Squirrel!
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date Played: September 23, 2022
Team size: 4-8; we recommend 4-5
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per player for teams of 4-5, $28 per player for teams of 6-8
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: one step up within the game
Emergency Exit Rating: [A] Push To Exit
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
The Cabin was a classic escape room that offered a lot of fun moments.
Twisted Escape Rooms nailed the slightly creepy cabin vibe that makes this theme popular. It was dark, silly fun, without ever crossing into truly scary.
By starting the game outside the cabin, the game had more depth and intrigue than the original implementations of this theme in the industry.
The puzzles were generally well-clued and the gameplay flowed well. The Cabin incorporated common escape room puzzle types, but Twisted Escape Rooms put their own twist on these moments. With a few minor adjustments in lock selection, the gameplay would be smoother and the maintenance easier.
We recommend The Cabin for anyone in the mood for a puzzley frolic through the woods. We expect it will deliver on expectations for new players (though not without surprises!), leaving them excited to play more. Experienced players should go in expecting less surprises, but no less amusement.
Who is this for?
- Puzzle lovers
- Scenery snobs
- Campy horror fans… with emphasis on camp
- Any experience level
Why play?
- Spooky good fun
- Laughs
Story
We were lost in the woods when we stumbled upon this cabin. Considering our lack of supplies, we decided to check it out, in hopes we’d be better off inside. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that type of cabin and instead we’d put ourselves in even more danger, should the inhabitant return.
Setting
Everything about The Cabin was straddling a line between playful and dark. The set was reasonably detailed, and the elements that were deliberately built out looked great. Portions of the game that weren’t developed were completely ignored, like carpeting and ceiling (for much of the game).
The key setpieces looked great.
Gameplay
Twisted Room Escapes’ The Cabin was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ The Cabin was playful, silly horror. It was a fun vibe with a practical joke or two. Although the theming was dark, it wasn’t especially scary.
➕ The set looked good. Our game began outside the cabin. Twisted Escape Rooms did a nice job with the cabin facade.
➖ The Cabin could have used a good dusting. Those with allergies struggled, especially when searching.
➖ There was an opportunity to build thematic, atmospheric lighting rather than using the building’s regular light switches.
➕ The puzzles flowed well. We always knew where to focus our attention. It was clear which items were connected, and up to us to solve that connection.
➖In The Cabin we encountered multiple locks where the wrong key fit in (but wouldn’t unlock). Over time, this will cause unnecessary wear (and broken keys). It also stalled the gameplay a little, as we had to double check the lock-and-key combination in each of these instances.
➕/➖ Twisted Escape Rooms gave an in-world timer a shot. We appreciated the design… except that we didn’t realize this was the timer mechanism.
➕We especially enjoyed one puzzle that required the entire team to simultaneously execute. It was a satisfying solve.
➖ Although we liked the concept, an audio puzzle overstayed its welcome.
➕ Twisted Room Escapes hid poker chips within the game (available in all their escape rooms) that we could redeem for a spin on a prize wheel upon our escape. This added another layer of excitement and led to thorough searching, which was also important for gameplay.
Tips For Visiting
- There is ample on-site parking.
- There is a delicious Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant nearby: Egg Roll No 1.
Book your hour with Twisted Room Escapes’ The Cabin, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Twisted Room Escapes provided media discounted tickets for this game.
