Number of Games: 1 GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION: Show your support for Escape Authority and get social with us: We really appreciated the owner’s enthusiasm for the industry, and hope that he has more games planned for the future! Now, he said, he uses the income from the game to pay for half of his rent a better alternative to a roommate. He described to us that this was initially supposed to be a passion project, until he was convinced to operate it as a small business. That said, the owner certainly made use of his space, and created a very enjoyable and highly unique experience.Īfter finishing the game, we had a brief discussion with the owner. It is somewhat disorienting to play an escape game that is quite literally located in a spare room in a residential house. It is quite difficult to find, and it could never be stumbled upon without knowing exactly where you were going. Upon pulling up to the escape game venue, we were concerned that we had gotten lost. An increase in the quality of the scenic design could quite possibly boost it to a 5 key experience. Although it had a strong storyline and its puzzle design was spectacular, its scenery was so lackluster that we could not justify granting it any higher than a 4 key rating. Upon finishing the game, this unique percentage complete system is all that we could find ourselves talking about.Ĭheckmate is truly a tale of two escape games. Everything in the game is run through JavaScript programming, and there is a small screen in the room which tells adventurers their exact percentage complete, along with their time remaining and hints available. The single most unique thing about No Escape’s Checkmate is its complete automation. One especially fulfilling puzzle makes use of a common household item in a genius way. Many of the puzzles require significant time and brainpower, and are exceedingly satisfying to complete. The challenges flow seamlessly into one another. The owner of the game, a post-doctoral student at an Ivy League university, utilized his engineering expertise to integrate technology in highly engaging ways.Įvery puzzle in Checkmate makes complete sense in conjunction with the established storyworld. We have seen plenty of fake spiders in escape games before, but seeing a real one was certainly unpleasant to say the least.Ĭompletely unlike its horrendous scenery, Checkmate has some truly extraordinary puzzle design. On our run through, there was a large web with an even larger spider in the top corner of the closet. The single worst element of Checkmate’s scenery is a dusty old closet in which several clues are located. It likely would have been highly beneficial to shield this window from explorers’ view. Additionally, there is a window in the room which is not covered up, and looks out to the owner’s backyard. There are several exposed wires and other visible technological mechanisms which seriously hurt the room’s immersion factor. The plain white walls are left largely undecorated, with the exception of a few pieces of art. While it is plausible that this space could be an office, as was laid out in the storyworld, it simply feels all too barren. It is clear that this escape game really is just placed in a spare room in a house. For this reason, we did not have the highest expectations for scenic design. On the company’s website, the escape game is listed as being “within a home”. Unfortunately, Checkmate completely falls flat in the scenic department. An interesting and distinctive story arc has been created, truly enhancing the quality of gameplay. Williams’ office to the second they escape ( or don’t) it is clear that adventurers are facing imminent danger in the form of an ominous and unfriendly spirit. No Escape does an excellent job at weaving its unique storyworld throughout the entirety of the game. Once activated, you’ll have 90 minutes to figure out why this spirit still lingers, hopefully allowing it to find peace… and for you to escape… In an effort to stop the haunting, equipment has been installed to bring the room slightly out of phase with our reality and facilitate a connection with the spirit. However, their ghost still haunts the room. Williams died from apparent natural causes. RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 22:00ĭon’t be discouraged by the desolate location this innovative game is worth a trip.ĭr.
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