“We do not follow maps to buried treasure and X never, ever marks the spot.”
– Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Jr, PhD
Location: Morristown, NJ
Date played: August 1, 2016
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 4-6
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $100 per team during the week & $30.50 per person on weekends
Story & setting
We were adventure archeologists on the hunt for lost Mayan treasures, chasing the trail of an Indiana Jones parody who left video evidence of his exploits behind. The story was playful, fun, and made a bit more sense than Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (which is now 8 years old… how did that happen?).
The setting had a cheesy but well-executed Legends of the Hidden Temple vibe that was playful and worked well.
The game never took itself too seriously, nor did it strive for realism. As a result, it came together far better than had Last Minute Escape attempted realistic immersion.
Puzzles
The puzzles presented in The Mayan Tomb were strong and varied. There was plenty to do and everyone had an opportunity to have their moment.
There were two puzzles built into larger set pieces that overstayed their welcome; they dragged on for quite some time after we figured out what to do with them. That said, they never crossed into serious tedium territory.
Standouts
Last Minute Escape created a padlock-less game in a small market setting. This is rare and praiseworthy. They used technology to create a magical room and executed it with a wink and a grin.
Their use of video was fun and kept the humor of the situation front and center. Their TV screens didn’t even belong in the setting, but the knowing ridiculousness of the game managed to make it all work.
There was also a brilliant use of a subwoofer.
Shortcomings
Some set pieces looked and felt a bit too homemade and hacked together, even for the comical staging.
One puzzle hinged on a moveable object being kept in the same place.
Eight players is one or two too many for the game space.
Should I play Last Minute Escape’s The Mayan Tomb?
Last Minute Escape, formerly known as Exit Strategy, has been in this business longer than most escape room companies, and they have come a long way since their first game. The Mayan Tomb was, without a doubt, the most fun we’ve had playing an escape room in the State of New Jersey to date.
It’s a fun and playful room, with a solid collection of puzzles and props, and a scale that is far bigger than one typically finds outside of a major city. If you can suspend disbelief in the story and setting, you’ll have a good time.
It could absolutely benefit from a bit more polish and refinement, but this game is a great time and there is nothing on its level in the area.
Book your hour with Last Minute Escape’s The Mayan Tomb, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
