Review: Monkey Mind Escape Rooms

RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 32:52

Fun fact: When someone angers the spirit of a long dead pharaoh, he can and will curse them!

Story

In this award-winning, Hollywood-style adventure, enter an Egyptian tomb to find the Scarab of Life and return it to the Pharaoh’s chest! A thrilling and immersive adventure.

Picture it: Egypt. 1907. A team of archeologists discovered the tomb of the pharaoh Akhenaten, the infamous father to young King Tut, in a hidden pyramid. Upon entering the burial chamber, they were greeted with the sarcophagus of the ancient ruler. As is often the case with such tales, a greedy member of the expedition decided to open the casing of the deceased to rob the grave, removing the sacred Scarab of Life from the chest of the mummy. Akhenaten’s spirit was angered by the theft and placed a curse on all who enter his hallowed grave: in order to leave, the artifact must be returned to his body or all intruders will be trapped inside for the rest of their lives!

Jumping ahead to the 21st century, the vault has been rediscovered and not a single person thought it would be a bad idea to explore the enclosure! What could possibly go wrong? In modern times, the journey begins at a base camp to learn the history of the dig site before a new round of brave explorers follow in the fated footsteps from over a hundred years ago. As they say, history does have a habit of repeating itself… but this time, the team aims to lift the curse and free all spirits trapped inside.

Scenic

Before entering the crypt, the expedition must first receive their briefing. The campsite entrance is very nicely done; the lighting is low and similar to what it will be within the burial chamber. There are also lanterns available at a similar brightness to help vision without overpowering. Additionally, the party can stay at camp to strategize for as long as they need to, as the clock timing the curse does not start until the tomb is entered.

The whole presentation is well put together. The background in Hollywood set design comes through very clearly. Lighting is well utilized to highlight and shadow areas to emphasize or hide certain sections of this royal grave. The walls are filled top to bottom with hieroglyphics. The focal point in the center of the room is the sarcophagus which gives a menacing aura whilst still leaving ample space for researchers to safely maneuver around the rest of the enclosure.

Throughout the experience, there is a low rumbling ambiance that adds to the oppressive nature of being entombed with an eons old mummy. The soundtrack and sound effects used to nudge less observant scientists are well hidden and angled in a way to be heard by all individuals.

There is, however, one door located in the tomb that is from modern times and is not dressed or painted in any capacity. Since the game is incredibly immersive and brings the daring adventures into the storyworld, this door doesn’t just stand out; it screams LOOK AT ME! and breaks the suspension of disbelief. It’s a very surprising miss considering the level of care and detail that went into every other visual aspect.

Puzzles

The puzzles present within the tomb are well connected to the plot. However, the number of actual solutions to provide is very small. What’s nice is that no two challenges are the same. And, in sticking close to the thematic elements to the storyworld, there are zero tumbler or key locks; everything that is needed is housed within or is part of the scenery itself.

A part of the attention to detail in these puzzles is ensuring accessibility. One of the physical tasks requires multiple individuals to solve, but if the exploration party is short a few heads, there is a prop provided to ensure everyone can complete it without needing outside assistance or guidance.

Overall

The Cursed Tomb is visually stunning. The set was built by seasoned scenic professionals, the lighting is carefully leveled and planned, and the sound design creates a truly immersive experience… which is why the few elements that do not, stand out SO loudly.

The special effects that trigger when accomplishments are achieved are very exciting and may cause a few jump scares, making this a fun adventure for a spooky night out. For example: there is a moment where a fog machine is used that can catch unsuspecting detectives off guard, but the effect is masterful and delivers the perfect punch of polished precision.

While the amount of puzzles to solve is low, each one is well crafted and supported by the plot of the story. It does leave the explorers wishing there was more to do…but maybe an extended stay in the crypt of a long forgotten pharaoh miiiiight not be the best choice.