A Hitchhiker’s Guide To Geek References.
Location: Fairfield, NJ
Date Played: April 9, 2018
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $25 per ticket
Ticketing: Public or Private
REA Reaction
Ravenwood Grove justified this heist escape room. It was fun, puzzle-focused game in a pretty standard setting. It was even more fun for those of us who caught all the nerdy references.
If you’re in the area, check this one out, and don’t get too distracted by the Easter eggs.
Who is this for?
- Puzzle lovers
- Pop culture nerds
- Any experience level
Why play?
- Geeky references
- Strong puzzle game
- Solidly written and justified narrative that didn’t get in the way
Story
Our team of thieves had been planning this heist for months. Our tech guy would disable the security system and we would sneak in and steal a rare piece of art from a collector. The plan was perfect. What could go wrong?
Setting
We were in a home gallery setting. Our mark was a collector of rare and nerdy artifacts. The set had an office/ gallery vibe that wasn’t inherently exciting. The fun of the set came from all of the hidden and not-so-hidden nerdery laced throughout the environment. There were many entertaining details to appreciate.
Gameplay
Empire Rooms’ Ravenwood Grove was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching and puzzling.
Analysis
+ Empire Rooms did a great job of setting up the story, justifying our presence in the game, and establishing the role of the gamemaster. It’s details like this that cost an escape room company absolutely nothing, but go a long way towards building a strong fiction.
+ There was a ton of content in Ravenwood Grove, in terms of puzzles as well as nerdy references and Easter eggs.
+ The Easter eggs were great. We probably spent 5 minutes pointing them out and explaining them to one another.
– There were a few too many locks with similar digit structures.
– One of the niftiest props in the game did nothing at all. It was the kind of prop that just screams, “PLAY WITH ME!” We wished it had been incorporated into a puzzle.
+/- There was a narrative twist that was simultaneously cool and kind of a let down.
+ Ravenwood Grove flowed well. It mixed old school play with strong, tech-driven moments.
Tips for Visiting
- There is a parking lot nearby.
Book your hour with Empire Rooms’ Ravenwood Grove, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Empire Rooms provided media discounted tickets for this game.
