Update 7/4/23: If you enjoy 5 Wits we hope you’ll check out our interview with CEO Matthew DuPlessie on The Reality Escape Pod.
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
Location: Foxboro, MA
Date Played: July 15, 2018
Team size: 2-15; we recommend 3-6
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $19.99 per ticket for one adventure, $24.99 for two adventures
Ticketing: Public (contact them for private games)
REA Reaction
5 Wits’ original Espionage in Foxboro, MA was bookended with awesomeness. The clandestine introduction and dynamic conclusion were leaps and bounds beyond what we had experienced in the more recent, more technology-driven version. In the middle, we saw segments that had been carried over into the updated experience and a section that… we can see why it got cut.
If you’re familiar with 5 Wits, know that the Foxboro location offers longer, actor-led adventures.
5 Wits is more about the adventure than the puzzles. If that’s appealing, and you’re anywhere near Boston, this is worth a visit, especially if you have children with you.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Story seekers
- Scenery snobs
- Secret agents at heart
- Families
- Any experience level
Why play?
- A massive set with some beautiful sections.
- A creative and exciting opening sequence.
- A brilliant and magical closing sequence.
Story
Our team of spies had been sent into the headquarters of a nefarious organization known as The Cabal. Our mission was to find stolen satellite plans, identify the mole within our own organization, and do so without being discovered.
Setting
Our adventure began in an old rug shop, a front for our covert organization and a listening post. After receiving our mission, we descended into the Cabal’s base and began infiltrating their security.
From there, we explored an ever-changing series of corridors and research labs. Most of the experience was incredibly detailed and incorporated more than a little magic to keep things interesting.
Gameplay
5 Wits’ Espionage was a family-friendly adventure guided by an actor, with a lower level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around puzzling, navigating physical challenges, and enjoying the large and detailed set.
Analysis
+ We entered this undercover operation… under cover. The opening sequence was charming, interactive, approachable, and exciting.
+ Our guide Angela was energetic, humorous, and a lot of fun.
– We received substantial mission intel through video recordings. Most of these overstayed their welcome.
+ We brought mission-critical tools with us on our adventure. We could choose to access them as it seemed appropriate. This stayed true to the story and worked well.
+ Our guide also carried our gear around with us; it was never a burden.
+ Espionage included a few more challenging cerebral puzzles that relied on logic and reasoning.
– One set was filled with red herrings. We did not enjoy a search-focused segment in a room where anything felt like it could be relevant.
– One puzzle required substantial guesswork. We were hesitant to guess, wondering if we’d missed some information. We would have preferred some cluing.
+/- Espionage had some beautiful segments, but a fair amount of this game was aesthetically a step down from all of the other experiences we’ve had with 5 Wits.
+ The concluding sequence was brilliantly designed and appeared magical. 5 Wits tricked our senses to end Espionage with a bang.
? We reviewed Espionage at 5 Wits’ Syracuse location more than three years ago. The two versions follow the same mission and incorporate many of the same sets, structure, and puzzles, but they aren’t identical. There are segments that differ between the two. Additionally, the older Espionage in Foxboro is guided, while the newer version in Syracuse (NY) and Plymouth Meeting (PA) is automated, with only voiceover and video guidance. If you enjoy 5 Wits’ adventures, it’s worth playing both versions, but maybe not in too short a span of time.
Tips for Visiting
- 5 Wits is located at Patriot Place, near the cinema.
- There are many food options at Patriot Place.
- At least one team member must be able to crawl through a small space.
- At least one team member must be comfortable with a more physical challenge.
Book your hour with 5 Wits’ Espionage, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
