Author: Lisa Spira

This one goes up to 99

Location:  Natick, MA

Date Played: July 10, 2021

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

Duration: as long as you want

Price: $29.99 per player for 2 hours, $39.99 per player for 4 hours, or $49.99 per player for all day

Ticketing: Public

Accessibility Consideration: not everything will be accessible to everyone, mostly due to physical elements

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

If Level99 had existed in the Natick Mall when I was a teenager, I would have asked my parents to take me there every week. If it had existed when I was home on college break, I would have taken myself there far too often. I grew up outside of Boston. I embodied that (not so rare, it seems) combination of athlete and nerd. Level99 would have been my paradise.

Level99

That said, Level99 wasn’t perfect. My initial reaction was one of confusion and disorientation. I didn’t understand the currencies, or most of what was going on on the room check-in panels. Without a mental map of the space or a clear way to reference the rooms, I would point vaguely in a direction (that might be a bit off) and say something like “the one where we pushed buttons” to explain where I thought our group should go next. We’d been exploring for more than 2 hours before we could start making intentional decisions. Level99 had a steep learning curve.

However, even as we pieced together what felt a bit like a mystery box, we were having a ton of fun.

My take on much of our confusion is that Level99 is still figuring out exactly what Level99 is, and how to communicate that to their players. I expect them to improve as they get a better handle on what the beast that they have built even is. This is natural when innovating new structures and ways to play.

We spent a full day at Level99. We tried every room that was open, competed on every arena stage, completed almost every scavenger hunt, and enjoyed the food and beer. We loved the discovery, and so many of the challenges. I learned that my body isn’t as talented with monkey bars as it was 15 years ago, but also, that that’s totally ok, because Level99 had a lot to offer even after we’d reached our physical limits. In this way, it was more inclusive than I’d ever expected.

If you enjoy puzzles, physical challenges, art, food, beer, or discovery, give Level99 at least half a day (4-hour ticket) and surrender to this weird world where time disappears and fun remains.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Athletes (for some challenges)
• Any experience level (but experience certainly helps)

Why play?

• Impressive volume and variety of play, with intellectual and physical challenges
• A beautiful and fun environment
• Replayability
• The food and drink were fantastic