Rush in.
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Date Played: July 26, 2018
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $26 per ticket
Ticketing: Public
REA Reaction
60 Minute Escape opened with The Fallout. It was a strong first game that combined searching and puzzling with narrative elements and revealing moments. Despite a few frustrating design decisions, The Fallout flowed well.
If you’re a new player in the area, The Fallout would be a fun place to start. If you’re a more experienced player, 60 Minute Escape’s newer Pharaoh’s Chamber was a far more special game.
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?
- Detailed and grim set design
- Puzzle-driven gameplay
Story
We stepped through time into an alternate history where Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was on the brink of nuclear annihilation. We had to work together to gain entry into a fallout shelter before the bomb fell.
Setting
Low lit and grim, The Fallout had an ominous, spooky vibe. With a highly detailed set, the staging felt intense.
While we knew something bad would happen at the end of our 60 minutes, it seemed like something terrible might have already happened in this place.
Gameplay
60 Minute Escape’s The Fallout was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
+ The opening set looked intense and exciting.
+ 60 Minute Escape incorporated cluing in the form of story. Or maybe story in the form of cluing. It worked well.
– The setting was unnecessarily dark. Throughout much of the game, the set and lighting felt more “horror” than “bunker.” It wasn’t scary and it didn’t really enhance our mission. The low lighting also made puzzle-solving far more frustrating.
+ Although the staging for The Fallout was intense, the cluing was at times humorous, which we enjoyed.
+ We enjoyed how 60 Minute Escape set one lock during reset so that we wouldn’t go off on a wild goose chase.
– At times The Fallout lacked feedback, especially when multiple puzzles had to be solved to trigger one reveal.
– The Fallout included an input mechanism that didn’t make a ton of sense in the experience, and didn’t seem to be used with intent.
? The Fallout was heavy on searching in low light. 60 Minute Escape hid clues well, but fairly.
+ We enjoyed the layered puzzle solves.
Tips for Visiting
- There is parking out front.
- We enjoyed the muffins (and other delicacies) at Mimi’s Cafe.
- Players must be able to duck through a low entrance.
Book your hour with 60 Minute Escape’s The Fallout, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: 60 Minute Escape comped our tickets for this game.
