60 to Escape – INVASION! [Review]

Invasion! is one of the best escape rooms in Milwaukee. Here are our recommendations for other great escape rooms in Milwaukee.

You’re killing me, Smalls!

Location: Greendale, WI

Date Played: March 11, 2022

Team Size: 1-8; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $30 per player with a $90 minimum

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: Players are required to duck through a low doorway

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

I have been yearning for an outrageous theme to be brought to fruition in an escape room for a very long time, and 60 to Escape accomplished this mind-boggling feat in INVASION!. In the game, we were sent on a quest to retrieve our prized baseball and find our friend Brian who had gone missing looking for said baseball.

We were blown away by the set, reveals, puzzle variety, and full-circle story, halting only at a key decision point. The range of emotions our team encountered was a rollercoaster full of pure joy, fright, sorrow, and everything in-between in a mere hour. Furthermore, 60 to Escape designed a protagonist for the experience who guided this endearing story arc, further elevating the immersion and narrative. 

A front door beside a garage, the door has warning signs. The garage door and exterior walls have strange writing on them.

60 to Escape designed something special when they created INVASION!. If you’re anywhere within driving distance of Milwaukee, it is absolutely worth going on a journey to find your friend Brian in your weird neighbor’s house.

Who is this for?

  • Adventure seekers
  • Story seekers
  • Puzzle lovers
  • Scenery snobs
  • Best for players with at least some experience
  • Technophiles

Why play?

  • Adorable, endearing, and hilarious protagonist
  • Innovative puzzles requiring entire team engagement
  • A decision point that packed a punch 

Story

We were playing baseball in our backyard, and accidentally hit the baseball into our weird neighbor’s window! Our friend went to get our prized baseball before the neighbor found out, and then never came back. 

Setting

Standing in our neighbor’s front yard, we ventured into the depths of their house to retrieve the baseball that we had hit through their window and look for our friend.   

Gameplay

60 to Escape’s INVASION! was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

➕ We fell in love with the quirky characters in INVASION! Our protagonist was especially charming, enhancing our emotional yet goofy journey into the weird neighbor’s house. 

➕ Each reveal was unexpected and surprising. We didn’t know what we would find when opening new doors, but looking back, the foreshadowing was brilliantly incorporated. These reveals extended far past game areas and into interactions and puzzles. 

➕ Many of the game’s puzzles and interactions were large and tactile with seamless tech. These were well integrated in the set and story.

➖ One of the late-game sets lacked the polish prevalent in the rest of the experience. 

INVASION! was full of smooth interaction design, with the gameplay not only flowing in a puzzle sense, but allowing the players to flow alongside. This expertly clued all players to have the optimal experience of being together during key moments.

➕ The set continuously unfolded in unexpected and delightfully whimsical ways. Each transition was well thought out and distinctive.

➕ The puzzle design was just as unique as the theme, with each solve being memorable and satisfying. These puzzles included some reasonable searching, fun input mechanisms, and communication challenges.

➕ 60 to Escape designed an incredibly strong yet unexpected narrative, supplemented by a memorable ending. This was further amplified by perfectly balancing the cute and creepy nature of the experience.

Tips For Visiting

  • There is plenty of parking on-site
  • 60 to Escape is located on the second floor of the Southridge Mall. Please note INVASION! is at their Wisconsin location.
  • The food court is right next door for plenty of post-game grub.

Book your hour with 60 to Escape’s INVASION!, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: 60 to Escape comped our tickets for this game.

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