RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 18:13
After multiple tragedies in Room 1409 you’d think maybe – just maybe – we’d book ourselves in a different room. Nope.
Tragedy continues to strike in Room 1409. Experience an escape scenario inside this hotel room of mystery. Room 1409 has a history of secrets inside of it that are waiting to be revealed. Trails and scattered documents must be followed to escape the room before time runs out. Once time expires, there is no escape from Room 1409. Solve riddles and different puzzles to discover the way out of the hotel room.
A stay at this ghostly room at the Inn will keep hotel guests on their toes as they attempt to escape. Like Locked Up Philly’s other game, The Missing Five, Room 1409 is loosely based off of a Stephen King work. As such, it comes as no surprise that the storyworld here takes on a slightly eerie atmosphere.
Visitors to this room of mystery will need to piece together aspects of different murderous crimes in their attempt to uncover the secrets of Room 1409. Doing so successfully will set them free. Failing to do so will force them to extend their stay indefinitely…
Room 1409 has some interesting scenic elements. Several design choices help to enhance the immersiveness of the game, with a few pulling guests back to reality.
While the main game space lacks a bed, bathroom, or any suspicious stains on the carpeting, it clearly presents itself as an older, luxurious hotel room. Heavy wooden furniture, a rotary phone to call for room service, and a large armoire adorn the not so spacious accommodations.
A large box television is centrally situated in the room. Notably, the screen mounted on the wall with the game clock and clues is nicely themed as an older style TV with dials and rounded corners. This small detail helps to keep the realistic setting of Room 1409.
Where the scenic design falters slightly is in the use of printed numbers on the light fixtures. A more subtle or integrated way of displaying this information would help to raise the overall quality of the set.
Room 1409 showcases a very creative puzzle flow, incorporating both key and combination lock fare as well as higher tech reveals. A balance of slightly physical tasks and the need for creative thinking provides something for all type of escape game players to enjoy.
One particular element that worked very well in the attempt to escape this mysterious hotel was the use of in game clueing. While several objectives could be completed without the aid of these built in hints, the way that the tips are presented leads to repeated “ah ha!” moments, even if a particular task had already been finished. This game design choice was unique, fit the storyworld perfectly, and was perfectly executed.
As guests near the end of their stay in Room 1409, the game takes a darker turn. The final “end boss” that must be solved is a clever challenge, however it comes across as a puzzle for puzzles sake. This drastic about-face in thematic design makes it almost as if there are two unrelated escape games; the first taking place in the fancy hotel and the second being the final task in the… boiler room? Closet? Cult gathering space?
Disjointed ending aside, the overall puzzle flow creates a fun and exciting adventure in a slightly eerie setting. Our group did get stuck for several minutes trying to open a unique safe where we had the correct code but failed to properly operate the mechanism. It was fun to come across a device we had not previously seen, and now we know – turn then lift!
Locked Up Philly is a bit of a hidden gem, tucked away in the Philadelphia suburbs but well worth the trip to play their games. Room 1409 transports hotel guests into an unsettling scene. Nothing is outwardly scary or dangerous, but an ominous atmosphere and knowledge that something happened here keeps players on their toes.
Decent scenic quality pairs nicely with a fun puzzle flow. While there are a few hiccups throughout the experience, the creativity and unique aspects of Room 1409 make it a very solid game that certainly ends with a bang!
Both games at Locked Up Philly left us talking for the entire ride home, making us excited to see what this venue has in store for future development!
Show your support for Escape Authority and get social with us:
Venue: Locked Up Philly
Location: Huntingdon Valley, PA
Number of Games: 2
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 8 people
Group Type: Public / You may be paired with strangers. Private Games available.
Cost: $30 per person / $160 for a private game of up to 6 people
We thank Locked Up Philly for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.