RATING: 6 Keys          RESULT: Win          REMAINING: 3:15

So, about that Demon that tried to kill us last time… that was just a misunderstanding, right?

The Beast is a remote play version of two existing, physical escape games at the venue’s brick and mortar location – retrofitted to be offered as a single live, online experience. Although altered slightly to better flow in this new medium, the games are, at their core, essentially the same as pieces of what guests will find should they visit Poltergeist and Conjure at Emergency Exit in person. To read our Pro-Tips on how to best enjoy this new Remote Play genre, click here.

After the disappearance of one of the “in:THEORY Ghost Tour” crew, you make the tough decision to return to the evil house ‘Crowley Manor’.

But was it a mistake to think you could escape for a second time?

The knowledgeable tour guide, Ronnie, feels terrible about what happened to his trusty cameraman Liam. Just downright awful. Really.

You see, on their last venture into the historic Crowley Manor on our behalf, things went… how shall we say this… sideways.

But being the good friend and gentleman he is, Ronnie had to make an attempt to save his partner. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, he has his remote team of paranormal investigators by his side once again, conferencing in to help guide him through… or at least to call the authorities when something bad happens. But nothing bad will happen this time. After all, lighting, a.k.a demonic attacks in a creepy haunted mansion, doesn’t strike the same place twice. Right?

Ronnie gains access back into Crowley Manor via a likely dangerous to climb though broken window. Immediately upon reentering the home he encounters the lifeless body of his trusty cameraman, Liam. Thinking a quick rescue mission is going flawlessly, Ronnie turns to drag Liam back out through the window, but after some thunderous claps and flashing lights, the opening through which he entered has instantaneously transformed to be completely boarded up. Nailed shut. Impenetrable.

Turns out lightning can in fact strike the same place twice. Great.

As was learned in their previous misadventure, Crowley Manor was once a place of high society that has been weathered down by the never ending drum beat of time. Crumbling walls and ceiling which appear like they may give out at any time seem clearly dangerous, but unfortunately those are the least of the team’s worries inside this insidious home.

Ronnie finds Liam on the floor of what appears to be a child’s bedroom. Large, wooden furniture lines the outer perimeter of the space. Peeling wallpaper clings to a beaten up wall as lights flicker on and off. The visual disrepair of the Manor is so evident that remote investigators can almost smell just how decrepit this place truly is.

As the pair venture deeper into the totally not cursed building, the scenic only grows more and more demonic.

Along the way, incredibly well timed and seamlessly patched cut scenes blend the live feed from Ronnie’s phone with visions of true horror. The scenic takes on an almost horror film-esque style as the evil forces within Crowley Manor torment and terrify Ronnie and Liam.

Thankfully the remote investigation team is safely outside the reach of these demons. Right?

Crowley Manor proved to have all sorts of nefarious roadblocks keeping mere mortals trapped inside last time the team braved entering. Surely this time things will be no different.

The first of such challenges comes immediately after the window mysteriously transforms into a completely sealed off continuation of the wall. Ronnie must figure out how to escape the creepy bedroom so that he can progress deeper into the Manor, because that seems safe. Right?

Using items found around the child’s room, such as their totally not possessed dolls and toys, school books, and dreadfully un-cheery wall decor, the paranormal investigators might be able to summon the demon that is keeping them trapped inside.

In order to gain their freedom once again, the crew must control the evil presence and send it back to the underworld once and for all. Using plenty of observational skills paired with a healthy dose of mesmerizing magic, performing the ritual becomes a satisfyingly difficult challenge. But rest assured, if done so properly both Ronnie and Liam will make a safe escape. Right?

And as was mentioned previously, the remote investigators are completely, totally safe and out of reach from the demons which allows them to help guide Ronnie and Liam through the tasks uninterrupted. Totally.

Every puzzle that is thrown at the group works to further the immersion into Crowley Manor and the lure that surrounds it. Each step is completely intuitive as they flow logically through an ever advancing storyworld.

Much like our first encounter with the in:THEORY Ghost Tour crew, the adventure begins outside of Crowley Manor with Ronnie sitting inside his car. This introduction followed by the seamless transition into the mansion immediately immerses remote investigators into the rich storyworld that Emergency Exit has created. While this experience can be played as a stand alone game, it is deeply connected to their other remote play option, The Exorcist. This only works to further the sense of realism for those who had previously helped Ronnie escape the Manor.

Once inside, the scenic quality complements the narrative richness by truly evoking the sense of a crumbling, possibly (read: definitely) haunted house. While the physical set is incredibly detailed and well crafted, it is the professionally produced videos and cut scenes that blur the line between reality and cinematic masterpiece. At times it becomes a challenge all in it’s own to determine if what is coming across the screen is happening in real time or not. This flawless execution makes The Beast, like its predecessor Exorcist, one of the more immersive, narrative driven, and engaging Remote Play experiences we’ve encountered.

The puzzles intertwine with the storyworld in a very believable fashion. Challenges the team face make perfect sense given the desperate situation they are in. With an intuitive flow from one task to the next, the game takes on a truly immersive horror film vibe. The climax of the experience proved to be one of the most confusing (in a good way), interactive, and unexpected moments to be had within Crowley Manor – literally bringing the demon straight in to the remote teams homes!

Emergency Exit has packed it all into The Beast. Great story, top tier scenic, challenging puzzles, and a twist ending make this a must-see Remote Play experience!

*Montu, Escape Authority’s VP, Dog Business™ and lead home game correspondent endorses the opinions found within this review.

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Venue: Emergency Exit

Location: Remote online play at home, broadcast live from Ashton-under-Lyne, England

Number of Remote Games: 2

GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Duration: 90 minutes

Capacity: 6 connections

Group Type: Private  / You will not be paired with strangers.

Cost: £100 per group

We thank Emergency Exit for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.