Abandoned Ship is one of the best games in the Detroit area. Here are our other recommendations for great escape rooms around Detroit.
Escape the Kraken
Location: Livonia, Michigan
Date Played: August 3, 2019
Team size: up to 8; we recommend 4-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $28 per player
Ticketing: Public
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Every once in a while we happen upon a company a few months too early. Seeing what Excape Games has in the works, I am pretty sure that they are in the process of transforming themselves from a solid escape room company into a real force in their region.
Check out Abandoned Ship if you’re in the area because it’s a fun, traditional game with some great elements, but keep an eye out for their new projects. It feels like Excape Games is on the brink of something special.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Any experience level
- Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle
Why play?
- Strong puzzles
- It builds up well
Story
Our research expedition had successfully rediscovered the lost submarine, the S.S. Odyssey. As we boarded it and attempted to surface the boat, it sustained damage. We had to work under pressure to bring the submarine back to sea level, saving it and ourselves.
Setting
Abandoned Ship opened in a bland silver and gray room. It wasn’t the greatest first impression. Excape Games made it clear to us that they had near-future plans to greatly improve this space and I believe them.
With each subsequent space, the Abandoned Ship became more beautiful and compelling. The overwhelming majority of the experience took place in these exciting locations.
Gameplay
Excape Games’ Abandoned Ship was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ Abandoned Ship had an interesting assembly puzzle. This sequence had subtle cluing that worked impeccably. It was brilliant.
➖ In other places, there was opportunity to mind the details: a mount here, consistency in cluing there.
➕ The puzzles generally flowed well and delivered satisfying solves.
➖ While most of the game was well clued, we found one needlessly unclued search puzzle to be a frustrating time sink. Additionally, there were too many clues written on laminated paper that could have been more fully integrated into the set and the world.
➕ The set design ramped up over the course of the game. With each new space we entered, the gamespace was more intriguing. We always enjoy a good steampunk aesthetic.
➖ The first room looked sparse. While this didn’t detract from the gameplay, the initial scene was jarringly under designed.
➕ We always appreciate an unusual door. This vessel didn’t disappoint.
➕/➖ Abandoned Ship had a really cool final set, but it lacked an impactful finale.
Tips For Visiting
- There is a parking lot.
Book your hour with Excape Games’ Abandoned Ship, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Excape Games comped our tickets for this game.
