Category: Captured LV Bethlehem

Captured LV Bethlehem – The Pirate’s Chamber [Review]

by Matthew Stein, posted in Captured LV Bethlehem, Reviews

Take a stab at it.

Location:  Bethlehem, PA

Date Played: July 25, 2021

Team Size: 2-5; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $28.50 per player

Ticketing: Private

Game Breakage: Yes – prop maintenance issues

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Pirate’s Chamber seemed like it would have been a great room back when it opened in 2016, but in large part due to insufficient upkeep, it hasn’t quite stood the test of time. Everything about the room felt dated — from its somewhat sparse set dressing to its gameplay style. We enjoyed the puzzles in Pirate’s Chamber, but our overall experience was colored by the fact that many of the props we interacted with were literally falling apart.

A severed hand chained to a wooden gate.

If you’re in the area, I recommend checking out Captured LV Bethlehem’s newer, more polished offerings: The Haunted Theatre and The Mayan Temple.

Who is this for?

  • Any experience level
  • Puzzle lovers
  • Aspiring buccaneers
Continue reading “Captured LV Bethlehem – The Pirate’s Chamber [Review]” →

Captured LV Bethlehem – The Haunted Theater [Review]

by Andrew Reynolds, posted in Captured LV Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Reviews

Someone left the ghost light on…

Location:  Bethlehem, PA

Date Played: July 25, 2021

Team Size: 4-7; we recommend 2-6 (though the current minimum booking is 4 players)

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $28.50 per player; minimum of 4 players

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: One step, not necessary for all players

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Captured LV’s latest game at their Bethlehem, PA location might be new, but the game itself is a spooky time capsule taking you back to the 1920s. The designers of The Haunted Theater clearly wanted to evoke the creepiness inherent in an abandoned and possibly haunted location. I believe they achieved that through a mix of sound, lighting, and possibly some supernatural help.

A well-lit makeup mirror over a desk backstage at a theatre.

The Haunted Theater was an entertaining room to be in, and I would have liked to have played longer. Admittedly, our team of three set the top time for escaping, but we did this without trying for it. This isn’t an attempt at a humblebrag; it’s just to point out that there was some more time and underutilized space to incorporate another puzzle or two.

Not only were most of the puzzles very on-theme for a spooky theater back room, but every puzzle in The Haunted Theater was fun to work through. Each team member went back to a device that had been used already just to play with it. The experience as a whole was very enjoyable. There were almost always multiple puzzles open to solve at any time, allowing each player to stay busy and engaged in the game. If you’re in the area, this is a game worth checking out.

Who is this for?

  • Story seekers
  • Scenery snobs
  • Musical theater fans
  • Any experience level
  • Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle
Continue reading “Captured LV Bethlehem – The Haunted Theater [Review]” →

Captured LV Bethlehem – The Mayan Temple [Review]

by Matthew Stein, posted in Captured LV Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Reviews

It’s not the end of the world if you escape.

Location:  Bethlehem, PA

Date Played: July 25, 2021

Team Size: 6-10; we recommend 4-8

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $28.50 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: Brief flashing lights

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The Mayan Temple was expansive, transportive, and just plain fun. This room absolutely nailed the film-like ancient temple aesthetic, with a polished, caringly hand-crafted build quality. The puzzles were solidly designed, encouraged regular collaboration and communication, and naturally kept us spread throughout the room. A few puzzles led to satisfyingly visual reveals, even when those ahas were somewhat predictable to seasoned players.

The Mayan Temple is a standout choice for large groups, alongside The Island in Captured LV’s Allentown location. Both rooms felt like party rooms — with eye-catching sets and plenty of space to move around — while also still filled with substantive and varied gameplay.

Stone walls and a maze of some sort in a temple covered in ivy.

Who is this for?

  • Puzzle lovers
  • Scenery snobs
  • Any experience level
  • Large groups
  • Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle
Continue reading “Captured LV Bethlehem – The Mayan Temple [Review]” →