Prep the patient for puzzles.
Location: White Plains, NY
Date Played: February 24, 2018
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-6
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: from $24.99 per ticket
REA Reaction
Surgery was a strong introductory escape room. The puzzles made sense. The space looked good and a bit imposing. It played well. If you’re new to escape rooms, start here. If you’re really experienced, play Puzzle Parlour’s The Heist instead.
Who is this for?
- Puzzle lovers
- Group solvers
- Best for newer players
Why play?
- Collaborative solves
- Puzzle flow
- Solid set
- Clean execution
Story
Tea time hadn’t gone as planned. Someone had spiked our cups and we had awoken in the office of a serial-killing surgeon. We had to escape before he came back to harvest us.
Setting
Surgery put us in a detailed medical facility. The set looked authentic and a bit ominous without ever turning frightening.
We knocked Puzzle Parlour’s The Heist for the set feeling a little bland. Aesthetically, Surgery was a cut above.
Gameplay
Surgery was a straight escape room experience with equal parts searching and puzzling.
The puzzles all resolved cleanly.
At Puzzle Parlour’s discretion, they add an extra puzzle for experienced escape room players. This puzzle adds some extra challenge by tweaking the gameflow and increasing the volume of puzzles in the escape room. We appreciated the extra challenge, but if you’re a newbie, you will not be missing out on anything mind-blowing if Puzzle Parlour doesn’t include it during your playthrough.
Standouts
Puzzle Parlour provided quality puzzles in Surgery. They flowed well and resolved cleanly.
Surgery facilitated teamwork. Multiple puzzles required communication. These group solves upped the energy level of the group.
In one instance, what had appeared decorative throughout much of the game suddenly illuminated a puzzle. This was a lot of fun.
The main set of Surgery looked really good.
Shortcomings
Although the puzzles worked well, they didn’t develop the narrative any further over the course of the Surgery. This was something that Puzzle Parlour absolutely nailed in The Heist.
While we enjoyed the set, it was uneven, and there were some little details begging for refinement.
Surgery lacked a climactic and memorable moment. While we enjoyed many of the puzzles, including the final one, there wasn’t a puzzle or interaction that will really stick with us.
Tips for Visiting
- Solo players cannot complete the Surgery. There are multiple puzzles that physically require at least 2 players.
- Puzzle Parlour has a lovely lobby.
- Park in their lot and use the app ParkWhitePlains to refill your meter.
- There is plenty to eat and do in the area. Take advantage of the Puzzle Parlour discount and the large tap list at Lazy Boy Saloon.
Book your hour with Puzzle Parlour’s The Surgery, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Puzzle Parlour comped our tickets for this game.
