One Way Out: Framed

We visited One Way Out with 2 friends (to form team Waltzing Matilda) specifically to try our hand at Framed because of it’s excellent reviews and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed it so much that we immediately booked for Gas Alert later that evening. These were our 15th and 16th rooms so while not experts, we have played enough to know these were special. 

Firstly, the introduction was delivered with excellent humour and really got us in the spirit. You can tell that our host and writer of the rooms, Tessa takes great pride in her work and cares about the guest experience. Secondly we were pretty blown away by the beautiful room itself. Framed is set mainly in a large living room which looks exactly like…well, a large living room! This did not have the feel that you were in a purpose built/themed space. Instead it felt as though you had genuinely entered someone’s home. It was decorated brilliantly and almost everything in (and out of) sight was part of the game play. 

This room was fairly search heavy but also had a huge variety of other puzzles, too. There was plenty to do for the four of us. As usual with open rooms, it got more linear as time went on and we worked more closely together. We really enjoyed the added murder mystery element of the game and it helped keep the narrative continuously moving. There was one particular element that we were all impressed by as we hadn’t seen anything like it before in an escape room and it was so beautifully done. 

We escaped in 65.47 (70 minute room) so it was the perfect amount of things to do for us four. I think the Mushy Peas could have attempted this as a two and potentially gotten out, but it definitely would have been a close call! Due to having extra time, Tessa allowed us to go back in and look for the cake (a charming little side quest) which we found fairly quickly once pointed in the right direction!

Clues are delivered in a timely manner via voiceover in the room, addressing individuals by name - which sounds as if the host is right in the room with you! Framed and Gas Alert both have a personalised and intimate feel beyond any we have experienced before. It feels difficult to compare Framed with others of our favourite rooms because of its very original style but we all agreed it was up there with the most enjoyable rooms any of us had played so far. Thank you to One Way Out for a marvellous experience, well worth the trip to Oakham.