Devon Escape: Death on Dartmoor

Death on Dartmoor is a sequel to Devon Escape's first game, though it's not essential you play them in order; where in that one you were a gang of thieves, here you're on the side of law and order, solving a murder and an abduction. You have two goals, to find the criminals' location and to identify the ringleader, and three different possible endings according to how you do. One of those two goals matters more than the other, and in fact we made an error with one but still ended up with the 'be...

Devon Escape- Death On Dartmoor

Overview

This was our first visit to Devon Escape even though half the team only a few hundred yards away……….. I know, I know. The reviews for all 3 rooms at Devon Escape had really good reviews and we were really looking forward to giving them a go. Devon Escape is tucked away in a side street in Newton Abbot, we visited on a Sunday where you can park on the road but during ‘normal’ business hours you will have to park in a nearby pay and display car park. There are plenty of those don’t worry. We were warmly greeted by Emma, who was clearly very enthusiastic about what they had to offer. A special mention to Devon Escape who were due to be closed on the day of our visit but this was a re-arranged date for us as COVID stopped our original date. The visit was for a birthday surprise of one of the team and Devon Escape went above and beyond in helping us out, so thank you 🙂 We walked into the reception area and even though it is cosy, there was still enough space for a health and safety brief. We were told that this was technically the second room of their 3 but it was not an issue that we hadn’t done their first yet, Diamond Heist. We were given a good back story into the Death on Dartmoor room before we entered and we had to track down the kidnappers who were somewhere in Dartmoor. One of us was chosen to be the lead investigator, given a brief case with extra information and props, again, a nice touch.

Room Impression

As soon as we walked into the room, it was very different from what we have experienced previously and in a good way. The props popped out and gave a very moody atmosphere. It was a little dark but not an issue at all that we couldn’t see what we were doing, plus we also had BRAND NEW torches given to us just in case. There was a screen in the corner, standardly on with a timer and to used for any hints in case we needed them. We knew there would be another room to enter with a door coded shut so this gave us extra incentive to crack on knowing where we had to get to. There were lots of local information plastered all over the wall which made it feel nice and relevant.

Puzzles

There were a number of objects scattered across the game, most were needed and some were there to lead us slightly astray. These weren’t like some rooms we have previously done where you are lead to complete ends, the objects that weren’t needed still gave the room a nice local feel and were all kind of relevant to the theme. This game wasn’t overloaded with padlocks, thank god!! A lot of rooms still stand by this and it is frustrating to a degree where you are sending so much time with 20 odd padlocks to escape but not in this game. A nice combinations of coded locks and searching for clues gave it a nice flow throughout. We we were so close to beating the room record, 2 minutes in fact. If it wasn’t for us over complicating the last puzzle and if we had gone with our guts, we would have had the crown but never mind. 

Games Master Clues

Emma could see that we were flowing quite nicely throughout the game and gave us only 2 slight hints when we ever so slightly stuck on working out the combinations of a couple of games. The hints were ever so subtle and did not reveal the answers in any way, which was a welcome change to some games. When we did need a little bit of direction, there was a nice addition of a talking button system on the main console. This made a nice change from the standard walkie talkie system adopted by most. We were given hints when asked but not so obvious that it stopped us thinking and not overly cryptic either, which was welcomed. There was a tv on the main wall with the standard timer on it. When hints were given, a noise played in the room and the screen lit up, all pretty standard really. 

Round Up

We can’t believe we haven’t visited Devon Escape before and we will definitely be back. There are 2 other games where Emma explained they are both linked with the story but have very different types of puzzles in each. Professor Enigma is due to shut in March 2022 so we will come back and try it before it is revamped. We really enjoyed Death On Dartmoor and this game is easily in our top 3 that we have done.

Even though Devon Escape is tucked away in the South West, for any team based down this way of the world or if you are visiting on holiday, make sure you come here!!

Team: 4 Players with 13 minutes remaining

Success/Failed= Success

Rating= 4*

Company Details: 

Devon Escape
Lemon Place
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 2BD

01626 368980

https://www.escaperoomsdevon.co.uk