RATING: 5 Keys         RESULT: Won          REMAINING: 33:06

A tiny cabin makes a big impact by setting a whole new standard for theatrical potential in the Tampa Bay area!

While on a hiking trip with friends, we stumble upon an old cabin in the woods and decide to check it out. The door closes behind us and locks us in. We soon discover that this little cabin is not all that it appears.

Cabin in the Woods is an experience that’s more about environment than it necessarily is about story. Admittedly, the story here is a bit light. We find the cabin. We go in the cabin. We get locked in the cabin. On paper, there’s not much more to it – but in its execution none of that seems to matter. There’s an unquestionably unwelcoming mood in the air inside the cabin that in a sense tells all the story that needs to be told.

We’re here, yet we know we shouldn’t be. And now we’re about to get caught.

It’s narrative simplicity, coupled with its high quality scenic makes Cabin in the Woods a storyworld that’s easy to get immersed into.

Scenically, Cabin in the Woods is Tampa Bay Escape Room taking what they do and cranking it up to eleven.

Holy cow, what a wonderfully immersive scenic environment they’ve created for this one! It’s stunningly detailed, and every inch of the very small space feels completely authentic.

The smaller room size (and subsequently much smaller group size of up to just four people) creates a far more intimate feel for this experience and allows players to feel more personally connected within the storyworld.

There’s simply no question that you’re in an old log cabin – with textured walls, moody theatrical lighting and a storm churning outside the windows. There’s something ominous about this place that conveys without words the urgent need to get out as quickly as we can.

To preface we do need to admit that Cabin in the Woods was definitely an easier game – but it needs to be stressed that this might be one of it’s biggest pros, not cons. Too often venues get caught up in the “we need to make it super difficult” mindset that can in effect alienate their core demographic of less experienced players.

But what Cabin in the Woods achieves, and it’s no easy task, is to create a game suitable for novices that is still completely compelling to experienced players like ourselves. Every second of this game is fun. It flows smoothly and it never felt too easy for us to be challenged.

The puzzles are intuitive, and the fit within the world – making use of objects in the cabin itself like the fireplace or an antique shotgun collection to help bring the world around us to life as an active piece of the story.

Cabin in the Woods is Tampa Bay Escape Room’s newest game, and even though it’s physically their smallest, it is unquestionably their most ambitious. Thanks to their ability to engage with a new scenic fabrication partner, the venue is now poised to create a foothold for themselves in the Tampa Bay market that won’t soon be challenged.

The level of scenic quality and theatrical immersion exhibited in Cabin in the Woods sets a new standard for Tampa Bay Escape Room moving forward, making them without a doubt a must-watch venue as they continue to grow. They tell us they even have plans to revisit their other previous rooms and “plus” the experience with improved scenic and effects to bring the rest up to par with the new bar they’ve set for themselves.

The staff here are incredibly enthusiastic about their product, and always excited to receive feedback and opinions from their guests. This is without a doubt always the first key to growing a brand – and something that Tampa Bay Escape Room clearly recognizes.

With Cabin in the Woods, they’ve found the means of connecting those elusive dots to produce a truly 5 key attraction. And despite the foreboding storm outside that little cabin, the future is very bright for Tampa Bay Escape Room.

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Venue:  Tampa Bay Escape Room

Location: Clearwater, Florida

Number of Games: 3

GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Duration: 60 minutes

Capacity: 4 people

Group Type: Public / You may be paired with strangers.

Cost: $28 per person

We thank Tampa Bay 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.