[187] The Cipher Room: La Rébellion

Date: 28/01/2024

Company Name: The Cipher Room

Room: La Rébellion

Cost: $57 per person (Team of 4)

Time Allowed: 60 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.cipherroom.com.au/ourgames

Location: 31-35 May St, St Peters NSW 2044

Best Parking: Street Parking is best/Parking lot - 2-6 Princes Hwy, Alexandria NSW 2015

Succeeded: Yes, in approximately 52 minutes

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 9
• Room Quality: 10
• Immersion: 10
• Puzzle Design: 9 
• Fun Factor: 10

Overall: 9.60/10

Room Description: 

La Rébellion is set in a dystopian France, where a despotic leader is in power. You are part of a brave resistance group known as the Rebelles. 

The Rebelles have heard about a secret bunker owned by the evil leader. Inside this bunker is something that may help your rebellion, and ultimately bring down the presidency. Your mission is to locate it. And fast.

Can you infiltrate the bunker without being detected? What lengths will the other rebels go to, to assist you in your mission?

Comments:
Wow is the word that echoed through my mind multiple times at the conclusion of this remarkable experience. Meeting Marise, one of The Cipher Room owners, after completing my 24th escape room and our team's 21st outing was a fortunate bonus. Her generosity in discussing this marvel of a room left us immensely grateful.

La Rébellion lived up to, if not exceeded, expectations. Crafted with the same meticulous attention as other Cipher Room creations, it boasted phenomenal theming rooted in a robust historical backstory. The level of detail was extraordinary, contributing to a truly immersive experience. The puzzles within the room were not just fantastic but also diverse, ranging from challenging to thoroughly enjoyable. Each puzzle seamlessly fit the space, displaying clever design and unparalleled construction quality.

Among The Cipher Room's visually spectacular offerings, La Rébellion held moments that felt downright magical. It now firmly holds the top spot in my list, surpassing even the beautifully crafted Mr. Pepper's room. If there were a bucket list of escape rooms in Sydney, La Rébellion would undoubtedly be at the pinnacle.

Thank you again, Marise, for your time, and we eagerly anticipate the exciting future that lies ahead for The Cipher Room.

[187] The Cipher Room: Espionage

Date: 28/01/2024

Company Name: The Cipher Room

Room: Espionage

Cost: $57 per person (Team of 4)

Time Allowed: 60 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.cipherroom.com.au/ourgames

Location: 640 King St, Newtown NSW 2042

Best Parking: Street Parking is best/Parking lot - 2-6 Princes Hwy, Alexandria NSW 2015

Succeeded: Yes, in approximately 56 minutes

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 7
• Room Quality: 8
• Immersion: 7
• Puzzle Design: 7
• Fun Factor: 8

Overall: 7.40/10

Room Description: 

It’s 1945 and you’ve just been recruited as a spy. You receive an urgent message from another agent. She needs to meet you at a safe house where she's been conducting surveillance. Once you arrive, you discover that she's nowhere to be found. However, before she fled 'Agent M' managed to leave you a series of clues. You need to solve these puzzles to locate the secret she's been protecting.

Where did the agent go? Why did she leave in such a hurry? And what mission does she need you to complete?

Comments:
The Cipher Room welcomed our team back after our last visit in July '23, marking my personal count of 23 rooms and our team's 20th. Despite being Cipher's oldest room, Espionage showcased timeless appeal. From friendly gamesmasters to a uniquely aesthetic venue, everything seamlessly fell into place. The room's design, filled with content, followed a non-linear structure, catering to our team's diverse preferences.

Espionage featured an engaging mix of puzzles, ranging from deceptively simple to those requiring creative thinking. The blend of low and high-tech elements, cleverly concealed to align with the 1940s theme, added an extra layer of intrigue. The craftsmanship behind the puzzle pieces and props was evident, reflecting the considerable time invested in designing and creating every element of the room. Once again, we left Espionage and The Cipher Room as very satisfied customers!

[187] Mission Room Escape: The Last Order

Date: 27/01/2024

Company Name: Mission Room Escape

Room: The Last Order

Cost: $46 per person (Team of 5)

Time Allowed: 75 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.missionsydney.com/pitt-street-venue/

Location: Suite 202, 332-336 Pitt St, Fortuna House, Sydney

Best Parking: Secure Parking - 101 Goulburn St, Haymarket NSW 2000

Succeeded: Yes, in approximately 1 hour

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 7
• Room Quality: 7
• Immersion: 6
• Puzzle Design: 6
• Fun Factor: 7

Overall: 6.60/10

Room Description: 

You are a member of an international assassin syndicate. Your superior ‘James’ is one of the syndicate’s highest-ranking members and he is currently in hiding from the police.

One day, you receive an unmarked letter in the mail. The letter’s message reads: “I have kidnapped your family. They are safe, but not for long. If you ever want to see them again, go to level 2 of this hotel before…”

You quickly pack your bags and on the way to the hotel, you contact the most trustworthy member in the syndicate you know – ‘David’ – and beg him to help identify the kidnapper. He agrees to help you behind the scenes. Arriving at the hotel, you are ready to do anything to save your family.

