RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 11:46
I would like to apologize in advance for the number of Guardians of the Galaxy references I’m about to make; Aliens Made Me Do It.
Your crew has been hired to retrieve a weapon device aboard an abandoned space ship. The choices you make may very well decide the fate of many people’s lives.
Abandoned space ships, explosive weapons that could destroy the galaxy, shady alien outlaws; what more could you want from a space-themed escape room? Often rooms with promising themes will disappoint players with lackluster plots and minimal world-building. Fortunately, with Galaxy Quest this was not the case.
A unique array of personalities and plot motivations sucks intergalactic adventurers into this storyworld with the force of a black hole and doesn’t let them out until long after the game has ended. Characters like the mysterious Krylor, a nefarious space bandit who (rightfully) lacks confidence in the sound of his own voice, and the endearing Boglin, with its playful tendencies verging on hoarding, help craft the world the players are trying to save – or destroy – making the motivation much more tangible.
Never has the responsibility of saving billions of lives ever felt so whimsical and fun! Get ready to channel your inner Kevin Bacon, as the Galaxy’s fate is in your hands.
Galaxy Quest offers an impressive decor which continues to add to the immersive experience of this game. The interior of the Pandorus space ship is covered with overgrown alien plants and fungi and is in an overall chaotic state. It was clear that this ship was abandoned in a hurry, but what caused the desertion? This question plagued us throughout the entirety of the experience and created a palpable tension that added momentum to each puzzle.
The environment in the spaceship inspires a slight sense of discomfort and dread; a testament to the time and care that was put into making the settings and props look realistic. Good scenic theming of a room must evoke a feeling from the player without distracting them from the actual game, and this is exactly what 60out does with Galaxy Quest.
As mentioned previously, the puzzles of Galaxy Quest have a momentum to them that drives the pace and urgency of the game. Each task is integrated seamlessly into the decor of the ship allowing the player to remain engaged in the storyworld that has been built. The hint system helps break the tension of the game with a witty AI helper, Cozmo.
There are three different rooms in the game that require three unique approaches to succeed and progress. This keeps galactic adventurers feeling refreshed and excited rather than bogged down by the repetitive tasks that many escape rooms offer as their “puzzles”. A particularly fun interaction involved the Boglin, which offered a refreshing break from the more action-packed nature of the rest of the game.
Variety is the spice of life, and Galaxy Quest invigorates the pacing with their engaging assortment of puzzles that offered a nice challenge, even to our experienced group. Nothing truly went over our heads though; our reflexes are excellent and we would have caught it.
It is important to note that although this is the third version of a space-themed game to come out of this location, its contents are completely different and light years ahead of prior iterations. 60out has done something special with the world-building element of this escape experience.
Story, environment, and puzzles all contribute to creating the sense of being a true space outlaw (you know, like John Stamos). Each of these factors also contributes to a momentum that drives the game and crescendos into a final choice, leaving the fate of the galaxy in our hands.
Many escape rooms have great components: a nice design, fun puzzles, an interesting story. Few rooms, however, are able to blend all its components into one satisfying experience. Galaxy Quest was able to do this without us even noticing it which, simply put, is a sign of a well-crafted and excellently executed attraction. So grab your Quad Blasters, scrounge up your extra credits, and get ready to save the galaxy… or, destroy it; whatever – we won’t judge you.
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Venue: 60out
Location: Los Angeles, California
Number of Games: 3
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 6 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: $40 per person (a minimum of two people are required for booking, then prices vary for each additional player.)
We thank 60out for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.