Apothecary – Escape Manor Hintonburg

Played on May 11th 2024 by:

Apothecary was the first room we played that day at Escape Manor Hintonburg. In this scenario, the Elites have taken control of nearly everything, except for one thing: witchcraft. That power remains in the hands of the underground resistance. When your leader is suddenly poisoned and the Elites steal your precious supplies, your team must infiltrate their hideout, recover what was taken, brew an antidote, and escape before it’s too late. The scenario has a very clear objective, although we felt it could have used a few more details and a stronger storyline to make it more memorable.

The decor was well done, but it did not have a particular wow factor. The execution was great, the rooms were in good condition, and there was a reasonable amount of detail throughout. Nothing felt out of place, but the overall design was a bit ordinary compared to some of the more immersive rooms we have experienced. The purpose of each area was clear, and the space was filled with enough objects and props to feel complete. We appreciated that the game master introduced the story before the game began. There was also background music playing, which helped set the mood. However, we could clearly hear players screaming in the nearby horror room, which occasionally broke the immersion. Better soundproofing would have improved the experience.

The puzzles were enjoyable and connected to the story. The room was linear, and there were not many puzzles in the first section of the game. We also found the flow somewhat uneven, as it was not always clear what to do next. Because of this, we felt some of the clues could have been communicated more clearly. Fortunately, the flow improved significantly in the second half of the room. The game relied mostly on traditional locks, with a few automated mechanisms mixed in. The puzzle variety was good overall, but a smoother progression would have made the experience stronger. Hints were provided by the game master via walkie-talkie without any in-character interaction.

Overall, we thought the room was enjoyable, but it lacked a standout element and could have benefited from a better puzzle flow. It is a family-friendly experience since it is not scary at all, and it is best suited for smaller groups of two to three players. We were happy with our performance, as we completed the room with about ten minutes remaining and only needed two hints. We liked it okay and we escaped!

: Yes

Andrea