The Cipher Room - The Cabin

Date: 29/09/2024

Company Name: The Cipher Room

Room: The Cabin

Cost: $62 per person (Team of 6)

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, with about 2-3 minutes remaining

Room Description: 

You're a detective who's been investigating a serial killer case. One day your team gets a promising lead about someone acting suspiciously. They have been visiting an abandoned old cabin and strange noises have been heard coming from it. You obtain a search warrant and you and your team go in to investigate.

What is inside the mysterious old cabin? Have you finally found the killer? Can you discover their identity?

Comments:

Heading back to what might just be my all-time favorite escape room venue, The Cipher Room, we had a little shake-up in our team. With six of us on a mission—not only to tackle an amazing escape room but also to find parking in a jam-packed Newtown on a Saturday night—we somehow managed to snag a spot nearby. Small victories!

We kicked off the evening with a great meal and a few drinks at Buddy's Bar before heading towards the beautiful establishment that is The Cipher Room.

Luke and I were particularly excited for this one, as it marked our fifth and final badge (at the time of writing) from The Cipher Room. And let me tell you, the theming in The Cabin is next level once again. As self-proclaimed escape room enthusiasts, I couldn’t help but take a moment to wander around and soak in the ambiance. Every inch of the room is brimming with intricate details that draw you in. From the moment we stepped inside, we were transported from the busy streets of King Street in Newtown to a remote cabin in the woods. The immersive combination of sounds, lighting, and expertly crafted props transformed the space into something truly special. It’s clear that a ton of thought and artistry went into every single aspect of the design.

When it comes to puzzles, The Cabin delivers a fantastic variety. What really stood out were the handmade puzzles—many of which we hadn’t encountered before, even after completing close to 50 rooms! That’s a rare find for seasoned escape room players. There’s an impressive balance of low-tech and high-tech puzzles, with some really clever mechanisms woven throughout.

It’s worth noting that this is not your typical family-friendly room. The Cabin leans towards the eerie and creepy, but rest assured, there are no jump scares. It’s more about building a sense of suspense and atmosphere.

I’d rate this room as quite challenging. Our team did end up utilising a few hints to make it through within the 60-minute time limit. As always, the game masters at The Cipher Room are always ready to offer guidance and aid in any way possible.

I sincerely can't wait for what the future lies for The Cipher Room and genuinely look forward to any future rooms that may or may not be on the horizon. 

[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] The Cipher Room: Marlowe Hotel

Date: 23/07/2023

Company Name: The Cipher Room

Room: Marlowe Hotel

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 or Parking lot 2-6 Princes Hwy, Alexandria NSW 2015

Succeeded: Yes

Rating: 

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

Overall: 7.60/10

Room Description: 

Step into your own black and white, film noir adventure! You are a private investigator in 1950's New York. One day you receive a letter from Betty McGee - a singer at the notorious Marlowe Hotel. She informs you that the gangster kingpin and hotel owner, Eddie Marlowe, is trying to blackmail her with incriminating material. She needs you to break in and retrieve the documents. You know Eddie is bad news, but you agree to take the case.

What secrets await you inside the hotel? How will you locate the photos? What do you really know about Eddie Marlowe? 

Comments:
Kyle: The Marlowe Hotel immerses players into a captivating black-and-white film noir adventure, reflecting its purely black/grey and white aesthetic. The magic truly begins as the compelling story unfolds seamlessly within the fantastic theme. Despite being rated a challenging 5/5 on their website, our team, perhaps in top form that night, triumphed with over 10 minutes to spare, even with minimal hints. The Marlowe Hotel boasts a mix of low-tech and subtle high-tech puzzles, showcasing hidden lock mechanisms that add to the mystery as doors open almost magically. Each puzzle, though challenging, remains entirely solvable, contributing to another high-quality room from Cipher!

Josh: (Will edit)

Simon: The setting of this escape room was amazing! With the theme being film-noir, the room really encapsulates all the great elements of the mid 1900's genre. If we had have turned up in black and grey suits it would've felt exactly like were in a film-noir crime drama masterpiece! Very classy setting! The puzzles were challenging and some were unique. Overall our team did quite well. Cipher has contiued to deliver on it's well thought out and challenging rooms. After missing 3 escape rooms, the blue flannel made it's triumphant return!

