I can show you the world
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Date Played: January 30, 2022
Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $39 per player
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: Players are all required to crawl a short distance.
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Once Upon an Escape’s Arabian Nights was an adorable game chock-full of cute references to a cult-favorite childhood movie. With solid puzzle flow and creatively hidden technology, Arabian Nights was able to design a nostalgic game for players who are familiar with the Disney rendition of the story.
The puzzles throughout the room solved cleanly and easily, although the game could have benefited from including some more layered puzzles to enhance the team experience. Even though the challenges of the room were rather simple, we always had something to do. Some of the puzzles felt like homework in style, with a few of them feeling like they belonged in a puzzle book rather than an escape room.
Spotlighting was plentiful for ease of puzzle-solving and clue-reading, with reliable and sturdy technology integrated into the set.
Some sections of the game contained more content than others. An under-utilized yet aesthetically pleasing space mid-game could have used a bit more puzzle content. This area was one of the best decorated portions of the set, yet we weren’t in there long enough to enjoy the atmosphere.
Once Upon an Escape executed their theming spectacularly from the moment we entered the venue. With a gorgeous lobby, doorways painted specifically for each game, a live fish tank, and themed cloaks for their gamemasters, the space was joyful to spend time in between games.
For newer players, this game is good as an entry level experience that will provide satisfying solves, and experienced folks will still find the game enjoyable.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Scenery snobs
- Fairytale fans
- Newbies
Why play?
- Whimsical fairytale-themed gameplay and set design
- A luminous late-game interaction
- Traditional escape room puzzle play
Story
A magic lamp had been buried deep in a cave located in a far-off land. This lamp could grant our every wish, but entering the chamber would be treacherous. Our team had to follow in the footsteps of the King of Thieves to find the magic lamp and escape.
Setting
Beginning in our lovable street urchin’s hideout, we traversed a sandy set to find the magic lamp buried under a tomb full of puzzles and shiny objects.
Gameplay
One Upon an Escape’s Arabian Nights was a standard escape room with a low level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, making connections, observing, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ An unexpected interaction allowed one of the final puzzles to shine. Our entire team paused to admire the solve.
➕ Puzzles were well clued and clear. The path through the game, while linear, flowed well, with each solve leading to new aha moments.
➖ The room was light on puzzle content. While the puzzles worked and made sense, there was room to utilize more complex or multi-step puzzles for more collaborative solves.
➕ All tech interactions worked flawlessly. We never felt the need to fiddle with a device to make it work, and nothing was worn out.
➖ The early-game decoration paled in comparison to later-game sets. Our team spent the most time in an entry room that was not decorated up to the standard of the other spaces. The room with only a small amount of gameplay in which we spent the least time, ended up being one of the more atmospheric sets.
➕ The lobby had beautiful doorways leading into each of the experiences. They were inspired by the theme and made for memorable beginnings.
❓ The room used the original subject matter as a room theme and not a as storytelling device. Every object was there for a reason, was accurate, and brought back nostalgia for some players, but without knowing the story, players won’t understand any story.
Tips For Visiting
- Once Upon an Escape has plenty of parking on-premise
Book your hour with Once Upon an Escape’s Arabian Nights, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Once Upon an Escape provided media discounted tickets for this game.
