Hollywood-quality scenic can bring any compelling storyworld to life – but nothing energizes the best set pieces like an epic Hidden Reveal. Secret Passageways turn fantastical worlds into immersive escapes, allowing guests to quite literally get lost in their sense of adventure. But the very best Hidden Reveals have evolved far past a simple secret bookcase, and into genuinely jaw-dropping theatrical moments that will define the memories of any given experience.
Escape Authority is honored to announce our 2019 Keys To Greatness – Best Hidden Reveal winners:
Deep Space
(Albany, NY / Buffalo, NY / Syracuse, NY / West Nyack, NY)
Voyages into Deep Space blast off with a massive ‘wow!‘ factor, thanks to an epic hidden reveal that connects the preshow to the game itself in a most unconventional way. Inspired by arguably the single greatest themed attraction effect of all time, the teleporter from Star Trek: The Experience (an immersive attraction that operated to much acclaim at the Las Vegas Hilton from 1998-2008), 5 Wits guests are quite literally beamed aboard the USS Nebulous, only to find themselves right on the bridge of the ship floating through the dark recesses of the galaxy. There is perhaps no more impactful opening moment in any other game we’ve experienced – but don’t worry, even knowing that it’s coming will do little to prepare you for actually experiencing its epic execution first hand, setting the tone for a technological adventure through one of 5 Wits’ greatest attractions.
Click Here to read our full review of Deep Space.
Tomb of Anubis
(Baton Rouge, LA)
The very best Hidden Reveals are the ones you never see coming – and few will evoke the audible gasp that the massive Anubis statue is guaranteed to command. Seamlessly hidden and impeccably paced, this Hidden Reveal almost defines the entire expedition within Tomb of Anubis. Without question, it will catch even the most experienced players off guard. In an attraction that is already 13th Gate Escape’s most challenging game, perhaps the most difficult task of all is to regain focus and remember the sands of time are ticking away while all you really want to do is stare at the towering Egyptian God of the Dead with your jaws firmly planted at your feet.
Click Here to read our full review of Tomb of Anubis.
Espionage
(Foxborough, MA)
Easily a viable contender for Best Story, Best Use of Actors and Best Immersion, simply put, no other game comes close to the unprecedented wow factor of Espionage’s hidden reveal. 5 Wits takes immersive family attractions seriously – and there’s none that define their mantra any better than Espionage at Patriot’s Place. This hidden reveal is executed with such intricate attention to detail, on such a large scale, that it’s absolutely guaranteed to take even the most experienced of players and completely blow them away. You’ll be hard-pressed to ever evoke a greater feeling of “Wait, did that really just happen?!” It’s a cinematic bombshell surprise worthy of the greatest motion picture blockbusters, authentically executed right before your very eyes.
Click Here to read our full review of Espionage.
Congratulations to our winners of the first ever Keys To Greatness – Best Hidden Reveal award!
With nearly 1,000 games played across the site, being picked as one of the best three in the country is a well-earned honor to truly be proud of!
With so many deserving games worthy of recognition, our goal is to ensure these Keys To Greatness awards are attainable to all – not just those with blockbuster budgets that might be otherwise out of reach. As such, it’s important to note that with just one exception, a given game can only win in a single category – but every game will still be qualified to win the coveted Keys To Greatness – Best Game award on June 2, 2019.
*Although the games I’ve personally designed are consistently very highly rated by both enthusiasts and newer players alike, I cannot in good conscience nominate an attraction I created. As such, those games and the venues that call them home have been intentionally omitted from consideration for any Keys To Greatness award.
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