Update 9/14/21: If you enjoy Krampus, we hope you’ll check out our interview with creator Brian Corbitt on The Reality Escape Pod.
[At the time of this review, this game was operated by Countdown and has since been acquired by 60Out.]
‘Greetings from the Krampus!’
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Date played: October 18, 2016
Team size: up to 6; we recommend 3-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per ticket
Story & setting
We were investigating the festive yet morbid apartment of the Krampus killer, which as Countdown’s description implies, was actually the demon-goat monster of Alpine folk-lore.
Krampus, the yin to Saint Nicholas’ yang, brings punishment (and in this case, murder) to naughty children come Christmas time.
The set of Krampus was magnificently creepy. It was a dark and twisted home that was intricately decorated for a horrible Christmas. It looked great in a gross and foreboding sort of way.
Puzzles
While the haunted house-esque set was the clear star of Krampus, it had some solid puzzling.
Much of the challenge came from the difficulties of navigating a dark and morbid set, but once we made it past those hurdles, there were sound logic and observational puzzles to work out.
Krampus contained a bonus puzzle that will likely eat up the remaining time of fast-solving teams.
Standouts
The set was intense.
The game kept our team on edge from beginning to end.
There was a moment mid-game that was incredible; I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it mimicked by other companies in future games.
Shortcomings
A little too much of the Krampus’ challenge was derived from the dark setting. There were more than a few things to read, and at times it was easy to make a mistake simply because lighting was barely present.
The bonus puzzle wasn’t particularly enticing. It involved a lot of reading and we decided to finish with a fast time instead of puzzling through it.
Should I play Countdown’s Krampus?
Krampus was a great horror escape room.
It was intense, creepy, and memorable. Watching one of our teammates (not Lisa) cling to a wooden stick for half of the game will remain a treasured memory. I don’t frighten easily and Krampus made me jump. It was a good time.
Krampus has some good puzzling, but I wouldn’t recommend it to players who are seeking a puzzle-focused experience.
This was a game for people who are open to feeling some fear, and don’t struggle with seeing and reading in low light. If that sounds right for you, then I highly recommend paying Krampus a visit.
Book your hour with 60Out’s Krampus, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Full disclosure: Countdown comped our tickets for this game.