Comments:
The Last Order marked my 22nd escape room experience, and for our group, it was the 19th and final room to conclude our time at Mission Room Escape. Fresh off completing Vampire Castle just 10 minutes earlier, we dove straight into The Last Order. This room was distinct, primarily constituting a single-room escape. While we've encountered similar setups before, The Last Order stood out with its intricate balance of tasks and a captivating storyline to unravel.

In contrast to some of Mission's other rooms with dazzling wow factors, The Last Order leaned heavily on a robust backstory and exceptionally well-crafted puzzles. The method of seeking clues departed from the traditional walkie-talkie system or a voice from the God, opting for a tablet provided at the start. This unique approach added a refreshing layer to the escape room experience, setting it apart from Mission's other offerings.

The puzzles, diverse and cleverly constructed, incorporated various elements that seamlessly fit within the space. Despite lacking the flashy elements found in some of Mission's other rooms, The Last Order compensated with its immersive narrative and engaging puzzles.

With about 15 minutes to spare, we successfully escaped The Last Order, bringing our Mission Room Escape adventure to a close. Until we meet again, Mission, thanks for the memorable rooms and unique experiences!

[187] Mission Room Escape: Vampire Castle

Date: 27/01/2024

Company Name: Mission Room Escape

Room: Vampire Castle

Cost: $36 per person (Team of 5)

Time Allowed: 60 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.missionsydney.com/pitt-street-venue/

Location: Suite 202, 332-336 Pitt St, Fortuna House, Sydney

Best Parking: Secure Parking - 101 Goulburn St, Haymarket NSW 2000

Succeeded: Yes, approximately 48 minutes.

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 7
• Room Quality: 5
• Immersion: 7
• Puzzle Design: 5 
• Fun Factor: 6

Overall: 6/10

Room Description: 

It’s just gone nightfall, and after a day of exploring the countryside, you and a friend seek refuge in a nearby gloomy castle to take shelter from a storm.

Upon entering, the door behind you creaks closed- locking you inside. Suddenly, you’re transported to what seems like The Middle Ages… can you solve this mystery and return to your own time before any further supernatural experiences prevent you?

Comments:
The Vampire Castle marked my 21st escape room adventure, and for our group, it was the 18th. Our visit aimed to partake in The Last Order, wrapping up our exploration of both Mission venues. Aware that the Vampire Castle was considered a beginner's room, our experienced group was well-prepared, though the staff amusingly cautioned us to "not get our expectations up." Despite this peculiar interaction, the hospitality at Mission remained consistent with our previous experiences.

We only requested one clue during the game, and in our defence, a team member was already on the verge of solving the part where we briefly got stuck. While the room proved to be enjoyable, its dated feel was evident. Perhaps a refresh or a new addition from the beloved Mission brand could be in the works. Nevertheless, the theme was executed incredibly well, delivering an eerie and occasionally frightening atmosphere. The incorporation of high-tech puzzles elevated the overall theming. However, some scavenging and hunting elements left room for the imagination.

In approximately 48 minutes, our team successfully escaped The Vampire Castle. In conclusion, our gratitude to Mission for consistently providing us with quality rooms. We eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this escape room venue.

[Kyle] Scram Escape Rooms: The Doll House

Date: 21/01/2024

Company Name: Scram Escape Rooms

Room: The Doll House

Cost: $55 per person (Team of 4)

Time Allowed: 60 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.scramescaperooms.com.au/o-connell-street

Location: 48/2 O'Connell St, Parramatta NSW 2150

Best Parking: Parramatta Westfields is a short walk <5 Minutes

Succeeded: Yes with a time extension

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 9
• Room Quality: 6
• Immersion: 7
• Puzzle Design: 6 
• Fun Factor: 7

Overall: 7.00/10

Room Description: 

You have been trapped in a Doll House as The Masters life sized toys. The other Dolls know how to escape. Find them to be free!

Comments:
My inaugural visit to the O'Connell Street branch at Scram was a delightful experience, largely thanks to the welcoming host and gamesmaster, Annie. Simon and I were taking this room on with my partner and my brother instead of our usual team of four but right from the start, Annie's exceptional service stood out. Despite arriving with one less person than our booking, she skilfully navigated the situation, ensuring we only paid for the attendees present – a thoughtful gesture considering typical company terms and conditions.

Moving on to the room itself, it lived up to its pre-description, delivering a genuine sense of entrapment. The innovative setup, sparked intriguing brainstorming sessions early on. The room's mechanics were particularly noteworthy, featuring multiple electro-magnets that seamlessly activated when puzzles were solved, revealing hidden elements.

However, we encountered a brief hiccup in the middle of the experience. Due to a mistaken use of a prop, we unintentionally skipped a few puzzles, disrupting the intended sequence of events. With the guidance of our fantastic gamesmaster and some thoughtful deliberation, we were promptly redirected back on course. The room boasted well-timed jump scares, contributing to its dark and eerie ambiance.

