Review: Rabbit Hole Recreation Services - Ruins Of The Mystic Temple

RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 9:06

Despite our best efforts to carefully vet our team of explorers, one untrustworthy soul has taken off with our treasure and what ensues is an adventure that’s as thrilling as it is dangerous.

Story

You and your team of treasure hunters have uncovered an artifact that you believe could lead you to the location of a lost Mayan temple filled with hoards of hidden treasure. Beware, we have heard rumors that the temple is very dangerous and filled with traps for unwelcome visitors. If you don’t find the treasure quickly, it may consume you.

We’ve found ourselves exploring yet another crumbling temple in search of lost treasure. This time, however, it was a relief to discover that instead of being trapped inside a collapsed tomb running out of oxygen, our team of explorers learn that we have already found said treasure. Huzzah!

Not so fast. The festivities are cut short when a thieving teammate sneaks out under cover of darkness and has taken all of our newly discovered gold with them. Our adventure leads us not to escaping from the Ruins of The Mystic Temple, but first to figuring out how to get back inside and ultimately catch up to our greedy expedition member to reclaim the stolen treasure.

It’s these creative twists on an escape game trope that set Rabbit Hole Recreation Services apart, leaving explorers to quickly realize they are in for an adventure that is not only thoughtfully put together, but downright fun. The story plays out naturally and is told through items found within the world of the temple, not simply told to the expedition before entering the game.

Scenic

For those who have ever wanted to run wild in a world reminiscent of Nickelodeon’s Legends Of Hidden Temple, look no further! Immediately upon approaching the entrance to the Ruins of the Mystic Temple, explorers are enveloped in a world oozing with detail. Every inch of the environment felt carefully crafted and authentic.

From jungle foliage to stone walls engraved with the requisite ancient symbols, the world of Ruins of the Mystic Temple is entirely custom made and feels real.

Tech is integrated in a way that is natural and appropriate to the environment and time period. Even glowing stone panels integrate so seamlessly that it just feels like mystical magic.

Ambient noise adds an additional level of realism and ratchets up the tension at just the right moments.

Puzzles

Films such as Indiana Jones and The Goonies have primed explorers to accept a world in which ancient temples are filled with traps and puzzles, and as a result, every step along the journey made sense given the narrative. We appreciated that storyworld continuity while focusing on catching the explorer who absconded with the Mayan’s precious treasure.

With not a single store bought combination lock in sight, all of the tasks required of temple explorers flow intuitively and feel natural to the storyworld.

Practical challenges, such as figuring out how to turn on a generator that would actually enable use of electricity to illuminate the otherwise dimly lit temple space, serve to further immerse explorers into the storyworld of Ruins of the Mystic Temple.

Overall

Starting with the venue’s unique name, which we confirmed was a nod to memorable film, The Game’s Consumer Recreation Services, there exists a tangible sense of intrigue before even arriving at the venue. And culminating in one of the best “Ta-da!” moments that we have experienced in an escape game to date, Ruins Of The Mystic Temple left our crew of experienced explorers smiling from ear to ear.

While the footprint of the game is not nearly as expansive as some other temple-themed adventures, it packs so much into the space that it feels as if the expedition had completed a massive journey with a worthy pay off and satisfying story arc.

Ruins Of The Mystic Temple created a sense of discovery and wonder that had us wishing the game would have gone on even longer. Although this is Rabbit Hole Recreation Service’s first entry into the world of escape games, it is clear their passion for creating immersive adventures makes them a facility to keep an eye on.