Story. Scenic. Puzzles. Immersion. Innovation. There’s countless paths to recognizing the Keys To Greatness in our industry, but there’s only one category that brings them all together as one. This is the accolade all others build towards, and the one goal that – big or small – every single venue in the country dreams of achieving. With nearly 1,000 games played by the Escape Authority Team, there are just three that can be discussed among the Best.
Escape Authority is honored to announce our 2019 Keys To Greatness – Best Game winners:
Maze of Hakaina
(New York, NY)
Komnata Quest is an internationally recognized brand with locations literally around the globe – and for good reason. Their games are often among the standard-bearers of our industry, each jammed full of unique puzzles and clever tech. But with so many viable options to choose from, one Komnata Quest offering stands as a firm contender to the Best Game title: Maze of Hakaina. Different from its outset, this game’s narrative-based flow tells a compelling story from start to finish, brought to life with its outside-the-box puzzle style and completely unique setting – an actual maze full of moving walls that creates some pretty epic surprise reveals throughout the adventure. Simply put, everything about Maze of Hakaina is a satisfying – and inspiring – experience.
Click here to read our full review of Maze of Hakaina.
The Elevator Shaft
(Sylmar, CA)
Long-time Escape Authority favorite The Basement drops into our Best Game countdown like a six ton elevator falling from above. Because that’s exactly what this game is. The new and improved second chapter of Edward Tandy’s twisted story of torture and human meat puts guests in a race against the clock – that is, if you replace the clock with a dangling old service elevator literally seconds away from crushing you as it falls lower and lower with each passing second. An adventure full of taboo puzzles, masterfully hidden tech a theatrical show effects worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, The Elevator Shaft remains not only The Basement’s blood-soaked gem, but also one of the very Best Escape Games in the entire country.
Click Here to read our full review of The Elevator Shaft.
Cutthroat Cavern
(Baton Rouge, LA)
Cutthroat Cavern sails across the seven seas on a tidal wave that towers above all others. The sheer scope of this game is mind-blowing – from its 3,500 square feet of space to it’s intricately hand-carved details, from its massive hidden reveals to its full-scale pirate shipwreck, washed up on the beach along the shores an underground lake. Yeah, you read that right. Already a Keys To Greatness award winner for Best Scenic, 13th Gate Escape has created far more than just a few pretty sets. An intricately crafted storyworld allows us to evoke memories of our childhood dream of becoming one of The Goonies in what is instantly among the most immersive attractions we’ve ever stepped foot inside. Its puzzles transport it to the next level, with brilliantly clever tasks that each fit flawlessly within that storyworld, seamlessly blending tech in such a way that it simply becomes invisible magic, powering challenges so unique that some stand out as things we’ve just never seen elsewhere. 13th Gate Escape answers the question we’ve all imagined of “What if Disneyland had escape games?” with a resounding “it might never be as good as this.” Simply put, Cutthroat Cavern is a score-shattering, genre-redefining once-in-a-lifetime attraction worthy of any accolade, and the only one good enough to be named Best Game.
Click Here to read our full review of Cutthroat Cavern.
Congratulations to our winners of the first ever Keys To Greatness – Best Game award!
With nearly 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 with just one exception, a given game can only win in a single category – but every game will still be qualified to win the coveted Keys To Greatness – Best Game award on June 2, 2019.
*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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