Curse of the Mayan Temple is one of the best games in Albuquerque. Here are our other recommendations for great escape rooms in Albuquerque.
Adventure by torchlight
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Date Played: June 3, 2022
Team size: 4-8; we recommend 3-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per player
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A] Push To Exit
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Curse of the Mayan Temple shouldn’t be a particularly challenging game. It had less content than Bust Out Escape Room’s other experiences. The puzzles were varied in style and well clued.
That said, two unusual game design decisions make this a rather variable escape room. Either one can sink a team of even experienced players (we’ve seen it happen), causing them to spiral into the depths of frustration.
Our advice for Bust Out: add gating for one early solution so that a team cannot progress to the next unusual section without completing it.
Our advice for players: If the game feels inordinately frustrating, it probably doesn’t need to be. Search harder.
We enjoyed Curse of the Mayan Temple because it looked great, played well, and took risks. Although Rattlesnake Bend and Jumanji are our favorite games from this company, if you have time to add on another adventure, we recommend Curse of the Mayan Temple.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Scenery snobs
- Indiana Jones fans
- Best for players with at least some experience
- Players who communicate well
Why play?
- The unexpected mid-game introduction of a new mechanic
- Momentum-building final sequence
Story
Legend told that the temple had been cursed… but we were determined to uncover the truth of whatever lay within.
Setting
The weathered stone walls of the temple and ancient artifacts took us back in time. A large skull presided over one corner of the set. It was impressive.
Gameplay
Bust Out Escape Room’s Curse of the Mayan Temple was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, solving puzzles, and communicating.
Analysis
➕ The opening set looked great, and was punctuated by a single imposing set piece.
➕ We commend Bust Out Escape Room on taking multiple tropes that we don’t usually like, and making them land well.
➕ Curse of the Mayan Temple used a particular game mechanic in a novel way by incorporating it partway through the game. We were completely surprised to walk straight into this shift in gameplay.
➖ Curse of the Mayan Temple relied too heavily on reading a run book. While the prop was justified in the world, it would have been more exciting to have the clue structure worked into the set and props.
➕ We enjoyed the unusual takes on a variety of puzzles: dexterity, communication, and even searching.
➖ One handheld prop was challenging to use. We’d have appreciated this more as a stationary sequence.
➕ The final sequence built momentum. We enjoyed the handcrafted prop at the base of this segment, and everything flowed well.
➕ /➖ Bust Out Escape Room took a gamble with the first challenge. It was illuminating. Some teams will accomplish it in seconds, without even registering it as a challenge. However, for a team that misses this, the gameplay quickly becomes more frustrating than fun. We recommend a slight tweak to require teams to complete this challenge before progressing too far into the experience.
Tips For Visiting
- Curse of the Mayan Temple is located at the Paseo location.
- There is a parking lot.
- We recommend La Reforma for excellent tacos, beer, and cocktails.
Book your hour with Bust Out Escape Room’s Curse of the Mayan Temple, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
