Necromancer is an avatar-led online adaptation of a real-life escape game, created by Exit19.pl in Wroclaw, Poland.
Format
Style of Play:
- Adaptation of an in-person game (can be played IRL)
- Avatar controlled by the players
- Web-based inventory system
- Includes video segments
Who is it For?
- Adventure seekers
- Story seekers
- Any experience level
Required Equipment: computer with internet connection
Recommended Team Size: 2-5
Play Time: 70 minutes
Price: 405 PLN (or about $100) per team for the English version
Booking: book online for a specific time slot
Description
Necromancer is an escape room in real-life that we played through Zoom. There is a Telescape inventory system plus 360Ā°-view pictures of the spaces. There are 2 people operating the game: our gamemaster in front of the camera and the cameraman.
Tammy McLeod’s Reaction
This avatar-based escape game has a number of things going for it. Besides our friendly game host, there was a separate camera person who interacted with us purely through their hands. That injected humor and also allowed for a more natural perspective of the game. Telescape was used appropriately and helpfully, with some nice videos. The puzzle flow was smooth, there were a few nice aha! moments, and the game uses the space well. Since I am unlikely to get to Poland anytime soon, this was a nice online adaption to play.
Cara Mandel’s Reaction
Necromancer was a well designed, spooky, and fun escape room. It looked like a room that would be really enjoyable in person. Our game was hosted by an on-camera gamemaster with a second person operating the camera, which made for a smooth gameplay experience. Our camera person even got to be part of the action at one point, which I appreciated. The game used Telescape and 360Ā° views of the space, which at this point have become pretty standard for virtual escape rooms. There was a considerable amount of searching required, which was a bit lackluster over Zoom, though it was nice to see the detail put into the production design of the room. Overall, this was a solid room and worth a play (though Iād have preferred to have played it IRL).
Joel Smileypeacefun Reaction
In a creepy dungeon space, a necromancer was looking for his next victims. We had to save our lives.
At its best, the intro video set the darker mood for this game well. The gamemaster tried hard to make us have a great time. There were some clever puzzles, fun mechanisms, and some interactive moments with our host within an intriguing and nice-looking set.
At its worst, especially later on in the game, it was hard to keep track of all the tasks available. On Zoom some of the wowing reveals were hard to see. The ending could have been much grander. Also, the time schedule for the online adaptation seemed a bit tight because things did not move as fast as if played in real life.
Overall I had a fun time playing, even though there were some slight language barriers present at times.
The Lone Puzzler’s Reaction
This game was very detailed with significant amounts of real-world craftsmanship in the spaces, the puzzles, and the themes. The Necromancer felt spooky even in an online avatar-led presentation. However, it would be hard to encourage anyone who could visit the physical room to settle for the online version. We were stuck in a creepy castle with a scared time traveller, hoping we could help him escape. The time traveler was forced to do many things he did not want to do, which added a lot of flavor to the game to make things flow and heighten the dramatic sense of the game. The puzzles were primarily handmade unique items that when used correctly led to fun interactions. Overall, a very delightful game with lots of tricks and twists. If you cannot visit in person, it is worth grabbing some online friends and joining up with the time traveler against the necromancer.
Disclosure: Exit19.pl provided the Hivemind reviewers with a discounted play.