The visitors – Lockdown Ottawa

Played on May 10th 2024 by:

The Visitors was the fourth room we did that day at Lockdown Ottawa. In this scenario, while searching for help in the darkness, you come across a mysterious building. At first, it seems like a safe haven, but something isn’t right. Coming here might have been the worst mistake of your life. We felt that the scenario description on the website was very short, lacking detail and missing a unique twist. While it was slightly more detailed when the game master explained it in person before the game, we still found it too generic overall.

The decors were fine but very basic. Like the scenario, they lacked personality and finishing touches. The first room felt a little empty and looked cheap. That said, some elements were good ideas but weren’t executed particularly well. We did like starting the game in complete darkness and having to find a way to get light. The room isn’t scary unless you’re afraid of the dark; it’s mildly creepy but nothing intense. Unlike other rooms at this location, this one wasn’t guided. There were no audio or video interruptions between puzzles, allowing us to move at our own pace. Music played throughout the game, which helped with immersion. One detail we didn’t like was the lack of lockers for personal belongings, meaning we had to bring everything into the room with us.

The puzzles were fun to solve and all related to the theme. The room relied mostly on traditional locks, with a couple automatic mechanisms. The puzzles weren’t very difficult, which could work well for less experienced escape room players. We appreciated the variety, and a few puzzles were quite unique and original. However, there weren’t enough of them—we completed the room quickly and were hoping for more content. The room was also linear, so we could only work on one puzzle at a time. Hints were provided by contacting the game master via walkie-talkie.

Overall, this wasn’t our favorite room at this location. We were hoping for more polished and creative decors, and while the puzzles were enjoyable, there simply weren’t enough of them. The room isn’t really scary, though kids might be uncomfortable with the darkness. It’s better suited for small groups of 2–3 people. We’re still happy with our performance, as we completed the room quickly and only asked for one hint. We liked it okay—and we escaped!

: Yes

Andrea