Bust Out Escape Room – Camp Crystal Lake [Review]

Camp with the fishes

Location:  Albuquerque, NM

Date Played: June 3, 2022

Team size: 4-8; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $25 per player

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

We’ve already reviewed Bust Out Escape Room’s newer games. We played Camp Crystal Lake mainly to see where this company started. Plus, this game caterers to fandom and still quite popular.

Camp Crystal Lake was a fun old-school escape room. The jump scares created fun moments (and not terrifying ones) and with each act, the scene changed in ways were didn’t see coming.

We expect that the third act impresses many newer players, for whom the novelty outweighs the lack of polish in execution.

Play Camp Crystal Lake for the theming, but know that it doesn’t quite capture the Friday the 13th slasher horror vibe that well. It’s an escape room through and through, with a bit of adventure tossed in. It’s was a strong early outing from a company who went on to up the caliber of both puzzles and adventure.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Friday the 13th fans
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Dramatic scene changes
• Playful mid-game sequence
• The jump scares

Story

Camp Crystal Lake was finally reopening after being closed for 16 years. We’d volunteered to help with the reopening… when the wrath of Jason Voorhees descended upon us.

Setting

Camp Crystal Lake began in a wood-paneled fisherman’s cabin. It was a cozy lake-side abode with thematic posters, gear, and entertainment. It felt appropriate – like it had been built in a previous era.

Gameplay

Bust Out Escape Room’s Camp Crystal Lake was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

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

Analysis

➕ Camp Crystal Lake excelled at dramatic set changes. As one of Bust Out Escape Room’s earlier games, it didn’t have the set design budget of some of their newer games. However the different game spaces were each distinct, and as such, surprising reveals.

➖ Although the aesthetic of the final set was unexpected, after the initial moments of intrigue, the seams showed a bit too much.

➕ The puzzles were solid, if not especially novel. We liked how things spun nicely into place.

➖ Bust Out Escape Room struggled with similar digit structure and lack of lock mapping. When we derived a code, we’d have to try it multiple locks, deflating our momentum just a bit.

➖ It wasn’t always clear when we had enough information to start solving something. We spent too much time on inactive puzzles.

➕ The jump scares delivered. Rest assured, these aren’t terrifying, but they will get you. In a good way.

➕ One unusual interaction toyed with us. It takes extra care and engagement from the staff to land this, but it was a highlight of the experience.

Tips For Visiting

• Camp Crystal Lake is located at the San Mateo location.
• There is a parking lot.

Book your hour with Bust Out Escape Room’s Camp Crystal Lake, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.