Category: Hourglass Escapes

Something’s fishy in Innsmouth…

Location: Seattle, WA

Date Played: July 8, 2022

Team Size: 4-8; we recommend 4-5

Duration: 70 minutes

Price: $45 per player

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

REA Reaction

When I first heard that Hourglass Escapes was creating a licensed escape room based on Fantasy Flight’s Arkham Horror, I knew I had to play it. I am a huge fan of these tabletop games and have spent many hours spawning cultists and battling Cthulhu. This escape room, Mystery at Innsmouth, centers around the dark and macabre secrets of H.P Lovecraft’s odd Massachusetts town. From the moment our team stepped into the game, we were immersed in this world, one that looked relatively familiar yet was slightly unnerving. The set design perfectly captured the griminess of Lovecraft’s Innsmouth, and we willingly became characters in the story.

Starting with the immersive introduction, I could tell a lot of thought went into game design and player experience. One early interaction with a set piece was surprisingly impressive, so simple but memorable in its precise execution. The puzzles, though not overly complex, were fun and made sense in the Arkham universe, ranging from basic and familiar to elaborate and fantastical. 

I was really impressed with the storytelling, which often takes a back seat in other games. As characters, we were repeatedly connected to the narrative, keeping the storyline front and center. We never forgot what part of the story we were in and what we were trying to do. My only disappointment was in the finale, which was rather abrupt and not at the same level as the rest of the game. In fact, a mid-game reveal was much more dramatic and unexpected.  

This is a must-play for fans of H.P. Lovecraft and Arkham Horror board games, as well as anyone who appreciates a strong narrative and attention to detail. Reading Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth prior to playing will only add to the experience.