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.
“Trains, like time and tides stop for no one.” -Jules Verne
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
20,000 Leagues was beautiful. At times the gameplay dragged. At times the puzzles were surprisingly challenging. Above all else, it was an immersive adventure in a spacious, detailed, elaborate environment.
If you’re familiar with 5 Wits, know that the Foxboro location offers longer, actor-lead adventures. 20,000 Leagues is only offered at the Foxboro location.
5 Wits was 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
- Sci-fi fans
- Families
- Any experience level
Why play?
- A magnificent and massive set
- Great approachable puzzle sequences
- Family friendly entertainment
Story
Our trip to the Jules Verne museum took a turn for the fantastic when we stumbled upon the long-hidden submarine Nautilus. Once under the depths of the sea, however, we had a lot of work to do. Captain Nemo’s old vessel wasn’t exactly in mint condition.
Setting
We entered the Jules Verne museum for our tour of their collection. Through an unexpected accident we ultimately found ourselves traveling 20,000 leagues in the legendary Nautilus. From there our experience traversed the massive boat.
The set was beautiful, weathered, detailed, and wide open (which didn’t necessarily feel like a submarine, but did help keep things comfortable).
Gameplay
5 Wits’ 20,000 Leagues was a family-friendly adventure guided by an actor with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around puzzling and enjoying the large and detailed set.
Analysis
+ 20,000 Leagues was aesthetically beautifully from entrance to exit.
– While the opening sequence in the museum was a cute idea, wandering among paintings and some basic exhibits was far from an exciting opening. It took a long time for the experience to start delivering serious interactive excitement.
+ The transition moment from museum to submarine was surprising, humorous, and entertaining.
+ We enjoyed many of the spatial reasoning puzzles in 20,000 Leagues, some which especially got our brains in gear.
+ There was an honestly challenging puzzle sequence in 20,000 Leagues. Solving this felt especially satisfying.
– One segment relied too heavily on precise color perception. It was more frustrating than engaging.
+/- There were great opportunities for team work throughout 20,000 Leagues… but I certainly would not want to play it with a group of more than 6 engaged players.
? Some of the best puzzles from 20,000 Leagues reemerged in 5 Wits’ newer games at other locations: Drago’s Castle and Deep Space. We genuinely enjoyed solving these again, but it had been a long time since we’d played those other games.
+ 20,000 Leagues surfaced theatrically. It was a dramatic conclusion with exciting effects that engaged the entire group.
Tips for Visiting
- 5 Wits is located at Patriot’s Place, near the cinema.
- There are many food options at Patriot’s Place.
- 20,000 Leagues is entirely wheelchair accessible.
Book your hour with 5 Wits’ 20,000 Leagues, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
