Lucardo Manchester

Sorcery on a Sunday!

I came here for my final (at least for now) Lucardo challenge with a few friends.

Story

Secure your place at the University of Magic by finding a wand and mixing a potion.

Puzzles

There were some truly unique, ‘magical’ tasks closely related to the theme/story. We required two or three hints, but none of them were overly complicated. The previous group had written the answer to the penultimate puzzle down, and this wasn’t rubbed off prior to us going in. While we still effectively solved it, the information we shouldn’t have had made it obvious we were doing it correctly. Since the answer didn’t become accessible until right near the end, it wasn’t too big a deal.

Mise-en-scène

A quirky, close-packed room that utilised every inch of available space for brooms, wands, quills, creatures and potions. I identified a fair few of Poundland’s Halloween wares as props, but if you don’t know, some of them do look authentic. There was one item that struck me as impressively Harry Potter-esque, but not quite as interactive as it perhaps should have been. As a whole, the room did feel part of an immersive, wizarding world.

Final Comments

An impersonal brief was saved by another bouncy Game Operator who welcomed us into the room in-character. I wouldn’t take more than 4 people, or else you’ll be struggling for puzzles to solve.

Fugitives!

I was excited to try Lucardo's newest room. In our brief, we were advised that there would only be one code to solve, and all the other puzzles would be hands-on...interesting!

Story

As convicted criminals, your fellow inmates are staging a riot, giving you one precious hour to escape. A common storyline, but executed brilliantly. Wait to see how it unfolds during your endeavours!

Puzzles

They were all practical, encouraging us to think like prisoners, utilising whatever tools were at our disposal. We struggled with a couple of them: without locks to work out codes for, sometimes it was tricky to ascertain what to do next. This kept us guessing and thinking creatively, though!

Mise-en-scène

The journey was impressively portrayed as a real prison-break through the equipment, clothing, props and decor. It was delivered like a piece of immersive theatre. Very, very good!

Final Comments

This was a funny, inventive and engaging room. Highly recommended!

Bank Burglary

As I’d enjoyed my previous visits to Lucardo, it was soon time for another!

Story

Steal a big shiny diamond from a bank. Heists may be like the most common escape room scenario ever, but hey, some have got to be them!

Puzzles

There were many visuals, and lots of things to be implemented. We all really liked one of the last tasks…just like a calculated criminal, be mindful of what could be of use around you!

Mise-en-scène

The big counter almost entirely contributed to making the surroundings feel like the inside of a bank. The other furniture and props were good and right, though.

Final Comments

Escaping with three seconds to spare meant for a very stressful final challenge, but we made it! A team of three to four is ideal for this one.

Over Enemy Lines

Another wartime operation, and my third visit to Lucardo.

Story

Infiltrate an enemy bunker to retrieve classified documents stolen from The War Office, but get the job done before the guards change.

Puzzles

They maintained a connection to the theme of the room throughout and ranged from child’s play to one that was fiendishly difficult without the help of a hint!

Mise-en-scène

Decent props, mundane surroundings. A bit of camo netting wasn’t enough to sell me WW2 bunker realness.

Final Comments

One of Lucardo’s weaker rooms. It’s generic and unremarkable, but we still had a good time. Our group didn’t pay as much as this on our visit, but is it worth the current price tag of £25.00 per person? Absolutely not.

Speedy Sleepy Sleuthing

I slipped in a visit to The Dream as, because it was closing, a 20% discount code was being offered.

Story

Get out of your dream with four winning lottery numbers before they're gone forever. And there was something about everything not being as it seems. Weird, but not in a bad way!

Puzzles

There was so much to do with just a team of two. A few we nailed with ease, but others took a lot more thinking (and the odd hint). I was grateful for my friend getting her head around the last one, because I struggled. A lot of visual-based puzzles in this room.

Mise-en-scène

Perplexing. Strange. Alice-in-Wonderland-esque. This was a very peculiar dream, one inspired by rubber ducks, upside down furniture, Simon Says and balls. Lots of balls. I didn't hate it, though!

Final Comments

The most stressful escape for me, ever! When I jumped out of the room, I accidentally left my friend behind in The Dream...whoops.

How to Solve a Life

This is the first time I did two escape rooms in the same day…the addiction is setting in! Having heard good things about Lucardo, I was excited to pay them my first visit.

Story

A serial killer is on the loose. Investigate the latest murder scene to track down the next location s/he plans on striking to save a life. Rather than escaping a killer like most storylines, solving puzzles to find out the next target is a good little creative twist and gives you a clear end goal to work towards!

Puzzles

Cunning and rewarding. Teamwork was obligatory for some, which I always love to see. I was playing with a clever bunch and so one or two of the puzzles had been solved before I could so much as look at them.

Mise-en-scène

Very dark, shadowy and chilling. It was difficult to appreciate all the décor due to the lack of light, but the feeling of being engrossed in the scene of a crime was there for me.

Final Comments

A team of four is just about right for this one.

Great room, our favourite of the 3 we played there. Very well themed and some great puzzles. Recommended if in the area. 

Very fun room, worked well as a 2, no clues required as all was logical and made sense. One particularly nice puzzle in terms of using the environment. 

Fun room that we booked last minute after really enjoying a couple of other games at Lucardo. Difficult to do this theme well now as rather overused and didn't enjoy as much as the other 2 we did there but overall a great company and would recommend any of their rooms if you find yourself in Manchester.  Got very confused by one puzzle and a little too dark for my liking with searches but otherwise fun.