Will work for cocoa.
Location: Cucamonga, CA
Date Played: July 6, 2023
Team Size: 3-8; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $42 per player
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Ho Ho Ho! It’s (almost) that time of year again, when Santa’s elves are overworked and under-appreciated. Only this year, the elves have had enough and they’ve all gone on strike. Their list of demands – including unlimited hot chocolate – seemed rather reasonable to us. But Christmas: Help Wanted could be renamed to Christmas: Scabs Wanted, because Santa was looking for helpers to cross the picket line and save Christmas.
The set was decked out in brightly-colored Christmas décor that immersed us in holiday theming and disguised a rather oblong space. We happily raced back and forth solving cute, fanciful puzzles, focused on quickly completing the holiday to-dos. Only one puzzle gave us trouble due to ambiguous cluing, but we figured it out after a few tries. As a classic escape room with a family-friendly focus, the puzzles were familiar and not overly ambitious. Still, we found moments of surprise and delight.
Playing a Christmas-themed escape room in December is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends during the holidays. But playing the same room in July is special in its own way, infusing a bit of holiday cheer into the long, hot summer months. Beat the holiday rush, and play Christmas: Help Wanted anytime you need a little Christmas in your life.
Who is this for?
- Fans of Christmas-themed rooms
- Newbies
- Young players and those young-at-heart
- Players who are not in the Elf union
Why play?
- Fun puzzles with a holiday theme
- To get on Santa’s good side
- Because you need a little Christmas
Story
Santa’s elves were gearing up for another busy holiday season when they decided enough was enough. After their list of holiday-infused demands was ignored, they went on strike. We had crossed the elf picket line and agreed to get the presents ready and shipped out in order to save Christmas.
Setting
The set was inviting, with a brightly-colored path that led past a grove of decorated Christmas trees. Piles of wrapped packages, shiny garland, and other festive décor confirmed that it was the holiday season.
Gameplay
Breaking Point’s Christmas: Help Wanted was a standard escape room with a low level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ The set design was festive and consistent throughout, and though every inch was decorated, it never seemed cluttered. Bold color choices were fun and added to the overall aesthetic. There were a few props we’d seen used in other Christmas escape rooms, and we assumed we knew how to use them, but… we were wrong.
➕ Puzzles were highly-themed, using items commonly associated with the holidays in fun and creative ways. One memorable puzzle included humorous embellishments. We spent a few extra minutes appreciating these funny touches.
➖ One puzzle was located in a dark corner, making it hard to see some of the components. A strategically-placed light would have helped.
➕ Strong feedback for certain puzzles kept us focused on the task at hand and kept our momentum going.
➖ We struggled with solving a logic-based puzzle, as we interpreted one of the clues differently than intended. Trying a different approach finally gave us the correct answer.
➕ Christmas: Help Wanted was designed as a family-friendly experience. Some puzzles had tactile components and large, sturdy props appropriate for kids. It also included puzzles that offered a bit more challenge or were placed too high for young players. It was designed as a game where everyone could contribute.
❓The thought of crossing a picket line to save Christmas gave us pause for just a moment. I mean, who doesn’t want to support the elves? Although we ultimately celebrated our victory, we hoped Santa would quickly settle with the strikers.
Tips For Visiting
- There is a parking lot.
Book your hour with Breaking Point’s Christmas: Help Wanted, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Breaking Point provided discounted tickets for this game.