Room Escape Artist

Nocturnal Keep is one of the best games in Massachusetts. Here are our other recommendations for great escape rooms in Massachusetts.

Stop! Blacksmith hammer time.

Location:  Mashpee Commons, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Date Played: January 20, 2025

Team size: 3-8; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 75 minutes

Price: $35-$45 per player depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration:  Players need to be able to duck under a lower doorway.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

I’m always up for a castle adventure. I like this theme because it often combines a large scale with intricate beauty and magical interactions. I get to feel heroic. Nocturnal Keep checked all these boxes.

The set was the star of this game. With stone walls and stained glass windows, this set evoked a castle. Many of the props had heft, which also added to the environment. However, others were a little too small or under designed. My favorite props were the most magical ones. I adored when we imbued a certain object with magical powers.

This game would be a great entry point for new players. It had a gentle onramp and built to more complex puzzles. The puzzles required collaboration, and offered opportunities for multiple players to get involved. While there was room to better indicate what had already been solved, the room generally flowed smoothly.

For more experienced players, I recommend Nocturnal Keep if you, too, love castle adventures. But while you are at Upside Down Escape Games, don’t miss The Mole of the Mountain, which embodies the theme you never knew you needed in your life.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• D&D fans
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• A strong castle set
• Solid puzzles
• Interesting effects

Story

The wizard Owlazar had hired us to uncover the secrets of the castle known as Nocturnal Keep.

Setting

The set was the star of Nocturnal Keep. The puzzle-laden castle environment was convincing and compelling, with some solid practical effects that gave it a bit of life. No matter where you looked, there was something interesting to take in, even if it was just the texture and painting of the walls.

Gameplay

Upside Down Escape Games’ Nocturnal Keep was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around observing, making connections, and solving puzzles.

Analysis

➕/➖ The set was large and clearly evoked a castle with its stone walls, dark wood furnishings, and arched stained glass windows. The sconces were right at home. That said, the space felt a little sparse. There was opportunity for some props and interactions to have a grander presence.

➕/➖ We enjoyed how the space expanded, which we expect will surprise and delight many teams. That said, this reveal left the space divided in a way that some players will find makes the gameplay more arduous.

➕/➖ The wizard of this castle was hilarious. We also appreciated that his presence was not just for story, theme, and humor. However, the audio was strangely robotic, which took away from the character.

➕ The early game flowed really well, with a smooth onramp. The puzzles were well clued and the solves were clear. As the game progressed, the puzzles became increasingly complex, while still being approachable and collaborative.

➕/➖ Later on, and the game opened up and there were many different puzzles in play. These were varied and sometimes more challenging. Each person on the team seemed to especially enjoy the one they solved, so it was a balanced set of puzzles! That said, there was an opportunity to more clearly indicate which puzzles had already been solved.

➕ Our favorite interaction transformed an otherwise regular prop (albeit one of unusual size) into a magical item. We all loved taking a swing at this puzzle.

➖ While most of the props were thematic, in one instance, Upside Down Escape Games could swap out laminated paper and simple items for parchment or hide, perhaps, and fancier pieces, better suited to the castle environment.

➕ The ending was dramatic. It punctuated our adventure pointedly.

➕ Upside Down Escape Games themes the entryway to their games. It’s an extra detail that elevated this game and their others as well. 

Tips For Visiting

• They are located in Mashpee Commons, among shops and restaurants, and plenty of parking.
• We enjoyed dinner at Estia and cupcakes at Cupcake Charlie’s.

Book your hour with Upside Down Escape Games’ Nocturnal Keep, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Upside Down Escape Games comped our tickets for this game.