Room Escape Artist

A Universe of epic proportions

Location: Madrid (Algete), Spain

Date Played: May 22, 2026

Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 150 minutes

Price: €55 – €140 per person, depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: Players need to manage stairs, crouch, manage small spaces & uneven flooring, motion effects

Emergency Exit Rating: [A] Push To Exit

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

https://youtube.com/shorts/jSVQxQwfsNM

REA Reaction

Magic Universe took my breath away. Not just once, but again and again.

The size and scale of this incredibly immersive world, an age-old story of good vs evil, and so many jaw-dropping “Wow!” moments all combined to make an impressive adventure that was, in a word, magical.

Though heavily inspired by a certain not-to-be-named wizarding world, there was a significant amount of original content that veered away from those familiar tropes and storylines. Multiple times, we were surprised by recognizable settings that played out completely independent of that lore. 

Gameplay took place across a massive 1,000 square meters, with grand sets that took full advantage of the space, both horizontally and vertically. As a small team, we easily could have gotten lost or overwhelmed with such a large footprint. But through the use of visual tricks and unusual perspectives, some areas felt surprisingly intimate, especially when we were engaging with actors. It was unlike anything I’d experienced before. One early moment was so impressive from our vantage point, we could only stop in our tracks and stare; another created the illusion of a much different, taller space. Then there were the many small details that made the environment and characters feel so real – the glazing on a window, aged vines growing on a fence, detailed embroidery of a costume. It was pure eye candy.

Puzzles were original, often whimsical, and involved the set in unexpected and delightful ways. It was such a joy to look at a set piece, and then realize, oh, we actually get to play with that! Impressive special effects made us ooh and ahh more times than I can count. Not all puzzles landed with us – one seemed really out of place and clunky – but these were the exception. The final puzzle sequence appeared impressive at first glance, but was noticeably weak compared to the rest of the experience.

When we weren’t solving puzzles, riveting actor-driven scenes and interactions progressed the narrative, drawing us deeper into the emotional tale, making us a part of this universe. Though a strong narrative was established early on, and we became invested in the story, the narrative tapered off as the game progressed, with the finale lacking an emotional punch to tie it all together.

This experience was designed by the creative team at Mad Mansion, who have had a hand in some of Spain’s best award-winning games. It felt like they put into this game everything they learned along the way. Some scenes were so elaborate and inclusive, they could have been standalone games by themselves. Not every game can be as big of an experience as Magic Universe, nor should they try to be. Some of my favorite rooms are tiny and built on a much smaller budget. But when a game of this incredible size and scope comes along, it’s really something special.

Mad Land delivered a one-of-a-kind game you just have to experience. There are so many great games throughout Spain that have made the country a must-visit for players, and now Mad Land’s Magic Universe has to be considered a contender for the top destination on everyone’s global list. 

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Fans of wizarding worlds
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Incredible immersion
• Large-scale, gorgeous sets
• Numerous impressive reveals
• To be wowed

Story

We’d heard about Harrenfall, “a world that exists nowhere else.” We soon found that our journey would take us to this magical place filled with secrets and surprises.

Setting

Our journey to the magical land of Harrenfall began in a small, moonlit courtyard in front of a castle-like building. A tall stone and metal fence edged the courtyard, keeping the surrounding greenery at bay. Arched windows on the second floor were lit from the inside. It seemed both foreboding and welcoming, making us wonder what was ahead for us to explore.

Gameplay

Mad Land’s Magic Universe was an epic escape-room adventure with a moderate level of difficulty. 

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and puzzling, all within a story-driven experience. Gameplay involved some interactions with actors, plus dramatic cut-scene performances.

Analysis

➕ Parts of the story were told through high-energy, cinematic acting sequences and over-the-top special effects that took place all around us. The actors gave exceptional performances. The drama and excitement created by these actors made it all feel real; we were live witnesses to the unfolding history of Harrenfall. 

➕ Light and sound effects enhanced some of the more striking reveals, proudly showing off the incredible sets while creating truly memorable moments. But not all effects were big and breathtaking; some drew our attention with the smallest sounds or movements, and these were just as mesmerizing. 

➕/➖ A compelling narrative about good vs. evil was featured prominently in the first half of the game, but became muddied and less pronounced as the game progressed.

➕ We were delighted by whimsical puzzles in an early section that involved a cheeky actor and an enchanting bit of transformative magic.

➕ We encountered one delightful, highly-detailed space that had some of our favorite puzzles, including a well-constructed challenge, another that screamed for our attention, and a cool special effect we didn’t expect.

➕/➖ One scene was absolutely enchanting; unfortunately, our position in the space and the angle of the display made viewing a bit awkward.

➕ Many puzzles utilized unique set pieces that are usually of the “look, but don’t touch” variety, yet we were encouraged to engage with them, often in unusual ways. It was such a joy to handle these items as part of gameplay and affect the setting around us in small (and sometimes large) ways. 

➖ The finale contained a large-scale puzzle that lacked direction. As we tried to figure it out through trial and error, we triggered the effect almost immediately, as there was no logic to the solution.

🇪🇸 Magic Universe was created by the team at Mad Mansions, designers of a number of Spain’s best escape games, including A Legendary Adventure, You’ll Dream Too, Project DCrisis, Space Base: Extermination, and Night of the Meteor. (Reviews coming soon.) 

⏳ Despite a runtime of 150 minutes, the time flew by and we would have loved to linger even longer in Harrenfall. According to the website, two additional paths are being developed, with plans to create additional characters and spaces that will further the story. We can’t wait to return! 

Tips For Visiting

• The game is available in Spanish and English.
• Mad Land is located in Algete, about 30 minutes drive from the center of Madrid. Parking is available on site. 
• Several bus routes stop at P. I. Río Janeiro, only a 2-minute walk to the entrance. The town of Algete does not have its own Cercanías (commuter rail) or Metro station. We took the train to the closest station and used rideshare the rest of the way.

Book your time with Mad Land’s Magic Universe, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.