The steampunk room that ran out of steam.
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Date played: November 6, 2016
Team size: 2-5; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: from $28-$45 per ticket depending on day of the week, time of day, and team size
Story & setting
In Doctor Frankenstein we had to revive Frankenstein’s monster, since the doctor himself had somehow landed in another plane or timeline from messing with electricity. The story was pretty nonsensical.
The room had a steampunk, mystical science vibe. The decor made frequent nods to astronomy and physiology.
The monster himself, behind glass but clearly in view, was the primary set piece. He looked a little too cartoonish and Halloween-y for the set.
Puzzles
Doctor Frankenstein was Komnata Quest’s take on a more traditional, puzzle-centric escape room. Until the introduction of this game, Komnata Quest’s New York games have leaned heavily into more extreme themed adventures.
The puzzles were hit or miss. A few made use of interesting props while others were wholly unexciting.
The puzzles generally connected to the theme, disjointed as it was.
Standouts
Komnata Quest relied on some tech-driven props that delivered, enhancing the experience.
Doctor Frankenstein had a dramatic and exciting introduction.
Shortcomings
Doctor Frankenstein lost momentum as the game progressed. The latter half of the game felt like a throwaway. There wasn’t enough there.
One of the late-game puzzles was as cliché as it gets. It would have still been a cliché had it been the first puzzle, but its late game position felt especially underwhelming.
Should I play Komnata Quest’s Doctor Frankenstein?
Komnata Quest is not known for puzzles, but with this game, they attempted to deliver an approachable room escape in the puzzling style of the majority of the New York market.
There were some great puzzles here, especially through the use of technology, but there was also too much filler and not enough content. In the absence of an extreme situation, Komnata Quest lost a lot of what made their earlier offerings remarkable.
This wasn’t a bad game. When we interacted with elements that captured the steampunk vibe, it was a fun time. Despite what we considered filler, there will be a lot for new players to enjoy.
It’s also worth noting that the variable pricing can make Doctor Frankenstein an expensive game if you play with a small group on a weekend. Choose your bookings carefully as $45 per ticket on the high end is way too much.
Ultimately, for the seasoned player, Doctor Frankenstein probably won’t hold the intrigue of Komnata Quest’s other games. Visit them for their extreme adventure games; it’s an exciting lineup.
Book your hour with Komnata Quest’s Doctor Frankenstein, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you using the coupon code escapeartist to receive 10% off.
Full disclosure: Komnata Quest comped our tickets for this game.