Despite a minor time extension due to our detour, we emerged victorious. Eager to explore more, we plan to return to tackle the other two rooms at this venue.

Morty.app Best of 2023!

 

Hello everyone,

Kyle is back with another post and shout-out for Morty.app, and this time, it's all about their latest blog post (https://blog.morty.app/blog-posts/best-of-morty-2023). Unlike the TERPECA awards, it seems our Aussie escape rooms fared quite well. The blog post outlines their unique criteria for selecting rooms for the list.

It's heartening to see some appreciation for our local escape rooms, but the mission is only halfway accomplished. So, please don't hesitate to sign up for the app—available on the web, Android, and iOS. It's genuinely a one-stop-shop for all things Escape Room related. You can track your rooms, wishlist future adventures, write reviews, and much more. The more people involved, the better the experience for everyone. :)

Anyway, enough of my rambling— huge congratulations to everyone that made the list, but here's the list of Australian rooms that made the cut this year!

Company	Attraction	Region	Country
Containaphobia	Mayhem Manor	Victoria	Australia
Mission Escape George St	Unstoppable	New South Wales	Australia
Mission Escape George St	The Sacrifice	New South Wales	Australia
Mission Escape George St	Intruders	New South Wales	Australia
Next Level Escape	The Artefact	New South Wales	Australia
Next Level Escape	The Game	New South Wales	Australia
Next Level Escape	Forest of Echoes	New South Wales	Australia
Project Immersive	Area 1: The Portal	Queensland	Australia
Project Immersive	Area 1: Nuclear Enrichment	Queensland	Australia
Riddle Room Canbera	The Hotel	Australian Capital Territory	Australia
Rush Escape Game St Kilda	Alice In Wonderland	Victoria	Australia
Rush Escape Game St Kilda	The Conjoining	Victoria	Australia
Social Escape Rooms	Bank Heist	New South Wales	Australia
Social Escape Rooms	Ransom	New South Wales	Australia
The Cipher Room Newtown Location	The Cabin	New South Wales	Australia
The Cipher Room Newtown Location	Espionage	New South Wales	Australia
The Cipher Room Newtown Location	The Marlowe Hotel	New South Wales	Australia
The Cipher Room St Peters Location	Mr Pepper’s Toy Shop	New South Wales	Australia
The Cipher Room St Peters Location	La Rébellion	New South Wales	Australia
The Curium Experience	Extraction	Victoria	Australia
Ultimate Roomscape	The Warrens	Western Australia	Australia

Cheers,
Kyle.
187 Escape Artists

[187] Scram Escape Rooms: The Hangover

Date: 05/01/2024

Company Name: Scram Escape Rooms

Room: The Hangover

Cost: $55 per person (Team of 4)

Time Allowed: 60 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.scramescaperooms.com.au/church-street

Location: level 1/240 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150

Best Parking: Street Parking is best/Eat Street Car Park: 30 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

Succeeded: No

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 7
• Room Quality: 7
• Immersion: 7
• Puzzle Design: 6 
• Fun Factor: 7

Overall: 6.80/10

Room Description: 

Congratulations! You're getting married! Let's celebrate with a wild night out with friends before the big day.

Oh no. What happened last night?

Where are you?

Where is your phone?

Where is your wallet?

Where is the... ring?!

Comments:
Kyle: The Hangover immerses you in a unique ambiance. Despite venturing through numerous spine-chilling escape rooms, this one stands out as the first and only labeled as an 'adults only room' sans any jump scares. It radiates a playful and mischievous energy, making our experience thoroughly enjoyable.

This escape room exudes a sly charm, paying homage to the film of the same name. It cleverly incorporates elements reminiscent of waking up after a wild night out. While some puzzles maintain a conventional tone, others explicitly signal that this is an exclusive 18+ adventure. The room offers a delightful mix of puzzles, ranging from traditional lock-and-key challenges (with keys ingeniously hidden in unique spots) to more sophisticated tech puzzles, seamlessly integrated as always. The inclusion of hunt-and-seek elements adds an appreciated layer of fun. The puzzles align seamlessly with the space, contributing cohesively to the storyline.

Unfortunately, success eluded us this time around. Entering the room with three instead of our usual four members certainly played its part. However, after the Gamesmaster walked us through the remaining challenges, we realized we had come eerily close to success. Considering the sheer amount of content in this beautifully crafted room, the experience was still fulfilling.

Simon: This room, as expected, had such a party vibe to it and was quite fun. Based on the movie "The Hangover" it certainly lived up to it's 18+ age rating. It was very lewd but in a tasteful and fun way. Despite the party vibe, the puzzles were challenging and did take a fair effort to solve. With that said, readers, once again I chose meth instead of math to help us escape this room ... it did not work! The lesson is: Don't take drugs kids ... sell them instead and make money! I'm just kidding, but I need to stay away from maths, it always fails me in escape rooms. There was a nice integration of the ambient music with the theme of the room. Very well done from Scram Escape Rooms.