Chikako Omura
- Nov 14, 2020
- 5 min read

Tumbleweed - "TableT"

Updated: Apr 23

LOCATION:  Tokyo, Japan

Photos above are property of Tumbleweed

Date Played: November 14, 2020

Genre: Puzzle

Difficulty (Based on 3 PPL): 8/10

Total # of Players: Up to 6PPL (Recommended 4PPL)

Length of Time: 60-80 Minutes

Price: ¥3,300/PP (advance), ¥3,800/PP (on the day)

Booking Type: Public

Escaped? Yes

📖 THE STORY

When you enter the room, you may immediately sense that this is not a regular escape room. No fancy decorations, no treasure boxes, you find none of those things you expect in the escape room. It is just a plain ordinary meeting room. Besides your game master, you may spot things you often find in the meeting room like stools and whiteboards. And, there are eight tablets quietly sitting on the tables. The game master greets and tells you that your goal is to complete the game called TableT using these tablets. Once the game starts, two circles appear on the screen of one of the tablets. You may think this game seems simple. But, wait… Is it going to be that simple?

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

This game consists of 12 stages. Each stage has original puzzles composed of simple figures like circles, triangles, or squares that appear on the screen of a tablet or sometimes the screens of up to eight tablets. Each tablet has a number assigned from 1 to 8. Players also use items found in the room to solve the puzzles (no scavenger hunts). When you deal with tablets in this game, you move only those shapes on the screens. You do not use any other resources like the internet or any outside knowledge. It seems as if you play a primitive game on a touch screen. The game goes on as you figure out rules existing in the tablets and the room by solving puzzles.
Your game master will record the time your team takes to finish each stage and provide you a rank, so you can see how well your team is doing. There are 12 chances to get a better rank. Go for it! Your team will also receive a rank based on the total time to complete the entire game.
After you finish each stage, your team can have some time for a discussion. It is good to pause so that everyone in your team can share some thoughts and be on the same page to get ready for your next challenge. It is highly recommended to use the discussion time productively from the early stages. Communication and cooperation are extremely significant in this game.
Overall, TableT is a well-designed exciting game that flows nicely with original beautiful puzzles. It starts from an easy introductory puzzle on the screen and becomes more challenging as you move on. Although the puzzles vary in mechanism, those presentations have a similar clean format and smoothly tie the individual stages together from the beginning to the end. It is also fascinating to see the technologies incorporated to make those puzzles work.
As you may guess, the tablets are the main component of this game. However, you do not solve only the two-dimensional puzzles shown on the screen of tablets. This room is divided into two smaller rooms; one is the first room with the tablets, and the other is without the tablets. This second room has a system that uniquely interrelates to the tablets in the first room. The system, which I cannot tell you much about its detail, adds another dimension to the puzzles to make those tangible and versatile. The usage of the system is elegantly embedded into the flow of the game. It involves players more physically in the puzzles, and it makes the entire game in this space more special and engaging.
The last puzzles at the final stage create a delightful climactic moment. The puzzles require observation, logic, intuition, and teamwork to solve. Those puzzles might be challenging to some people, but at the same time, it will be rewarding if you can come up with the answers. We were thrilled when we figured out the last ones!
Even if you are stuck, you do not need to panic because there is no time limit. The game master will be in the room with you all the time, so you can ask him for a hint.
Tumbleweed is one of the most popular escape game creators in Japan. Their games are well received mainly by escape room enthusiasts rather than beginners. (I am saying their games are challenging!) TableT was their first game available in English as a part of their project called Universal “Hirameki” Game (“Hirameki” means “Aha!” or “Eureka!” moment in Japanese). The goal of their project is to create a globally playable game for anyone who loves to experience aha moment by solving challenging puzzles regardless of one’s cultural background such as language. You may see some numbers, but there are no words in the puzzles throughout this game, though you may notice that they use one particular le-TT-er everywhere. They are playful.
The company is located in Shimokitazawa. It takes only 7 minutes from "Shinjuku Station" or 6 minutes from "Shibuya Station" to get there by train. There are a lot of nice places to eat and shop in the area!

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

This game may not be suitable for beginners, color-blind people, or those who love to see some decorations and antiques in an escape room.
Unfortunately, the company offers this game only occasionally at this moment. If you wish to play it, you might contact the company before you visit.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

"TableT" is not a conventional escape room since there is no time limit and no eye-catching set that tells you a clear theme of the room. Still, the game is so original and well-designed that it immerses players into this strange world of interacting with tablets. Players can focus on the puzzles and enjoy the unique game because there is no extra embellishment. Once you reach the end of the game, you may figure out the bizarre theme of this room. If anyone seeks an aha moment by a mind-boggling brainteaser in Tokyo, I would recommend this game. To receive a higher rank, communication and cooperation are the keys. You have to use your discussion time wisely. And, of course, you must think outside of the box. Well, in this case, you may think outside of the tablets!