LevelUp Escapes: Operation: Overload

By | December 30, 2023

by LevelUp Escapes (website)

Unit SU33, Middle Level, Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 1BW

01743 630165

Shrewsbury

2-6 players

Languages: EN

60 minutes

Welcome to 'Operation Overload' Transport yourself back to the heart of World War II, where the streets of York bear the scars of relentless bombings during the Blitz. As brave agents, your mission is critical: you have just one hour to secure and evacuate TOP SECRET British intelligence to safety before Axis air strikes devastate the Town.Navigate through the debris-laden streets, where every step brings you closer to uncovering vital information that could change the course of the war. The clock is ticking, and the enemy is closing in. Can you decipher the clues, overcome the challenges, and ensure the success of 'Operation Overload'? The fate of the nation rests in your hands.

This game was previously known as ‘Inbound’ at EscapeHub Maidstone

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Overall rating

Rated between 3.5 and 4.5 out of 5

based on ratings from 13 users
combined with 1 pro review

Your review

Player reviews

FinnLock rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Team size: 6 Time taken: 4 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunnyimmersive

The use of space was impressive, and we loved the variety throughout the game. The special effects were brilliantly executed, creating an immersive atmosphere that truly captured the WWII theme—definitely one of the best we’ve experienced! The hosting was top-notch, and we had a fantastic chat with our Games Master, Nye, after the game before moving on to our next adventure. Highly recommended!

Steph Norchi experienced rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 19 Oct 2024 Team size: 4 Time taken: 41:32 Outcome: Successful escape!
immersivestory-driven

This is a lovely room with wonderful theming and a great use of space. There are some physical elements to this room so it isn't advised for anyone with mobility issues. We really enjoyed the variety of puzzles and the room kept us all fairly busy the whole time. There was a lovely flow to it and a good sense of progression due to the clever layout. 

There were some really nice effects used in the room.... and one not-so-nice one. We were warned about said effect at the beginning and asked if we were happy, however, what was described wasn't really how it was at all. I don't know if it was a bit broken but it ended up just being unpleasant and annoying. This could be utilised really well but for us it was not.

However, my main issue with this room was a GM issue. There was a certain puzzle where we completed it pretty quickly and received a code, tried it in all available padlocks to no avail. We even had multiple team members try the locks just in case, but nothing. So we began spiraling, searching everywhere for a different code or a different way to interpret the information around us. We must have spent the best part of 15 minutes believing we were wrong. Eventually giving in and doing what we never do... asking for a hint. To which we were given the response "You have the right code, you just need to give the lock a really strong pull". In the pre-room briefing we were told; no excessive force was needed. They really should have mentioned how that doesn't include padlocks, because some of them really did need some force. Also, not letting us stew for 15 minutes and just a polite hint to give the lock a strong pull would have been appreciated.

Overall, it's a really nice room with great potential. It has some lovely puzzles, great theming and is really family-friendly. With some fine-tuning, it would be a fantastic room. The small issues were annoying but not enough to spoil the fun.

ianandkateescape rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 1 Sep 2024 Team size: 2 Time taken: 54:03 Outcome: Successful escape!
beautifulcleverstory-driven

We had a fantastic time playing Overload at LevelUp Escapes, the host was super helpful and we enjoyed chatting in character. As others have said we thought this was a top tier WW2 game, there are some great effects, throughout, and a few things we have not seen before. 

Look forward to returning to the venue.

matt_keds expert rated this:Rated between 3 and 3 out of 5
Played: 7 Sep 2024 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
story-drivengreat hosting
Chris Metcalfe experienced rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 13 Sep 2024 Team size: 4 Time taken: 56 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunnygreat hosting

Really enjoyable room. Not usually a great fan of WW2 games but this was very good. Excellent use of space and some funny moments. Excellent hosting added to the experience. Worth a visit. 

Jess_keds expert rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 7 Sep 2024 Team size: 2 Time taken: 41 minutes Outcome: Successful escape!
story-drivenfamily friendly

A nice, easy-going room with a range of puzzle types. A variation between padlocks and maglocks but leaning more towards padlocks. Fun use of ‘levels’ but felt like there were some missed opportunities for using this unique space for puzzles. Nice use of tech. Puzzles were simple to solve. Lost a chunk of time (twice) due to something opening and not hearing anything/being signalled or signposted. With a few tweaks this could be a strong room. It was good fun for a Saturday day out and a good excuse to visit Shrewsbury. We were a bit gutted for the GM to open the door to the room to show us the ‘obstacle’ before we even started and were told lots of details about the rooms’ features before we even started. It would be better to just experience it rather than be told about it as it takes away that magic moment. 

🤘The Pick of Destiny expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 10 Aug 2024 Team size: 2
originalimmersivegreat flow
lisab22911 rated this:Rated between 5 and 5 out of 5
Played: 12 Jun 2024 Team size: 3 Outcome: Successful escape!
beautifuloriginalimmersive

Very well themed WW2-themed escape room, this one truly exceeded our expectations. 

What stood out most were the interactive elements that brought the scenario to life. The use of space is also fantastically designed 

The puzzles were both challenging and logical, seamlessly blending into the storyline. The room captured the essence of the era and kept us engaged throughout. A perfect balance of intrigue and immersion.

Jen Wells (Get Wells Soon) expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 16 Jun 2024 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
beautifulcleverimmersive

A WW2 room is always a winner with us but this particular one delivered - after about 270 rooms and countless occasions when we've been called upon to save Britain from an incoming Nazi invasion - a completely new element! It's a cracking room that provides a bumper crop of puzzles and a tense atmosphere, while delivering on the fun and the Blitz spirit.

We particularly enjoyed the physical elements of the game and felt that the use of space reflected a genuine desire to provide something different.

Logical, with plenty to do and a super set, this has all of those elements of quality escape rooms that we just love.

severescapes rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 31 May 2024 Team size: 3 Time taken: 54:09
originalimmersivemagicalquite difficult

Really enjoyed the theming, and the immersion that was created.

The hint system was also unique and kept us in good spirits, I was mostly impressed at the venues location, and how they had created something like this where they are.

PuzzleParagon rated this:Rated between 5 and 5 out of 5
Played: 10 Mar 2024 Team size: 3
beautifulimmersivestory-driven
The Darwin Centre never felt so far away, the theatrics of this room were fantastic considering the environment the escape room is located in. We really enjoyed some of the puzzles too, and plenty of surprises along the way. We really enjoyed the immersion with our GM being 'Audery' the Seamstress and it was really clever how they 'disguised' the clues to really make it feel as though the phone lines could have been intercepted. 
We cannot wait to see what comes next. 
🔐James Bloodworth expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 10 Mar 2024 Team size: 3 Outcome: Successful escape!
immersivestory-drivengreat hosting
Riot Games rated this:Rated between 5 and 5 out of 5
Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalimmersiveepic
After playing the other two games and being told that this one would be opening while we were in the area of course we had to give it a try! The game itself was original and very in theme, we particularly liked the pub area for this. The real show stopper however is the immersion. I cannot say too much for fear of spoiling the surprise but they really outdid themselves! If you like atmosphere and theatrics you’ll find this room highly enjoyable. Overall it was just excellent, really memorable and I’m so glad we came back

Reviews by escape room review sites

Our second room at LevelUp was Operation Overload, a World War II setting where your mission is to find some critical intelligence in the streets and shops of wartime Britain before an incoming air raid destroys it. When we visited this room was brand new, having opened just a few weeks earlier.
The physical layout of the room is immediately interesting, though in a way that means the long-suffering hosts will have to caution every team not to get too athletic. The impressive set is backed up b...

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