Why do we keep ending up in puzzle jail?
Location: Auburn, AL
Date played: March 31, 2017
Team size: up to 8; we recommend 4-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $22 per ticket
Story & setting
During the prison warden’s lunch break, we broke into his office to find evidence of our imprisoned friend’s innocence.
Unlike many prison room escapes, we weren’t locked in cells looking to escape, we were breaking in and seeking evidence. As a result, Imprisoned still looked like the typical drab prison. However, we began the game within an office setting.
Puzzles
Imprisoned was first and foremost a searching game. While there was some puzzling, the experience hinged on finding exceptionally well-hidden objects.
Standouts
As far as search-centric games go, uncovering many of the hidden objects was surprisingly satisfying.
In one instance, there was a fun and surprising open.
Escape Zone has designed an unnecessary, yet very appreciated personalized touch into Imprisoned.
Shortcomings
Imprisoned included some unnecessary red herrings.
One particular puzzle had a flawed set-up. It lacked continuity. It was also easily destructible, which would render it unsolvable.
Other puzzles were double-clued such that elements of the experience could be bypassed. This led to some confusion as to the flow of the room escape.
Should I play Escape Zones’ Imprisoned?
Imprisoned leaned heavily on searching over puzzling. The searching wasn’t easy, but it was generally well designed.
I cannot recommend that experienced players get locked up in Imprisoned, unless they are open to a game that feels a little more like a scavenger hunt than an escape room.
If you’re a newer player looking to get into escape rooms, Imprisoned would be approachable. It will teach you to be observant. You won’t be over your head in complicated puzzles.
Book your hour with Escape Zones’ Imprisoned, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Full disclosure: Escape Zones comped our tickets for this game.
