Cracked It! Escape Games – New Blood, New World [Review]

Update December 4, 2021: Check the comments to note the improvements since the time of this review.

Haunted Voyage

Location:  Midway Park, NC

Date Played: September 29, 2021

Team size: 4-6; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $27 per player, minimum of 3

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

New Blood, New World was a well-crafted escape room that blended traditional puzzle play with a compelling ship set, and mixed in a narrative that was remarkably captivating.

These elements all came together and felt right. The puzzles flowed and solved cleanly, making great use of classic escape room gameplay.

If we could change anything about New Blood, New World, it would be mostly quality-of-life improvements such as adding a table to work on, and a bit of spot lighting.

If you’re new, this is the kind of game that will get you hooked on escape rooms. If you’re a traveling escape room playing near Camp Lejeune, this would be the game to play. I’m glad we stopped in for this one.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Any experience level

Why play?

• Told a compelling story
• Light-touch implementation of augmented reality

Story

Every year, for one night only, a mysterious ship appears off the coast. As paranormal investigators, we had been hired to explore the ship and learn its secrets.

Setting

In New Blood, New World, we boarded a ship for our adventure. From floor to ceiling, and through details like the lantern lighting and the door, the space sold itself as a ship.

Additionally, Cracked It! Escape Games used a little bit of augmented reality to convey the story of New Blood, New World, and the approach worked. It wasn’t a flashy implementation of technology; it simply told the story.

Gameplay

Cracked It! Escape Games’ New Blood, New World was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling.

Analysis

➕ New Blood, New World told an unexpected tale. As the details unfolded, we came to appreciate it more.

➕ With the aid of augmented reality, Cracked It! Escape Games enabled the story to shine through simple art and narration. Furthermore, the augmented reality was an integrated part of the experience, not a stoppage of play.

➕ Detailed attention in set design and construction further added to the experience.

➕ New Blood, New World used classic escape room gameplay well. Puzzles were well clued, fair, and tangible. The game flowed well.

➖ Cracked It! Escape Games could vary the puzzle styles a bit more. We solved a few different challenges with similar structures.

➖ We lacked a good work station, like a table, where we could have spread out information among team members. Furthermore, New Blood, New World had a dim atmosphere and we would have appreciated spotlighting, rather than small handheld flashlights.

➕ We appreciated a transition sequence that could easily have felt hokey, but landed as amusing and engaging.

➖ As the story and puzzles resolved with a final interaction, we wished for more from the finale.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot.

Book your hour with Cracked It! Escape Games’ New Blood, New World, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Cracked It! Escape Games comped our tickets for this game.