Room Escape Artist

The Serial Killer is one of the best escape rooms around Salt Lake City / Park City. Here are our recommendations for great escape rooms in the Salt Lake City / Park City area.

I kind of wish we didn’t win this one.

Location: Midvale, UT

Date Played: January 7, 2018

Team size: up to 10; we recommend 4-6

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $30 per ticket

REA Reaction

The Serial Killer was all about the gritty and grungy vibe. The gamemaster played a role and losing promised to deliver an intense conclusion. From a gameplay standpoint, this was a beginner game. Castle of Chaos put the focus on searching for items and information rather than puzzling. This wasn’t really our style of play, but we enjoyed it more than most search-centric escape rooms.

Who is this for?

• Searchers and scavengers
• Thrill seekers
• Haunt hunters
• Best for beginners

Why play?

• Good creep-factor
• Thrilling actor / gamemaster interactions

Story

With bags over our heads, we were handcuffed in a grungy murder basement. Could we save ourselves before the killer returned and hacked us to pieces and added our trophies to her ever-growing collection? #Feminism

Setting

The murder basement was dark and gritty. It was unpleasant by design with a construction-site-meets-basement- meets-SAW vibe.

The low lighting made searching a bit challenging.

Gameplay

The gameplay was search-centric. We needed to uncover small details in a large space. Only one puzzle had substantial cerebral depth, but it was a big puzzle that also carried the narrative.

Standouts

Our gamemaster was a character in The Serial Killer. Despite her off-stage role, she communicated with us in character. We had fun with this.

While the grungy and creepy set was minimalistic, it captured the appropriate mood.

The most critical puzzle was positioned mid-game, ensuring that even losing teams understood the story. This was a smart decision.

We’re pretty sure that the ending would have been awesome if we had lost.

Shortcomings

The Serial Killer was more about searching than solving puzzles. I wish that Castle of Chaos had provided a few more puzzles to chew on.

Castle of Chaos needed to replace an $8 lock that had seen better days. We weren’t going to exert the amount of force required to open it in its worn condition.

The Serial Killer would have been more exciting if we’d lost. Castle of Chaos only really designed one ending. Thus our escape was anticlimactic.

Tips for Visiting

• It would have been more fun to lose.
• Portions of this game will be challenging if you struggle to see in low light.
• You will be handcuffed.
• Castle of Chaos had plenty of parking.
• There were dining options in the area.

Book your hour with Castle of Chaos’ The Serial Killer, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.