Room Escape Artist

Deliver us from Evil

Location:  Bridgeport, Connecticut

Date Played: December 7, 2024

Team size: up to 12; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $30 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration:  While the lobby is wheelchair accessible, the game is up a few stairs.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

With Invasion, Mind Factory Escape Games has established itself in the Connecticut escape room market.

The puzzles had something to offer all types of players: from more basic observation to more complex layered solves. Moreover, the solves were events.

Then this imposing demon delivered an exciting finale.

Mind Factory Escape Games has room to level up, especially in creating ambiance without darkness, building tension, and weaving their detailed backstory more fluidly into the gameplay. There are lots of details to improve upon, but the bones of a strong escape room company are clearly present.

That said, Invasion was a big step up from their original game Breathless, and we look forward to their next experience opening. They care a lot about what they are building. If you are in the area, check them out.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Fans of demonic powers
• Any experience level

Why play?

• A gorgeous demon
• Satisfying solves

Story

As agents of Mind Factory, we entered an abandon factory where evil entities were lurking. We needed to weaken them and recover a key.

Setting

The factory was dark. At the entrance there were shelves, lockers, and assorted props. As we made our way in, we met a life-sized demon and more intriguing props, likely related to demonic power.

Gameplay

Mind Factory Escape Games’ Invasion was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and solving puzzles. While some sequences were straight observation, others necessitated more complex, layered solves.

Analysis

➕ The puzzles were varied in complexity and all were well-clued. They flowed well. We found some of them to be uninteresting, but fair. Others were a lot of fun to solve.

➕/➖ We appreciated a speaker phone, which allowed for us to collaborative solve one of the game’s more complex, layered sequences. That said, the sequence dragged a bit after the aha.

➕ Mind Factory Escape Games used technology to make the set pieces feel magical, and furthermore, to make events out of solves.

➖ The timing for these moments was occasionally a little off.

➕ One prop held a lot of information, but it was beautiful to behold and search through. It felt of the world.

➖ Invasion was dark. We carried (and used!) handheld flashlights the entire time. Spotlighting would have worked better.

➕/➖ The imposing demon was a magnificent set piece. It made the factory space into something more sinister. That said, because it was in the space with us for the entire game, it wasn’t as intimidating as it would have been had it just made an appearance. There was opportunity to use timing, plus a speaker or subwoofer to enhance the effect of this outstanding work of art.

➕/➖ The dramatic finale punctuated the experience well. Unfortunately, one player must miss the scene in order to complete the final in-game action. (We hear that this will be changed soon, so that nobody misses the finale.)

➖ Invasion was the dark middle chapter in Mind Factory Escape Games’ trilogy. While we appreciate that they have built a deep backstory around their games, the intro video had too much exposition – all of which had to be read, as there was no voiceover. We weren’t entirely following all the entities at play in this world. As a denouement, a video played, but the animation didn’t match the vibe of the experience. A voiceover would have been more impactful.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot.

Book your hour with Mind Factory Escape Games’ Invasion, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Mind Factory Escape Games comped our tickets for this game.