Haunted is one of the best games in the Atlanta area. Here are our other recommendations for great escape rooms around Atlanta.
Puzzles, poltergeist, and a sassy gargoyle.
Location: Stone Mountain, GA
Date Played: March 23, 2018
Team size: up to 8; we recommend 4-6
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $28 per ticket
Ticketing: Public or Private
REA Reaction
Haunted was exciting. The puzzles, set, and in-character avatar gamemaster delivered both intensity and humor. For a company as talented as Escape the Netherworld, it was disappointing to encounter standard purchased puzzles. Haunted was at its best when it was an original creation, which was most of the game.
If you’re anywhere in the Atlanta area, seek out this haunted escape game.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Story seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Scenery snobs
- Any experience level
Why play?
- Beautiful and imposing set
- In character gamemastering
- Finale
Story
After our uncle, a genius parapsychologist had passed away, we learned that he had trapped and almost subdued the horrific Night Hag, a beast who had haunted the family for centuries. Now it was up to us to vanquish the creature or suffer her vengeance.
Setting
Our uncle’s laboratory had his workspace in the middle, surrounded by various contraptions and large captive creatures in glass chambers. The whole place had a steampunk haunted house vibe. It looked great.
Portions of the game took place in low light.
Gameplay
Escape the Netherworld’s Haunted was a standard escape room with a compelling set and a higher level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching and puzzling.
Analysis
+ The steampunkish set was captivating. Escape the Netherworld built some incredibly detailed set pieces. Some of these only delivered ambiance and did so without misleading us. The gamespace was a fully designed environment and visually interesting.
+ Haunted felt big. From the set and tangible interactions to the reactions of the space, this escape room had scale.
+ Our gamemaster was a character in our adventure. His avatar chatted with us throughout the game. By this, our third game at Escape the Netherworld, the staff knew our team, and knew how to sass us. And at 11pm, in the 10th game of the day, this was exactly what we needed. It was a riot.
– While the story worked well, it was less innovative than Escape the Netherworld’s other two escape rooms, Sasquatch and Nosferatu.
– Haunted included a few purchased puzzles that felt out of place in our uncle’s haunted steampunk lab. Some of these purchased puzzles appeared many times in various Atlanta area escape rooms.
+ The puzzles flowed well in Haunted. They were accessible, non-linear, tangible, and fun.
+ The dramatic ending sequence punctuated the victory. It was memorable and engaged the entire team in the win.
Tips for Visiting
- Parking: There is parking out front.
- Food: We enjoyed the nearby Metro Cafe Diner.
Book your hour with Escape the Netherworld’s Haunted, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Escape the Netherworld comped our tickets for this game.
