Room Escape Artist

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Mounting excitement

Location:  Paris, France

Date Played:  March 31, 2025

Team Size:  2-5; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 90 minutes

Price:  €48 – €75 per person, depending on team size

Ticketing:  Private

Accessibility Consideration:  There is a flight of stairs within the game; not accessible to people with mobility issues

Emergency Exit Rating:  [A] Push To Exit

Physical Restraints:  [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

With three unique games taking place in the imagined City of Martyrs, Deep Inside has created what may be the most immersive escape room world I have ever experienced. Theirs was a fully-realized concept, complete with plausible backstory, a newspaper (only available in French), beautifully developed sets, and in-world characters that engaged us, sometimes amazed us, and at times just appeared ad hoc to build upon the notion of an inhabited city. 

The Taxidermist began from the moment we entered a cozy bookstore looking for a specific tome to add to our collection. Soon we were led below the streets of Paris – figuratively – and into the City of Martyrs, a dimly-lit space with narrow streets partially obscured by fog. As we entered the Taxidermist shop, we couldn’t help but notice the details: preserved animals and birds on display everywhere and the dramatic costuming of the shopkeeper. We were intrigued.

There was a nice variety of puzzles, some task-based, some logical, interspersed by fun aha moments and dramatic special effects. Most solved smoothly, except for one puzzle where we missed an obvious prop. And the in-world hint system worked well until a late-game puzzle when we couldn’t hear the hints during a particularly intense – and very loud – segment. 

But it was the narrative that took center stage, with pauses in puzzling for interactive story development; this element added special meaning and purpose to our game. We were no longer just visitors, we were part of their world. It was pretty impressive. The finale landed with depth and nuance and emotion; it was hard to pull away when it was over.

This was our second descent into the City of Martyrs, having played The Magician of Paris and The Funhouse on a prior trip. All three are must-play experiences, and we can’t wait for another chance to be immersed in this sub-Parisian world.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Story seekers
• Scenery snobs
• Subterranean city dwellers
• Fans of immersive experiences
• Players with some experience

Why play?

• Detailed, immersive set
• Intriguing costumes
• Theatrical actor interactions
• Compelling story

Story

There exists an underground city, thirty meters below the streets of Paris, that is accessible only through secret entrances by those who know. Deep Inside’s bookstore is one of those entrances to the City of Martyrs. It is mostly abandoned, but still inhabited by some of society’s outcasts, the Martyrs. 

We were sent to the city to solve the mystery of what had happened to Adèle, the governor’s young daughter, who vanished without a trace, last seen with the local taxidermist. With a reward on our minds, we started our investigation at the Taxidermist shop. 

Setting

The game began at the Taxidermist’s shop, filled with a menagerie of animals, frozen in lifelike poses, with glassy eyes staring at nothing. The shopkeeper, dressed in a flowing red robe and a startling mask that hid their true features, observed us from behind a counter.

Gameplay

The Taxidermist was a blend of immersive theater and escape room, with a moderate level of difficulty. 

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observation, making connections, puzzling, and interacting with in-world actors.

Analysis

➕ The Taxidermist set itself apart by building a robust environment, complete with minor characters that were not always integral to gameplay. It felt like a living, breathing city and not a static game space.

➕ A theatrical opening sequence pulled us into the story from the start, establishing the mission and our roles within the game.

➕ Characters were disguised through elaborate costuming and tech, resulting in a coherent experience. We could tell they all belonged in this strange world. At one point, we were unexpectedly pulled into an interaction, leading to moments of humor and surprise. It was magic.

➕ The set was elaborate and detailed, encompassing a large, fully built-out space that made us want to explore further.

➖ That said, one area stood out as it lacked the same level of decor as the rest of the game; it felt underdone compared to the majority of the set.

➕ We were captivated during one part of the game as we learned more of the story and its characters. Delivered through creative story-telling as well as puzzles, it pulled on our emotions and was my favorite moment of the game.

➖ We struggled with a key late-game puzzle in which we didn’t understand the cluing between three separate props. We asked for a hint, but the loud background music made it difficult to hear clearly; it was frustrating and felt like it went on too long.

😱 While not horror, the game contains dark themes and can feel ominous at times. See content warnings under Tips for Visiting. 

ℹ️ Deep Inside offers two other games, The Magician of Paris and The Funhouse, that take place in the same underground world. They can be played either as standalone games or as a connected experience under the title, The Full Experience.

Tips For Visiting

• Deep inside is easily accessible via the extensive Paris Metro, use the Stalingrad station, exit 6. There is also a Vélib’ Métropole bike-sharing station in front of the entrance.
• Playable in French or English.

Book your hour with Deep Inside’s The Taxidermist, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.