Halloween any time you want it
Location: San Antonio, TX
Date Played: August 25, 2023
Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $39.99 per player ($34.99 per player for more than 5)
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: N/A
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Horror on Hallows Eve captured the best of what Extreme Escapes has to offer. Its combination of eerie ambiance, approachable puzzles, and dramatic effects created a coherent experience that left people talking afterwards. We heard them, and then we were them.
Puzzlewise, the game ranged broadly from simply discovering hidden codes to an elaborate four-layered centerpiece puzzle with an unusual (but possibly finicky?) input mechanism. The rest fell in the middle of these extremes, using props and set interactions to good effect. Most were approachable and thematic, but the standouts asked us to think logically about our situation and act according. It was a solid puzzling experience.
In addition to spooky pumpkin-headed corpses, the room leaned heavily on lighting effects to sustain its ambiance, a choice that had pros and cons. The prevalent dim, swirling lighting made certain moments during the game that much more jarring, which was a big source of fun. However, as in most poorly lit rooms, the low, colored lighting interfered with puzzling, particularly when colors were involved. We enjoyed the dramatic moments enough to outweigh our annoyance with the lighting, but your mileage may vary.
What made this game notable in the area was its use of surprise to ramp up adrenaline. This is uncommon in central Texas, and it left an impression on us (and the team before us). The best games at both Extreme Escape locations have the most memorable moments, and this room joined that squad.
I’d recommend this any time of the year but especially as part of the Halloween season. Pair it with the Undead for a creepy double-feature, or check out Master of Illusions to experience the location’s best two games.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Scenery snobs
- Halloween fans
- Any experience level
Why play?
- For thrilling moments and surprises
- As part of celebrating the Halloween season, potentially as a double-feature with The Undead
Story
Every 33 years, someone dies at the Halloween House, and it’s that time of the century again. We somehow found ourselves there at exactly the wrong moment. There was no choice but to defeat the evil forces that were behind this terror.
Setting
The Halloween House was a spooky place bathed in red light and occupied by dead pumpkin-headed people. Our time there was punctuated with creepy effects and surprises.
Gameplay
Extreme Escape Colonnade’s Horror on Hallows Eve was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Gameplay involved searching, observing, and making connections.
Analysis
➕/➖ The ambiance was creepy and effectively created mood, but the lighting made puzzling difficult. Phone flashlights were allowed, but we had to manage some restrictions.
➕ Clues were often cleverly integrated into the set and props, requiring us to look beyond appearances.
➖ One puzzle seemed to have an arbitrary ordering to components.
➕ We enjoyed using props in logical ways to accomplish occasionally fantastical tasks.
➖ The room used dyed and/ or bleached liquid that we were warned to keep off our clothes. That wasn’t too difficult to accomplish, but I would have worn different clothes had I known the risk beforehand.
➕/➖ A late-game puzzle involved an invigorating number of layers and connections. I loved it conceptually, but it was complicated by lighting, ambiguities, and tech flakiness.
➕ The seemingly straightforward climactic puzzle required more mental flexibility than expected, increasing the satisfaction of a standard type of puzzle.
➕ The game built interest and momentum, ramping up drama throughout via music, effects, and surprises. The finale was exciting and memorable, a worthy conclusion to the experience.
Tips For Visiting
- There is plenty of parking.
- There are several chain restaurants in the area.
- Since this game takes place on Halloween, random costumes would fit the mood.
- There is a small amount of liquid that could stain clothes. You’ll probably be fine, but maybe don’t wear irreplaceable attire.
Book your hour with Extreme Escape Colonnade’s Horror on Hallows Eve, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Extreme Escape Colonnade provided media discounted tickets for this game.
