Turning puzzles into a cure.
Location: Berlin, Connecticut
Date played: July 8, 2017
Team size: 2-6; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per ticket
Story & setting
Infected with the Black Death and seeking a cure, we approached the home of a mysterious alchemist. The rumor was that he had the ability to cure the disease, but he would only share this knowledge with those who could prove their wits and worth.
Staged in an ancient cabin in the woods, the set was compelling. It started off strong and the aesthetics only improved with each progression in the escape room.
Puzzles
Cure of the Alchemist contained tangible puzzles that generally required manipulation of the set pieces and props.
The puzzles escalated in difficulty and complexity over the course of the room escape culminating in a serious deductive challenge.
Unlike Team vs Time’s other escape rooms, they offer no hints in Cure of the Alchemist. We had to prove ourselves to the alchemist or die trying.
Standouts
When we walked into Cure of the Alchemist, we felt like we were in a different world from the lobby at Team vs Time. The set was captivating.
Many of the puzzles felt on theme, as if they belonged in that environment.
We enjoyed a variety of puzzles, both simple and complex. We experienced quite a few fun moments of satisfying realization.
Shortcomings
At one point, Cure of the Alchemist bottlenecked both in gameplay and physical layout. This stoppage of play was frustrating for the players who were boxed out.
Cure of the Alchemist was set up as a medieval escape room and the set supported that feeling… except that some of the locks were decidedly modern. The addition of a few older-looking lever locks would have eliminated some of the anachronisms.
Team vs Time set up a rather complex backstory, but it was ultimately irrelevant to the gameplay. Throughout our quest for the cure, we never felt the dramatic stakes of our mission. The completion of our quest was anticlimactic.
Should I play Team vs Time’s Cure of the Alchemist?
Cure of the Alchemist was a puzzle-driven escape room in an impressive medieval staging. The puzzles relied on the set pieces and the set was augmented by the puzzle components.
While not as suspenseful or dramatic Gangster’s Gamble, Cure of the Alchemist delivered more cohesive puzzle and set integration.
While Cure of the Alchemist was not as challenging as some of Team vs Time’s other escape rooms, we do not recommend it for brand-new players. Since players are proving themselves to the alchemist, Team vs Time does not give any hints. To that end, we recommend that you play at least a few other escape rooms before attempting this one. You should also probably play Team vs Time’s other games to get a feel for their unique style of gameplay prior to taking on the alchemist’s challenge.
Book your hour with Team vs Time’s Cure of the Alchemist, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Full disclosure: Team vs Time provided media discounted tickets for this game.
