairytale, this room was the perfect mix for me!


ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

  • Free parking right outside the building

  • Located on the 2nd floor, need to climb a flight of stairs

  • Lobby with waiting area

Photos above are property of The Other Tales - Escape Rooms

 


(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 The Other Tales - Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever.

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