Something’s missing.
Location: Syracuse, NY
Date played: April 29, 2017
Team size: up to 8-10; we recommend 4-6
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $23-28 per ticket
Story & setting
Opening night had arrived, but the script was missing. We needed to search the playwright’s room in order to find the script and alleviate the superstitions of the show’s cast.
The Playwright had an old-timey, lived-in hotel room vibe. More than any other room escape at Escape the Estate, The Playwright felt at home within the backdrop of the Hotel Whitmore.
Puzzles
The Playwright was puzzle-driven. Some of the puzzles felt brilliant and refined. Others didn’t seem quite finished.
Standouts
The Playwright had a number of wonderful mechanical interactions that surprised and delighted us.
Susan, our gamemaster, was a wonderful and unobtrusive in-game actor. I was particularly fond of the quirky and subtle way that she would indicate when we were on the right track for any puzzles where we were a bit unsure of what the room escape wanted from us.
Shortcomings
Segments of The Playwright’s set had strange gaps and clear construction flaws. They didn’t seem like they should have been there, as they were neither part of the puzzling, nor the ambiance.
Some of the puzzles were missing clue structure and required logic leaps, or in one instance, unapologetic trial and error.
The Playwright lacked drama.
Should I play Escape the Estate’s The Playwright?
The Playwright was a puzzley escape room with some great mechanical moments, but it needed more drama written into it.
I never really felt any stakes in this experience. At one point, I found myself wondering why: “If this is opening night, why doesn’t everyone have a copy of the script?” Or, “It’s opening night, why doesn’t everyone know their lines?”
This lack of drama was systemic throughout the gameplay, which didn’t build towards anything.
Beginners will likely find The Playwright a strong challenge, as we were able to make a few of the logic leaps by virtue of understanding how escape rooms work.
Experienced players will likely find some of aspects of The Playwright underwhelming or simply wish for more polish.
There were great moments within this room escape, but this show was well past opening night and the script felt unfinished.
Book your hour with Escape the Estate’s The Playwright, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Full disclosure: Escape the Estate comped our tickets for this game.
