Puzzles & Dickens
Location: Arvada, CO
Date Played: November 6, 2022
Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per player
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Scrooge: The Search for Holiday Spirit was a traditional escape room packed with well-designed puzzles. Conundrum did a lovely job of translating the core concept of A Christmas Carol into an escape room, bookending the experience with the stark world of Scrooge’s business and the warmth of a holiday with a caring family.
Conundrum has an incredible knack for producing escape rooms that are brilliant, engaging, and aesthetically compelling, without some of the higher budget production techniques that we’ve come to expect from high-end escape rooms. And I do mean that as a compliment. I hold this company in very high regard.
What I would love to see from Conundrum is a focus on hiding their technology and making it feel as magical as it could be. They have a rare talent and are a regional leader that I always look forward to visiting. I want to see them continue to refine their craft as it is so incredibly clear how much they care.
If you’re in the Denver area, be sure to check out Conundrum’s Arvada location. This one is worth playing regardless of the season.
Who is this for?
- Puzzle lovers
- Any experience level
- Fans of A Christmas Carol
- Anyone looking for a non-Santa Claus-inspired Christmas-themed game
Why play?
- Strong and creative puzzle design
- Charming environment
Story
Scrooge: The Search for Holiday Spirit had us following the familiar Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with three Christmas spirits.
Setting
The set started off appropriately spartan and transitioned into a warmer, homier environment. It fit the A Christmas Carol narrative well.
Gameplay
Conundrum’s Scrooge: The Search for Holiday Spirit was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ Scrooge had a strong opening and good on-boarding.
➖ While the intro room was justifiably spartan, I wanted to see a bit more Scrooge in this world. On that note, the intro’s character was a little confusing and out of place.
➕ Conundrum has a reputation for producing creative puzzles and there were a number of them in Scrooge. In particular, there was a very strong box puzzle.
➕/➖ There was an interesting book puzzle that felt like it was begging for a bit more meaning.
➕ Conundrum created an interesting take on a music puzzle and went out of their way to inventively hint it, if needed.
➖ There was an opportunity for Conundrum to add some fine touches by removing some handwritten clues, building housing around tech, and hiding wires.
➕ The ending was warm and Christmasy.
Tips For Visiting
- There is a parking lot.
- This game is at the Arvada location.
Book your hour with Conundrum’s Scrooge: The Search for Holiday Spirit, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Conundrum comped our tickets for this game.
