Update October 2022: The Escape Game purchased this location from Escape Room Live. They revamped 3 of the escape rooms (including this one), turning them into essentially new experiences with 60-minute game clocks. The 45-minute experiences are only slightly changed from the original games in the space.
Mummy may I?
Location: Washington, DC
Date Played: April 21, 2018
Team size: 2-10; we recommend 2-5
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: $28 per ticket
Ticketing: Public
REA Reaction
The Mummy was about adventure over puzzles. The large-scale, interactive set pieces were exciting to manipulate. While some of the props and interactions were a touch too temperamental, the escape room delivered well-timed cinematic and memorable moments.
If you’re a new player in the area, try this one out.
If you’re more experienced, this a value judgment. Know that you’ll move quickly through this 45-minute experience.
If you’re in Georgetown looking for a good adventure, checkout The Mummy.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Scenery snobs
- Any experience level
- Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle
Why play?
- Beautiful set pieces
- Exciting, set-based interactions
- Cinematic moments
- The Escape Room Live lobby & bar
Story
As archeologists, we were exploring an ancient Egyptian tomb when the main doors sealed shut. We needed to escape because… Egyptian curses aren’t favorable.
Setting
The set felt small; there wasn’t a ton of room to walk around. (Note for the claustrophobic folks: It’s not that small.)
The props felt enormous. The Egyptians had carved life-sized – and larger – stone depictions of their gods to guard this ancient burial place.
The floor was covered in real sand and the entire set was a bit sandy.
Gameplay
Escape Room Live Georgetown’s The Mummy was a standard escape room with a compelling set.
Core gameplay revolved around observing and determining interactions.
Analysis
+ The set had scale. The space may have been smaller, but the props and scenery felt immense.
+ The Mummy was an adventure. We interacted with it and it reacted to us.
– While we weren’t a rough group, our gamemaster repeatedly told us not to touch or investigate the set pieces with our hands or other in-game props. The continual admonishment diminished the fun of exploration. More player-proofing would go a long way; we felt like we needed permission to play.
– We found one search puzzle more frustrating than fun, especially given the small search tool and the admonishment for certain types of set exploration.
+ We loved one particularly larger-than-life set piece’s reaction. It engaged and impressed the entire team.
– The Mummy looked worn and not in a ruins kind of way. Escape rooms with sand wear more quickly than most and need additional maintenance.
+ The initial room setup subtly clued late-game gameplay. This small detail probably makes a big difference for many teams. It was thoughtfully designed.
– One prop fit exactly into a place where it didn’t belong. We ultimately used it for a completely different purpose where size and shape meant nothing. This was confusing, unsatisfying, and avoidable.
– The gameplay relied on a run book: a journal contained a good portion of the clue structure. While the run book made some sense narratively, in an escape room with a visually interesting set, it was disappointing to have my nose in a book.
+ The opening and closing puzzles were cinematic. Escape Room Live Georgetown designed the puzzle flow around memorable moments. It worked. The final puzzle was a great choice.
Tips for Visiting
- There is a parking garage few blocks down at M and Wisconsin. Street parking is a challenge in this neighborhood.
- There are lots of restaurant options in Georgetown.
- For baked goods, we recommend Baked & Wired. Be prepared to stand in line on the weekend.
- The floor is covered in sand. We recommend closed-toe shoes.
- Note that this is a 45-minute game. If you are experienced player, it will move quickly and feel short.
Book your hour with Escape Room Live Georgetown’s The Mummy, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Escape Room Live provided media discounted tickets for this game.
