RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 5:34
There’s just no burden quite like being the only living heir to a wealthy – but cursed – family.
Centuries ago, Mulberry Manor was built as a gift from Edward Mulberry to his wife and children. But in October of 1871, Edward and his children were killed in a cold-blooded massacre; their bodies torn to pieces and scattered throughout the manor. Any who dare to enter since suffered the same short lived fate. You are the only living descendant to the Mulberry family, recently granted the estate. You have read the stories; you have heard the rumors; yet you enter with the wish to amass your fortune. Standing in the very place each victim drew their final breaths, an ominous presence overwhelms you. Desperately you search for a way out but your fate has been sealed; you are trapped; and the horror stories have turned into a nightmarish reality. Will you escape or become the next victim in this spine chilling horror story?
This isn’t just another ‘spend the night in an abandoned old manor and inherit its fortunes‘ story; this Haunted House carries a terrible curse linked directly to a family lineage that has but one living descendent remaining. The massacre was gruesome, but somehow remains shrouded in mystery. Just what did happen that chilling October night in 1871? And why do rumors persist that any who try to uncover the truth will themselves be doomed to repeat it?
There’s only one way to find out. It’s time to enter the dilapidated, dusty remains of Mulberry Manor to solve this centuries old ancestral mystery once and for all. In what gruesome ways did each member of the family perish that faithful night? And, perhaps more importantly, is there any way to stop the evil force that willed it to be before it kills again, ending this long lineage once and for all?
It’s instantly apparent upon entering Mulberry Manor that this old family home has seen better days. Beginning in a once lavish library parlor, the juxtaposition between glamor and gloom hangs heavy in the air. Sepia-toned photos from days long past give a haunting look into the family’s lives – before they each reached their grim ends. The once golden frames, now tarnished and worn hang upon ornate wallpaper shredded to reveal the lath boards beneath it.
Hidden passages secretly link different sections of the house in unexpected ways, each revealing its own ominous wrinkles in the tale of what really happened to the Mulberry family. The air quickly shifts from unsettled to unwelcoming – perhaps even cursed. That old saying “if these walls could talk…” could perhaps never be more true than here, because the terrors they’ve witnessed becomes tangibly apparent with each creaking door.
Escapology takes a far more immersive approach within Haunted House to craft a cohesive series of puzzles that not only link directly to the storyworld of the Mulberry family, but, in the process, enable descendants to finally uncover the secrets of just what happened to their ancestors way back in 1871. Nothing within these withered walls feels like a puzzle for puzzle’s sake; every task occurs for a clear reason, revealing the individual fates of Edward, his wife and children. In a way, these revelations offer peace to their tortured spirits.
Of course it all leads to uncovering the dark entity that’s wrought havoc upon the Mulberry lineage for centuries. With any luck, and a lot of clever thought, perhaps this perilous page of family history can finally be turned, once and for all.
Despite its omnipresent demonic dangers, each puzzle within Haunted House is logical, intuitive and satisfying. The clear link to the Mulberry family narrative makes puzzles themselves exciting plot points to uncover in a very real immersive storyworld.
Haunt House sets a new standard for Escapology experiences. From its thrilling narrative to its always story-driven puzzles, this game is as compelling as it is chilling.
Every hidden aspect within the walls of Mulberry Manor has raised the bar across the board for Escapology, but perhaps in no area is that more true than scenic. This is the purest form of reinventing the wheel for the brand, jamming multiple secret passages, surprising reveals and a completely unique layout into its small space. The result is in an experience so distinctly different from anything Escapology has produced to date, in all of the best possible ways.
The Mulberry family tree might grow out of the shadows of a darkly cursed place, but there’s just no mistake that Haunted House proves the future of Escapology is very bright. But still, maybe keep the candles lit in this old home – just in case.
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Venue: Escapology
Location: Orlando, FL
Number of Games: 11
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 8 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: $44.99 per person
We thank Escapology for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.
