RATING: 3 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 24:23
Mr. Doe wants that art, but he doesn’t want to… shell out for it. Seems like an eggcellent time for a heist!
A highly skilled art thief, only known as Mr. Doe (Starring: Charles Harvey) longs to leave his dangerous trade with one final score. A priceless piece of art worth millions has just been relocated to the Hillsbrad Mansion, and is under intense security. He has recruited you, the world’s most notorious band of thieves to help him pull off the greatest heist of all time, The Big Score.
An egg. Worth millions of dollars. Kept in an old mansion. It’s just begging to be stolen. Now it’s time to… hatch a plan for The Big Score.
Our puns may not be all they’re… cracked up to be, but our heisting skills certainly are. In order to successfully swipe this priceless art, several layers of an intricate security system must be disarmed.
Good thing Mr. Doe’s team of thieves are not… chickens. There’s only 60 minutes to pull off this heist!
The Big Score encompasses one relatively square and rather small room. While it is nicely appointed, the game space doesn’t quite live up to the Hillsbrad Mansion moniker upon first appearance.
Old wood structure, a trippy floor pattern, scenic lighting, and of course lots of art help create the atmosphere of an eccentric millionaires home. The focal point of the set is appropriately the multi-million dollar egg that is to be stolen.
The prized art piece is secured in the center of the room, encased in a glass display case. Each of the four sides of the display case has a security laser, making it very clear that this piece is not to be disturbed.
The scenic has some highs and lows here. The overall look from afar is aesthetically pleasing and adequately sells the intended vibe. However, upon closer inspection there are some immersion breaking flaws in the set. Several paper labels taped around the room that advise not to touch the lights, and some cheaper feeling props slightly lower the overall quality of the scenic.
The Big Score is a non-linear game. To be exact, there are four distinct puzzle paths that need to be completed in order to win the game.
The egg is sealed inside a protective display case with a red light on each side. In order to steal the precious piece, Mr. Doe’s team of thieves must turn each light green by solving the individual puzzle routes that correspond to the four sides of the encasement.
This style of game design can work really well with good puzzles that engage the entire group. Unfortunately, the challenges required to make off with the art leave a bit to be desired.
Tasks were either fairly easy or quite difficult without the help of a hint. The easy ones were not rewarding and didn’t provide any big “ah ha!” moments. While much of the game involves combination locks and code cracking, a few clever puzzle mechanics do go a long way in making The Big Score more interesting.
The Big Score is an approachable escape game for all levels of players. Enthusiasts will find it’s on the easier side of the spectrum, but a couple creative elements make it worthwhile. First time players will definitely be challenged, but not to the point of disliking the experience.
It is worth noting that this game was previously “The Heist” at Escape Room Challenge in nearby Marlton, NJ. While much of the gameplay is the same, a significantly updated scenic and a few small changes make this a notably better version. If you played The Heist before it was moved to Venture Escape, you’d be better off checking out Galahad or Midnight City here.
Each game at Venture Escape Room casts the guests as a starring (or supporting) role in a feature film. This unique take on theming adventures to be movies opens the door for some really creative experiences. With plans and plenty of room to expand, we here at Escape Authority are certainly excited to see what cinematic masterpieces will be showing at Venture Escape Room next!
Venue: Venture Escape Room
Location: Haddon Township, NJ
Number of Games: 3
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 10 people
Group Type: Public / You may be paired with strangers.
Cost: $28 per person
We thank Venture Escape Room for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.