[187] The Cipher Room: Mr Pepper's Toy Shop

Date: 22/01/2023

Company Name: The Cipher Room

Room: Mr Pepper's Toy Shop

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 or Parking lot 2-6 Princes Hwy, Alexandria NSW 2015

Succeeded: Yes

Rating: 

• Hospitality/Gamesmaster: 8/10
• Room Quality: 10/10
• Immersion: 9/10
• Puzzle Design: 10/10
• Fun Factor: 10/10

Overall: 9.4/10

Room Description:

Your business card might say ‘Real Estate Agent’, but that’s only part of the story. You work for S.C.A.R.E. (Supernatural Consultancy And Real Estate) a quirky agency that specialises in haunted properties. 

One day you’re sent to inspect a dilapidated and abandoned toy shop. Tucked down an alleyway in the old part of town, the shop has been empty for over 70 years. Lately, however, strange noises and lights have been reported coming from inside. It’s your job to venture in and discover the truth. 

Is it really haunted? Why is it locked up? And what happened to the owner, Mr Pepper?

Comments:
Kyle: Plunged straight into my all-time favourites, Mr. Pepper's puzzles, in line with The Cipher Room's esteemed reputation, maintain an outstanding standard. They present a delightful mix of challenge and diversity, incorporating elements of hunt and seek for an added layer of enjoyment. The seamless integration of props into the room theming enhances the overall immersive experience. Despite its inherently dark theme, the game cultivates an eerie atmosphere rather than relying on outright fear. Unlike scenarios with NPCs jumping out at you, the focus is on immersing players in Mr. Pepper's world. While not shying away from well-timed jump scares, the overarching intent is to craft an engaging and immersive journey rather than relying on constant frights. There is one particular exhilarating moment throughout that creates a profound sense of euphoria, you won't miss it and I can honestly say I have never encountered anything like it before. Having completed this room, I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow Escapers, encouraging them to explore the unparalleled quality that defines The Cipher Room.

Josh: This room had been on my list for quite some time, since I first started researching the hobby. This did not disappoint and even though it was only our third room as a group at the time it, to this day, remains my favourite. Enter into Mr Pepper's Toy Shop at the Cipher Room. The toy shop has been abandoned and you are immediately thrust into this eerie, creepy and ominous location. If you don't love a scary Escape Room then perhaps be a bit wary of this one, however there is no jump scares or people waiting to pop out and surprise you. Instead it is all about the atmosphere created. I can only promise that if you can brave your fears to enter into this spooky toy store you will NOT be disappointed. While trying to avoid spoilers, I'll run you through some of the room highlights. The puzzles are fantastic, the room doesn't just rely on its atmosphere. All the puzzles make sense within the space and fit the abandoned toy store vibe. The train puzzle is still one of the most memorable puzzles I think we have completed in any room. All this is to say though that the thing that makes Mr Peppers, and indeed any Cipher Room game, special is the WOW moments. There is two major moments that stand out within this haunted toy store and to spare the spoilers that is all I'll say, but they are otherworldly. How the Cipher Room manages to create the final jaw dropping finale is well and truly beyond me but it is still the greatest thing I have seen in an Escape Room to this date (Dec. 2024). 

The Simon WTF are you doing moment of the Game: It's difficult to be critical of our friend here today, mostly as the aura of the room and how amazing it was are my lasting memory. So let me give you an insight into the Boys as a whole. I mentioned two moments above as the WOW moments of the game. One of them involves the lights going out. When the lights came back on the 4 of us were huddled together as tight as can be. I'd love to say this was the only time the 4 of us would cuddle together out of terror in escape rooms, but I'd be lying. It becomes a common trope for the 4 of us and I think its a great metaphor for how close we are as friends. It's also why we're an effective group.

Simon: You know when you watch a horror movie and you are disappointed with it because all it did was rely on cheap jump scares to give it that horror tag and built no atmosphere? This room is the exact opposite of that! This room is something special! The shear level of immersion is brought on so intensely by the settings and props in the room and the creepy atmosphere remains through out the entire experience. As a person who is most creeped out by dolls, toys and children with dolls and toys in horror movies, this room had me completely immersed from the start. You genuinely feel as though have just stepped into the shop of a seriously deranged owner. There are many moments where the puzzles are not purely centralised to one area, instead they incorporate many parts of the room. The way the narrative unfolds in the room is genius and I was amazed and creeped out at the same time. Additionally, every single puzzle fits with the theme of the room. There is a real sense of purpose with the puzzles and nothing is just in or a part of the room without a reason. The puzzles were fairly challenging with the added sense of fear due to the atmosphere. I will never forget the ending of this room, it absolutely blew my mind. The Cipher Room is an exceptional escape room company and deserves all the accolades they achieve. This escape room is firmly entrenched in my top 5 escape rooms.