The Escapement Broadstairs: Atlantis

Most escape room websites tell you how difficult their games are. This one tells you how physical it is, and I was wrong to ignore that. And if this game is 4/5, as the website claims, then I shudder to think what a 5/5 is. There's crawling, climbing, straddling, running around - brilliant fun and, combined with the mental challenges, very Crystal Mazey, but a bit of a shock when you book games based only on the star ratings here and don't pay attention to any details!

The room is unbelievably good-looking and well-built, too. You won't worry that it can't cope with all the physical interaction it demands of you, it's solid and sturdy, and beautifully lit to sell its setting. The production values are among the best I've experienced, it's such a joy to be there, even while you're cramped and crawling and sweaty. 

As fun and unusual as it was to be so physically involved, there were one or two details I think could be improved. Despite the lighting creating a marvellous atmosphere, there's a point at which it could make one puzzle not only more legible but easier to spot in the first place. And part of the solution to another puzzle required a small assumption that we didn't feel was logically justified or meaningfully clued, which was dissatisfying. But take that criticism with a pinch of salt - maybe I'm only making it because we were held up on that puzzle for so long.

These are relatively minor niggles I had with an overall great room that offers something a little different to what you'd typically expect.