A real blood bath
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Date Played: December 16, 2021
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: from $45 per player for teams of 2 to $35 per player for teams of more than 7
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: You may experience dim lighting, fog, and small space entries.
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
The Asylum: Playtime, formerly known as The Asylum: Chapter 2, functions as a completely standalone game from The Asylum: The Doctor’s Secret. However the two games are mechanically connected in a really nifty way if you book them back-to-back.
The standout component to The Asylum: Playtime was the hint system… it was brilliant, playful, and allowed the gamemaster and the players to creatively engage with one another. For our team, the best moments of the game were born of these interactions.
From a gameplay standpoint, The Asylum: Playtime felt traditional, with some of the components feeling worn or dated.
Overall, The Asylum: Playtime has changed a bit in recent months, and we’re told by Lost Games that they plan to make more adjustments.
The reason to play The Asylum – both games – is for the atmosphere and experience. So, if you’re in Las Vegas and looking for a few escape rooms, playing both of the Asylum games back-to-back is a good way to do it.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Horror
- Best for players with at least some experience
- Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle
Why play?
- Strong actor-driven moments
- A wonderful hint system
- Traditional escape room puzzle play
Story
Following the events of The Doctor’s Secret, we’d saved ourselves from one problem… and found another. With the threat of an impending lobotomy, we had to free ourselves from the asylum’s rec room.
Setting
The Asylum: Playtime, was set in a dark, dingy asylum rec room with some strong One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest vibes.
The late game had some dramatic set pieces and added to the imposing vibe of the asylum.
Gameplay
Lost Games’ The Asylum: Playtime was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, and making connections. The puzzles ranged from the more traditional to more dexterous challenges.
Analysis
➖ The first act dragged. Lost Games had recently changed the opening sequence (and we agree it was for the best!) but the change left a bit of a bumpy ride in new ways. There was no clear starting place and when we were redirected and finally opened the first lock… it was kind of a let down. Lost Games made it clear to us that they were still reworking this intro. I’m confident it will improve.
➕ The hint system stole the show in Playtime. Our gamemaster voiced a new character whose physical presence was quite amusing.
➕ In Playtime, Lost Games heated up their interaction design for a fun reveal.
➖ The set was worn and dirty. Cluing appeared in partially worn-off Sharpie. The aesthetic wasn’t energizing. It felt messy and tired.
➖ One prop was available too early and led to a lot of wasted effort as we continued to try to engage with it by making connections that seemed relevant (but were not) long before the right usage became apparent. It didn’t deliver on the long wait with a satisfying payoff, puzzle-wise.
➕ Playtime was at its best when the set or props transformed. This was the story of the second act. It created dramatic moments that led into satisfying solves.
➕ Playtime had some memorable set pieces presented well.
➖ In one instance a finicky prop that lacked feedback left us swimming upstream.
➕ The final interaction was a fun, energizing ending.
Tips For Visiting
- Parking: There is a parking lot.
Book your hour with Lost Games’ The Asylum: Playtime, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Lost Games comped our tickets for this game.
