Magnifico – Escaparium

Played on January 12th 2025 by:

Magnifico was the first game we played that day at Escaparium in Laval. In this scenario, you are invited to spend a day at Magnifico’s Circus, where thrilling rides, exciting games, talented performers, dazzling acrobats, and hilarious clowns promise an unforgettable experience. The circus welcomes visitors of all ages and advertises itself as a place filled with fun, wonder, and magical memories. The scenario is very detailed, although it does not present a clear mission or objective at first. After playing the game, however, we realized that this was entirely intentional. The description reads more like an advertisement for the circus, which fits perfectly with the experience and makes much more sense once you discover the story unfolding inside.

The decor is absolutely outstanding and unlike anything we had ever seen before. Escaparium truly went all out, not only with the set design but also with the special effects. The space is enormous, spanning many rooms, each with a very clear purpose. The level of realism is exceptional, and the creativity on display is remarkable. Every area is packed with details, making the entire experience feel alive and believable. It is genuinely impressive and worth the price of admission. Three actors guide players throughout the experience, interacting with the group, advancing the story, and providing hints when necessary. We felt that the amount of acting was much better balanced here than in some of Escaparium’s other games, where the theatrical elements occasionally felt excessive. Personally, I still think they could have included slightly less acting, but Gaël and Sophie disagreed and felt it was exactly the right amount.

Where we all agreed was on the quality of the puzzles. They were exceptional. Every puzzle felt creative, satisfying to solve, and perfectly integrated into the story. We were genuinely impressed by the originality of the ideas and how naturally they fit within the experience. As expected, the room relied entirely on automated mechanisms, all of which worked flawlessly. We especially appreciated how the characters subtly guided players when needed without revealing too much or interrupting the flow. The puzzles actively moved the story forward, making us feel like participants rather than mere observers. The interactions with the actors reinforced this feeling and made us part of the narrative. Hints were provided naturally through the various characters encountered during the game.

Overall, we absolutely loved this experience and felt that its reputation as one of the best escape rooms in the world is well deserved. It is a remarkable combination of immersive storytelling, incredible set design, talented actors, and outstanding puzzles. We also appreciated having a circus-themed game that was not haunted or horror-based, which felt refreshing and unique. The game is family-friendly and best suited for groups of around four players. We were very pleased with our performance, especially when the actors told us afterward that we had solved every puzzle without any assistance. We loved it, and we escaped!

: Yes

Andrea