Room Escape Artist

Teleporter Trials is one of the best escape rooms in Sumter, South Carolina. Here are our recommendations for great escape rooms in the area.

Out of this World

Location:  Sumter, SC

Date Played: May 4, 2024

Team Size: 2-6; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $30 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: One person has to crawl, at least one player needs to go up and down stairs

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

As escape room enthusiasts, we are always on the lookout for a hidden gem, a game that exceeds expectations and is somewhat flying under the radar, and that’s exactly what we found with Teleporter Trials. It didn’t have an ultra-polished set or over-the-top special effects, but it was a well-thought-out game with an inventive set, a few surprises, clever puzzles, and a charming story that had us happily puzzling until the very end. 

The start of the game was a creative transition into the story that moved us from our earthbound introduction into the heart of an interactive extraterrestrial experience. The futuristic setting had a homemade look and feel and was creatively designed in a way that made it feel bigger than it actually was. Each new space was fun to discover and explore.

The game was packed with imaginative puzzles that involved unfamiliar components in unusual ways – which made sense since they were not from this planet. Many used straightforward concepts yet still offered a nice challenge to interpret props and make connections. One mechanic I’d seen many times before was so well-integrated, it actually felt new and different. Of all the puzzles, we only struggled with one that was finicky and did not go with the theme.

The word “charming” is not typically associated with a space-themed escape room, but that’s exactly how we would describe Teleporter Trials. The creativity displayed throughout this game was impressive. If you are anywhere near Sumter, SC, stop by Lock, Clock, and Peril and try out the new teleporter. I’m sure they have it working by now.  And if not, well, that’s even better.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Sci-Fi fans
• Best for players with at least some experience
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Unusual game start
• Imaginative set design
• Out-of-this-world puzzles

Story

A new teleporter had been developed to transport passengers between Earth and a space station. After animal trials were completed – with questionable success – they were now ready to start testing with a human crew. Our team was the first to volunteer. I was sure everything will work perfectly.

Setting

Set design was futuristic, with metallic gray walls, strange buttons and lights, and pops of color throughout. Nothing looked entirely familiar; we were definitely no longer on Earth.

Gameplay

Lock, Clock, and Peril’s Teleporter Trials was an extraterrestrial escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, making connections, and puzzling while traveling in space.

Analysis

➕ The start of the game was quirky and unexpected; it built anticipation as it pulled us into the experience.

➕ A well-constructed and inventive set offered interesting spaces to explore. We especially liked the areas that looked somewhat familiar, but contained unusual props that seemed alien to us.

➕ An entertaining narrative integrated nicely with both set and puzzles; what we did had purpose, which didn’t dawn on us until later in the game. The finale was funny and charming.

➖ We struggled to hear a key audio segment towards the latter part of the game.

➕ The gamemaster’s video camera was cleverly integrated with both set and story while still being effective in monitoring our progress. 

➕ Puzzles were creative and designed with the theme in mind. They were not always obvious, and the payoff for figuring them out was satisfying.

➖ One puzzle was difficult to solve, even though we knew exactly what to do. After numerous attempts we finally bypassed it. It was a minor puzzle and could easily be removed or re-engineered without affecting the experience.

🙂 Simple bonus tasks in every game at Lock, Clock, and Peril led us to a prize station that kids (and grownup kids) will adore. I got a duck!

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot

Book your hour with Lock, Clock & Peril’s Teleportal Trials, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Lock, Clock & Peril comped our tickets for this game.