It’s sometimes easy to overlook a game’s Hint System, because often times they disappear into the background of Story, Scenic and Puzzles. However, some games go the extra mile to create in-world Hint Systems that not only further the narrative, but engage guests in a completely unique and entirely memorable way.
Escape Authority is honored to announce our 2020 Keys To Greatness – Best Hint System winners:
July 11, 2020 – Escape Authority takes racially intolerant comments very seriously, and as such, in light of those recently made by the owner this former award-winning venue, we can no longer support, recommend or endorse this game. As such, this award has been removed.
This is not a political issue, nor is it a matter of opinion. This is an issue of respect and human decency. We need to do better as a people. The time for that is now.
Magic Kingdom
(Los Angeles, CA)
It just wouldn’t be a Magic Kingdom with a basic Hint System. With wizarding wands casting spells all around that literally bring enchanted objects to life, Maze Rooms somehow found a way to make a Hint System the true star of the show. A sassy little mouse holds all of the answers you seek – but don’t expect them without forking over the cheese – literally! Feeding the mouse small pellet treats might just gain players a helpful hint – but ration those snacks wisely; sometimes this feisty little furball likes to cheat you out of food as a tease for his own amusement (and appetite.) This wonderfully comical Hint System takes a game already great for families to a whole other level – but it’s so fun that even experienced players might close their eyes and take a leap by asking for more hints than they normally would – just to feed mouse!
Click Here to read our full review of Magic Kingdom.
ALL GAMES
(Stone Mountain, GA)
For the very first time ever, an entire venue has won one of our game specific awards! Escape The Netherworld excels at many things, from Story to Scenic, to being one of the best Horror Theme brands on the market – but when it comes to Hint Systems, they create an experience like no other. Every single game at the venue has its own completely unique, innovative and entirely in-character Hint System that brings the storyworld of each adventure to life perfectly. Campers tackling Sasquatch – Bigfoot’s Revenge may encounter a chunky park ranger with a lisp radioing from the ranger’s station. Nosferatu – Van Helsing’s Curse requires vampire hunters to put their faith in a snarky raven. Haunted – Curse of the Night Hag brings one of its oddities to fully animated life in comedic fashion. Hints can often be the one thing that breaks the proverbial fourth wall in even the best of immersive games, but Escape The Netherworld’s attention to detail creates a next-level all-encompassing storyworld for every one of their experiences.
Be sure to read our full reviews of Sasquatch – Bigfoot’s Revenge, Nosferatu – Van Helsing’s Secret and Haunted – Curse of the Night Hag.
Congratulations to our winners of the second annual Keys To Greatness – Best Hint System award!
With more than 1,000 games played across the site, being picked as one of the best three in the country is a well-earned honor to truly be proud of!
With so many deserving games worthy of recognition, our goal is to ensure these Keys To Greatness awards are attainable to all – not just those with blockbuster budgets that might be otherwise out of reach. As such, it’s important to note that we have, as much as possible, limited games to winning a single category – but every game will still be qualified to win the coveted Keys to Greatness – Best Game award, as well as the Keys to Greatness – Remote Play awards.
*Although the games I’ve personally designed are consistently very highly rated by both enthusiasts and newer players alike, I cannot in good conscience nominate an attraction I created. As such, those games and the venues that call them home have been intentionally omitted from consideration for any Keys To Greatness award.
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