Bernie Block is one of the best escape rooms around Montreal, Canada. Here are our recommendations for great escape rooms in the Montreal area.
Update 11/1/22: If you enjoy Bernie Block we hope you’ll check out our interview with creators Jonathan Driscoll and Sacha St.Denis on The Reality Escape Pod.
Lego Land
Location: Laval, Quebec, Canada
Date Played: February 2, 2020
Team size: 3-6; we recommend 2 – a small family
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: 29.99 CAD per player
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Bernie Block is the Lego escape room that I didn’t know I needed in my life.
While it never explicitly mentions Lego in any way, the look and feel was all Lego… and it was a delight.
Escaparium clearly designed Bernie Block for children, but our team of adults still adored it. Sure, it was easier, but that didn’t diminish the joy of the experience.
I would have loved to see a little more drama at the end to match the detail that was poured into the world, but overall, Bernie Block is a must-play for families who are anywhere near Montreal. If you’re an adult player who doesn’t have kids, there’s a lot to love about Bernie Block if you’re willing to embrace the playfulness of this game. I am quite happy that I did.
Who is this for?
- Families
- Lego fanatics
- Scenery snobs
- Any experience level
Why play?
- The cuteness levels are dangerously high
- It feels like stepping inside of a giant Lego construction
- Bernie Block is funny in a family-friendly way
Story
Bernie Block desperately needed our help… to convince his crush to go on a date with him.
Setting
Everything was built from blocks. Everything. The walls, the ceiling, the floor, the furniture – all of it. Bernie Block looked like we had stepped into something made by an 8-year-old in the best way possible.
As an adult, it felt like wonderful nostalgia… and I have to imagine that as a kid, Bernie Block would feel simply awesome.
Gameplay
Escaparium’s Bernie Block was a family-friendly escape room with a lower level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ Delightful. This describes Bernie Block to a T. It describes the set, story, music, and so many of the in-game interactions.
➕ The block-based set and prop design created a unique aesthetic. It was bright and friendly. Escaparium minded the details, adding lego-y echos in their choice of set decor and props. The story came to life because we really felt a part of this little world.
➕ We met the characters in Bernie Block through amusing videos with stellar voice acting. They added humor and purpose to the gameplay.
➖ Although counting puzzles belong in a family-friendly escape game, the cluing felt messy, which made this sequence more chaotic than it needed to be.
➖ In one case, the trigger tolerances were a bit too tight. We had solved something and it didn’t quite register until we shifted things.
➕ Bernie Block was especially charming because of its scale. The space felt small, but the interactions felt big. Escaparium replicated Lego interactions in their puzzle design, and delivered them at human size.
➖ We loved many of the set pieces in the second act – so much so that we wanted them to be a larger part of the experience. This felt like a missed opportunity.
➖ There was opportunity to do something more energetic with the finale.
➕ The Lego theme had broad appeal. Kids will feel at home in this game. Our group of adults felt nostalgic and no less joyful.
Tips For Visiting
- There is a parking lot.
- Note that Escaparium has multiple venues around Montreal. Bernie Block is in Laval at the Boul. Rossignols location.
- This game is entirely bilingual (French and English).
Book your hour with Escaparium’s Bernie Block, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Escaparium comped our tickets for this game.
