RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 28:00
I guess if you’re getting quarantined, an escape room isn’t the worst place to be!
It’s Friday night. Dinner just wrapped up and Los Angeles socialites are looking for something to do to keep the evening going. They wander down Sepulveda, until they stumble upon an escape game company. They think – “Sure, why not? Could be fun” – and head on in. But the infection has already begun to spread. The undead are starting to reanimate and rise in the darkness. Now “locked” in a simulated escape experience, they must do the exact opposite to survive – effectively barricade their position and find a way to communicate with the outside world to summon a rescue team.
Maze Rooms has flipped the escape game on its head with their execution of They’re Coming. Basically split into three distinct segments, it begins with a general “escape the room,” transforms into more of an “escape IN” situation, and then ultimately concludes with an escape via rescue attempt. Many escape experiences are able to execute unique concepts and themes, but They’re Coming establishes an objective (cleverly utilizing the escape room as a sort of “false beginning”), throws it completely away, and reimagines a brand new scenario, all within the parameters of one hour.
They’re Coming presents three distinct and impressive locations, each contrasting greatly from the others and providing its own set of difficulties and puzzle structure.
To begin, the scene is set as a generic single-cubicle office. A computer sits on a small desk with calendars, whiteboards, and posters hung on the walls (an Army of Darkness easter egg among them). This is the space where the room capacity is truly exemplified, as any more than four would be far too crowded. This claustrophobic surrounding is obviously intentional though as it establishes a heightened tension to set the stage for the remainder of the game.
After breaking out of this overtly self-aware “escape game within an escape game,” survivors find their way into the alley behind the building. This room expands in dimension significantly from the first, raising the ceilings and allowing a more spread out approach to puzzle solving than the original room. There are obvious signs of struggle and apocalyptic preparation, not to mention the usual Los Angeles graffiti and overgrowth. Lighting is softer and dimmer than the office before it, but still bright enough for solving-purposes.
Eventually, a bunker-type warehouse is found where finally the still-living can make a stand and hold their position, albeit after they find a way to turn on the lights. The ceiling expands even higher in this final area, opening up the game as a whole and highlighting the cobwebs tucked into the corners of the room. Gigantic wooden crates stack in one corner, a veritable weapon locker sits in another. Multiple windows and doors lie exposed, in need of securing at once. Every piece of They’re Coming feels authentic to the environment at hand, and envelopes the hopeful escapees in a creative and exciting storyworld.
Maze Rooms has created an experience with They’re Coming that allots for many various puzzle types throughout the gameplay.
Most of the puzzles in the beginning are pretty basic in their structure and design. They perfectly replicate the kinds of riddles that would be found in any office-themed escape game. Maze Rooms then begins to sprinkle in new twists to these puzzles as the original game being played in the first room begins to fall away.
Once the apocalypse is in full stride, many of the puzzles switch to being more tactile and realistic. Survivors have to find a way to turn on a power generator, barricade a window with wooden planks, even find a way to end the threat of a zombie making its way into the warehouse. The puzzles remain creative and fun to solve, while also feeling very “real world” in their implementation, ultimately providing some very memorable moments to take away.
They’re Coming ultimately feels like the most successful version of any zombie apocalypse style escape game. The puzzles never feel arbitrary or in existence “because escape game.” The scenic planning was well thought-out and executed, utilizing a decently-sized space in a way that makes it feel immense.
They’re Coming has been a work in progress for some time now and suffice it to say, it definitely feels worth the wait. If you haven’t made it over to Maze Rooms Culver City in a while, go check out their newest undead adventure. Just make sure to brush up on your zombie apocalypse survival skills first.
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Venue: Maze Rooms
Location: Culver City, CA
Number of Games: 3
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 4 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: $49.50 per person (group of two), $33 per person (group of 3 and up)
We thank Maze Rooms for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.