RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: +2:17
Have you ever desired to be intimate with a demon? Well, here’s your chance.
The End? is a remote play version of an existing, physical escape game at the the venue’s brick and mortar location – retrofitted to be offered as a live, online experience. Although altered slightly to better flow in this new medium, the game is, at its core, essentially the same as what guests will find should they visit Lost Escape in Lithuania. To read our Pro-Tips on how to best enjoy this new Remote Play genre, click here.
An old abandoned cabin located near the mysterious Seniava cemetery has been a cause of a great fear and distress for the locals for many years now. The blood-curdling noises coming from the depths of the cabin definitely make you think twice before approaching it. They say that once upon a time a family that lived there was possessed by an evil spirit and their bodies were found laying in a monstrous pool of blood.
Nowadays, the tragic destiny of the family is following everyone that dares to step into the old cabin.
Your team was invited here to break the curse that was torturing poor people that came into its grasp for hundreds of years and escape with your hearts still beating.
The legend has it – the only way to do it is by destroying the demon hiding in the cabin. One must stab its heart with a dagger.
Will your team be able to do it?
Or will you meet your end here too?
Creepy cabins that may or may not be haunted are always begging to be explored. This potentially cursed home in the outskirts of Kaunas, Lithuania is no different. A family tragedy allegedly led to decades of horror for anyone who dare step foot inside. But now, thanks to the power of technology, investigators can attempt to break the deadly curse from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Well, that is for all except their on site eyes and ears who bravely – or foolishly – must face the demon head on.
Oh, what’s that? We just got word that the curse can in fact “go through Zoom”. Welp, good luck.
Authentic set design goes a long way in creating an eerily believable haunted home. The main room that greets investigators when they first enter is clearly the interior of an old cabin. Logs walls stack from floor to ceiling. Heavy wood furniture lines the walls. An antique stove sits waiting for the iron tea kettle to be put to use. And of course, the totally not creepy family portraits are prominently displayed.
While the main living space of this long abandoned home is slightly unsettling in its own right, the truly horrifying secrets are hidden deep within the walls. As investigators make their way closer to finding the demons heart they will come face to face with more macabre and unnerving elements.
Skulls – possibly the lone remnants of previous investigators who didn’t make it out alive – are scattered all over the cabin. Blood stained altars suggest that the family that once lived here may have met an unfortunate fate.
The End? packs in a robust mix of puzzles from the moment investigators enter the cabin until the dagger is plunged into the demons heart.
A healthy amount of scavenging throughout the first half of the game portrays what brazen intruders would actually need to do when trying to uncover the secrets of this abandoned home. This is paired perfectly with several intuitive tasks – such as creating a fire – that are so logical it becomes easy to forget they are in fact puzzles at all.
The demon that has cursed this cabin makes sure it is quite the challenge to get into the inner chambers where the altars await. Those brave – or stupid – enough to try must overcome several object placement tasks, rune based puzzles, and a few uniquely breath taking steps.
The final moments of this investigation and attempt to rid the home of the curse stay true to form. If the team can successfully create the altar and stab the heart they will get to log off of Zoom and safely enjoy the rest of their day. If they fail…well as we said the curse can go through Zoom.
The End? is yet another quality remote play option offered by Lost Escape. This venue has now consistently provided entertaining games with great scenic, intuitive puzzles, and excellent hosts. A few story driven moments along the way help create an immersive world for remote investigators to get lost in.
While the overarching theme of The End? is a bit macabre, it is overall a family friendly option with puzzles that are approachable by all levels of experience. Of note is that there are NOT any jump scares in this game, so no need for the skittish investigators to shy away!
The current situation has forced venues to adapt and create new ways for guests to experience their games. This silver lining has made it possible for enthusiasts from all over the world to play games they may not otherwise have ever seen. The End? is another great example of an escape experience we are grateful to have had the opportunity to see!
*Montu, Escape Authority’s VP, Dog Business™ and lead home game correspondent endorses the opinions found within this review.
Venue: Lost Escape
Location: Remote online play at home, broadcast live from Kaunas, Lithuania
Number of Games: 7 (3 currently available via remote play)
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 4-6 connections
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: 40€ for 4 players / 50€ for 5 / 60€ for 6
We thank Lost Escape for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary access was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.