God speed.
Location: Berlin, CT
Date played: April 8, 2017
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per ticket
Story & setting
In 14th century England, we discovered a plot to unseat our beloved Queen. We infiltrated the castle to uncover information and thwart the overthrow.
Team vs Time constructed a space that brought us back in time. From the woodwork to the real church stained glass windows installed in this castle, their attention to detail brought the set to life.
Puzzles
While the initial puzzles weren’t particularly interesting, as the game progressed, the puzzles became increasingly dynamic.
For most of Save the Queen, we worked through large tangible puzzles that interacted with built-in set pieces.
Standouts
Team vs Time constructed a castle into their run-of-the-mill building. The walls, windows, furniture, and smaller details brought the space to life.
Many of the puzzles made use of the castle decor. We manipulated “ancient” tools and investigated substantial props and set pieces.
A tiny gamemastering detail added a great dramatic moment to Save the Queen.
With Save the Queen, Team vs Time constructed an interactive, engaging, logical, and fun puzzle game.
Shortcomings
The narrative of Save the Queen didn’t carry our experience. In the end, we searched for specific information, as instructed by the game, but without any story-driven understanding of why.
In one late-game puzzle, the input mechanism seemed out of place. Given the historical setting, any modern interaction broke the fiction created by the set design. All tech should to be well hidden and seemingly magical.
Occasional double cluing proved more confusing than helpful.
One set puzzle was completely useless and threw us off track.
While the set looked great, it (and by it, I mean we) suffered from a significant splinter problem. We both picked up wood splinters from the game, and other players whom we have spoken with have as well.
Should I play Team vs Time’s Save the Queen?
Team vs Time creates impressive escape room sets. Save the Queen is no exception. We enjoyed our hour in a 14th century castle.
With Save the Queen, Team vs Time has improved their puzzle chops, designing interactive, challenging, and interesting puzzles into the set pieces. There is room for refinement, but the underlying structure and construction is solid.
As much as we loved puzzling through the castle, we didn’t feel like the hero and heroine of a narrative-driven adventure in the same way as we did in Gangster’s Gamble.
Save the Queen would be an exciting escape room at any level. Newer players will find it challenging, but not unmanageable. More seasoned players will be able to appreciate the experience that much more. If you’re traveling through Connecticut, this one is a must visit.
Book your hour with Team vs Time’s Save the Queen, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Full disclosure: Team vs Time provided media discounted tickets for this game.
