Recently we went to play one of Sydney’s Escape Hunt games, “Murder in the Pub”. There are three games to choose from, and each has a 1900s theme and is set in The Rocks. It was our very first time playing a live escape game and we were super excited! (And we’re glad to say that they didn’t let us down.) We’ll provide our thoughts on the whole experience below.
First Impression
Upon finding the discreet location wedged in the middle of the CBD, we were brought up to the second level by a cozy, perhaps a little rickety lift. The location, though smaller than expected (about the size of a small apartment), emitted a tone which aligned with the game following. The drawn curtains, dimmed lighting, along with around 6 glossy black lounges emanated an air of mystery – as if our mission to escape had already begun. The overall first impression was great. Perhaps we did imagine it to be a bit larger and more grand but we believe the coziness of the place simply added to the nature of the game.
Difficulty
We chose to play “Murder in the Pub”, which is actually the most difficult one out of the three they have on offer. It was also our first game, so we went in having no idea what to expect.
At first, we were a little overwhelmed by all the clues in the room and we started by tabulating all the information we had on the whiteboard in the room. After doing this, we weren’t really sure what to do next, so we buzzed and the game master gave us clues, most of which nudged us in the right direction, but didn’t quite give the whole answer away. Some instances we realised that we’d actually already figured out the clue and entered the correct combination on the lock, but Lily hadn’t pressed the lock down hard enough to unlock it.
There were times when we got stuck at the big moments, having gathered all the clues needed for that section but not able to make the connection to the next step. In these moments, we often asked for clues, which helped but also spoilt the experience a little. (More experienced escape room game players would probably have made the links – we didn’t know what we were looking for since it was our first time, but the solution was often quite neat!) Towards the end when we were running out of time, the clues from the game masters became more explicit.
We didn’t finish within the time limit but since it wasn’t very busy that particular time, we got a few extra minutes where, with help from the game masters, we managed to solve the game and escape! (Larkspur made the last crucial link which allowed us to escape – yay!)
Overall, at first, the sheer number of clues were quite confusing for us as first-time gamers. However, as the game progressed, we got a better understanding of how all the pieces fit together and what to look for, as well as what to ignore. It was a pretty challenging and exciting game, and clues from the game masters really helped.
Entertainment Value
This was the first time we’d heard about a game like this in Sydney. It’s one of these things where people imagine about and would like to create but never really had the initiative to do so. To any Sherlock Holmes fan or crime drama fan in general, this place is certainly a dream come true. We had plenty of fun trying to figure out where to start and solving puzzles using the clues whilst pretending that we are real life detectives. And that satisfaction one feels when figuring out a puzzle is definitely a plus. Also, the pressure of a one hour limit made it all the more interesting. We also had to option of asking for help through an intercom in the room if we ever got stuck. An employee would come to help guide us in the right direction. However, we do believe the less you use the intercom, the more fun you’ll have. We used it a couple times simply to find that we were on the right track and were only a step away from solving the problem. That of course is quite disappointing because then we couldn’t have taken full ownership of the solution. Although we must admit many of the problems weren’t at all realistic, it’s the nature of solving the puzzles which is entertaining. We would definitely recommend this game to anyone interested in puzzles, crime solving or who just wanted to see how far you’d go had you been Sherlock Holmes. It’s a one of a kind experience and we certainly had a blast!
Service
We booked via the internet, and it was a very simple and fast process which only took a few minutes. The service was pretty great. They started by explaining the main concepts of an escape game (since it was our very first time) and the rules of the game. Our possessions were placed in a box outside the escape room and locked and the key was given to us to ensure no one else could open it while we were playing the game. During the actual game, whenever we pressed the buzzer for help, they responded quickly via the intercom and gave us clues. Their speedy responses really helped, especially during the last few minutes when we were panicking. It wasn’t very busy when we were playing, so they were extremely nice and even gave us many extra minutes (10-20) which allowed us to FINALLY solve it! 🙂
After the game, we dressed up in Sherlock-style hats, capes and skirts and got a few photos taken. They were very patient with us as we debated over what poses to make. Before and after the game, you can eat some biscuits and drink some tea (tea-bags), which is nice if you want a small snack. (And of course, who wouldn’t be hungry after playing an hour of an intense escape game?) There are also small puzzles on each table if you’re waiting for a room.
Overall, the service was really good and made the whole experience very enjoyable.
Larkspur and Lily 