RATING: 3 Keys          RESULT: Win           REMAINING: 4:28

Mission Control, do you read me? I’m lost in a wormhoooo…….

Travel through time and space to restore the pillars of intergalactic balance! Embark on an epic and bizarre journey through a wormhole filled with mysterious machinery, confounding clues, and funky physics. Can your team work together to untangle the space/time continuum and restore the balance of the universe before it is too late?

The legendary Captain Derrick Pitts is in serious trouble. He has been sent through a wormhole and the only way he can be safely returned to the current time and place is with the help of an intrepid space exploration crew.

Team members better suit up, strap their wristbands on, and head straight for the wormhole! Time is limited as there is only one hour of oxygen left aboard the spaceship.

Intergalactic Escape takes space travelers through many different environments, each with their own unique scenic style.

The game begins in the wormhole itself… we think? Floor to ceiling mirrors cover every wall within this relatively small space. Flashing multi-colored lights bounce around the “wormhole” endlessly and musical notes echo throughout the room.

After navigating through the disco party of an entrance, intergalactic explorers find themselves in the control room of a space craft. Multiple computer monitors, keyboards, and buttons accompany the stark white design of the command center.

Once the spacecraft is navigated to a martian planet, the team encounters the most scenically captivating part of the game. This other-worldly area glows with color bouncing off the rock formations. Futuristic space tech is scattered around the planet with lots of areas for exploration.

The scenic in Intergalactic Escape is without a doubt the highlight of the game. Multiple distinct spaces all have an authentic look and help bring the experience to life.

Intergalactic Escape, much like The Franklin Institute’s other escape game Island Escape, employs some pretty unique puzzling mechanics not found in many other venues. While there is some straightforward solving to be done, much of the game is more task based activities.

Space travelers begin their adventure with a challenge that may prove to be very frustrating for some. It is an audio-centric puzzle that requires matching musical notes to buttons around the room. The tones are annoyingly similar, and the initial lack of direction may cause some players to check out early on.

The rest of the game is a mix between following directions on a screen, pressing buttons, and triggering poorly hidden RFID readers. While many of the tasks fit within the storyworld of trying to rescue Captain Derrick Pitts, there are a few puzzles for puzzles sake.

Intergalactic Escape utilizes plenty of technology, which works well given the futuristic theme of the game. However, it at times feels like it relies on a unique gimmick a bit too much. Each player is assigned a character role and is given a corresponding RFID enabled wristband. The bracelets trigger specific actions throughout the game, but instead of being intertwined as an interesting puzzle it become more of a “let’s use this tech because we can” mechanism.

One additional point of frustration came in the form of a four by four vertically oriented slider puzzle that was tucked away in a dark corner. Why was there a slider puzzle on an alien planet? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. The image proved difficult to decipher without lots of trial and error which became quite tedious given the location within the space.

Intergalactic Escape is another unique experience that museum goers can enjoy. The fun and intriguing scenic helps carry the game and raise its immersiveness. Unfortunately the game is plagued with a few confusing puzzles that sour the overall experience. We did greatly appreciate the humorous touches throughout the game that let let players know not to take the experience so seriously.

Due to it’s location inside one of Philadelphia’s most popular museums, this game has the unique opportunity to introduce tons of new people to the escape game genre. For that, it is well executed as a fun challenge that will certainly be a new activity for first time players. However, it would be nice to see a game with such a unique opportunity to introduce new people to the market better showcase what an escape game can be. More intuitive puzzle design, clearer objectives, and a little less chaos would go a long way in making this game leave a better first impression on guests.

Intergalactic Escape was originally designed for The Franklin Institute (TFI) by Steel Owl Productions. TFI is the owner and operator of the game and has made some changes to the original design.

Venue: The Franklin Institute

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Number of Games: 2

GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Duration: 60 minutes

Capacity: 12 people

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

Cost: $28 per person, $25 with museum membership

We thank The Franklin Institute for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.