Headcase is one of the best games around Los Angeles. Here are our other recommendations for great escape rooms near Los Angeles.
Keep your head in the game
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Date Played: October 8, 2022
Team Size: 3-8; we recommend 4-5
Duration: 75 minutes
Price: $45 per player
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: One player will need to crawl
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Headcase was an adventure from the moment we walked into the briefing area. While Breaking Point Escape Rooms used the same set and some of the props from Patient 17 (a prequel to this game), Headcase had entirely new story and puzzles.
The high production cinematics enabled clever narrative delivery, and helped the story and puzzles work together for a fully immersive experience. Breaking Point really leaned into their design strengths, especially by showcasing amazing videography both before and during gameplay. These videos made the escape game feel like a movie; our adventure picked up right where the video left off.
Following along with the story allowed us to interact with the space in unique ways and helped us solve puzzles. The puzzles consisted of multi-layered solves with sound logic that were both approachable and fun. Multiple gameplay moments required most of the team to help out, enabling many stellar communication challenges. These puzzles all solved cleanly, and all of the inputs mapped well to their respective pieces.
Headcase put a fun and inventive twist on the typical asylum trope. If you’re around Rancho Cucamonga, definitely check out both Headcase and The Secret at Whitmore Estate for some spooky (but not creepy) experiences!
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Story seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Scenery snobs
- Any experience level
Why play?
- Fantastic storyline aided by a strong pre-game cinematic
- Solid, creative, and thematic puzzle flow
Story
After the failed mission to save Patient 17, women continued to be captured and experimented on by Doctor Levins. Our team had been sent in to save the women, discover what Dr Levin was up to, and get out.
Setting
Headcase was set in the same space that had previously been Patient 17.
It began in a dark and dingy medical exam room. The entire game was weathered and creepy without being scary. It contained numerous curious props and revealed unexpected spaces.
Gameplay
Breaking Point Escape Rooms’ Headcase was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Gameplay revolved around making connections, searching, following the narrative, observing, and communication.
Analysis
➕ The videography from the introduction all the way through the experience was stellar. The cinematics were of high quality and dramatically upped the ante, making us feel like we were in a movie. The introduction video set the story in motion; the experience flowed seamlessly from the video into our real-life adventure.
➕/➖ Breaking Point implemented a device to talk to teammates in different locations. This removed the need for yelling and fit in the setting gracefully. The communication system paired well with some strong puzzle designs throughout, but we wished the system worked without intermittently cutting in and out.
➕ A puzzle sequence cleverly showed us the solution beyond the bounds of the game space, allowing the space itself to seem much larger than it was. This technique advanced the narrative and foreshadowed the remainder of the experience while providing a satisfying solve.
➖ A handful of items were distributed well before we could use them, leading to confusion about whether objects were in play or would be used later.
➕ The escape game contained many interesting tactile objects and interactions, plus a good mix of typical locks. The elements blended well in the space. They were justified by the story and fun to interact with.
➕ Regardless of how much time teams have remaining when the final sequence hits, Headcase introduces pressure. This raised the stakes and upped our adrenaline to finish our mission and get out unscathed.
Tips For Visiting
- There is plenty of parking on site.
- We recommend The Poke Place for some quick and tasty poke.
Book your session with Breaking Point Escape Rooms’ Headcase, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Breaking Point Escape Rooms provided media discounted tickets for this game.
